Leslie Shankman-Cohn, FASID, NCIDQ, RID, CAPS, CGP is a partner in the firm of Jill Hertz Interior Design, a division of Eclectic Interiors located in Memphis, TN. She specializes in custom designed furniture; space planning; furnishings and finishes specifications; universal design; “Aging in Style”sm; and sustainable design issues.
Ms. Shankman-Cohn was recently inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She is a Registered Interior Designer by the State of Tennessee (RID); National Council of Interior Design Qualifications certified (NCIDQ); a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS); and a Certified Green Professional (CGP). She is a Past- President of the Tennessee Chapter of ASID, and the Past- President of the Tennessee Interior Design Coalition (TIDC). Besides being on the boards of two local non-profit environmental groups, she has served on the ASID’s national committee on “Aging in Place”. The governor of Tennessee appointed Ms. Shankman-Cohn in 2008 as the Interior Design representative on the Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners for the State of Tennessee (A&E), where she served until the end of July 2012. In addition, she was the Tennessee Delegate to the NCIDQ National Board and continues to participate in reviewing dossiers for the Broadly Experienced path to sit for the exam. She also teaches the CAPS and UD (Universal design) courses for the National Homebuilders Association (NHBA).
She recently served in an advisory capacity to the Plough Foundation, helping to implement a pilot program focused on Aging in Place for the City of Memphis. Additionally, Leslie hold the position of Treasurer on the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. She holds the position of the Vice Chair of the newly formed ASID Advocate by Design (AxD) Council which advocates and educates regarding the effects of constructed environments on life, health, safety, and welfare of all members of the general public. Additionally, as a member of the International Codes Council (ICC) she is involved in all manners of accessibility issues and the codes that affect them.
Leslie is the recipient of many design awards both statewide and national. These include the Showplace Cabinetry award for a Universal Design bathroom, several ASID TN Gold, Silver, and Best in Show awards for Accessible and Specialty Designs, and the NHBA “Homes for Life” award for an Accessible/Universal Design kitchen. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2006 Kenneth C Kimbrough Award of Excellence by the Tennessee Chapter of ASID, and the chapter’s 2005 Designer of the Year.
In addition to presenting continuing education programs to other professionals, writing articles for different publications, and giving lectures to various groups throughout the nation, Leslie has been interviewed on TV, radio, in local and national newspapers, magazines, and on the web. Her work has been featured in the books, Spectacular Homes of Tennessee, Gracious Living, and Independent for Life.
