New York 11 Plus | Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Ruth Lynford, Founder of NY11+

Ruth Lynford, FASID, IIDA, N.Y.S. Certified, Assoc. AIA, graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Washington University in 1946, and currently serves on their National Advisory Council. In 1984, she founded Interior Designers for Legislation in New York (IDLNY), an organization that in 1990 created the 33rd profession of Interior Design in New York State. Ruth was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1990, and received the Leadership Award of Excellence from IIDA NY in 2003.

Tania Branquinho, President

Assistant Chair, Pratt Institute

Tania Sofia Branquinho is an educator, artist, and designer with over 20 years of experience in architecture and interior design. Prior to forming bN-studio, she worked with a number of international architecture studios, including Rafael Vinoly. Her professional experience ranges from art installations to large-scale architectural and interior design projects in residential, retail, hospitality, corporate, institutional, and transportation fields.

She is currently the Assistant Chairperson of the Interior Design Department at Pratt Institute, and Adjunct Assistant Professor where she teaches the integration of physical computing in interior environments, an area she explores through the co-developed class “Interactive Installation Design.” In addition, her previous work includes collaborations with NGOs in Brazil addressing the housing crisis, inclusivity, and urban agriculture initiatives.

Tania has taught at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and New York School of Interior Design. She is a recipient of the American Institute of Architects Eleanor Allwork Scholarship and was awarded the Pratt Institute award of Excellence.

Hans Galutera, Acting Treasurer

CEO, HG DesignWorks LLC

Hans Galutera is Founder and CEO of HG DesignWorks LLC. He is co-founder Emeritus of New York-based BG Studio International, Inc. and is the Past President of the Board of Directors for IIDA New York Chapter and an Honorary Member of the Society of British Interior Designers (Hon.SBID).

He is also an Advisory Board Member for the International Council for Caring Communities (ICCC-UN Habitat), and a professional member of the Design Institute of Australia. Hans’ expertise has allowed him to be judge and juror for prestigious organizations, universities and publications. Hans has been nominated and appointed on the New York State Education Board for Interior Design and a recent recipient of the Title and Honor of Doctor of Design from Solent University Southampton UK.

Helene Oberman, Secretary

Managing Director, Interior Design Magazine

After honing her knowledge of the decorative arts in the rugs and carpets department at Sotheby’s, Helene Oberman joined INTERIOR DESIGN in 2004 as the assistant to the editor in chief. Her natural talent for managing photographers, writers, and designers led to her 2008 promotion to Managing Director. Oberman is on the board for NY11+, a member of the IIDA Leaders Breakfast Event Committee, and on the Advisory Board Steering Committee for the Fashion Institute of Technology Interior Design Department.