Business Owner

Demetria “I WAS TIRED OF SEEING THE INEQUALITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE DENIED TO PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME.” BUSINESS OWNER DEMETRIA MILES-MCDONALD

Founder and CEO of Decide Diversity Spouse: Doren McDonald Jr.; expecting first child in August Neighborhood: Lyndon Photo by Melissa Donald

Although Demetria Miles-McDonald’s normal work base is home, most of her connections are done in person, and she gets to know the people in the organizations she works with, so the COVID-19 situation has made her job more difficult. She likes to see the interactions among people in the groups that she addresses, and it has been hard to convey training messages over the computer or the phone.

WHAT IS DECIDE DIVERSITY’S MISSION?

Founded in 2016, Decide Diversity is a training and consulting organization that focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I work with nonprofit and for-profit organizations who want to diversify their employee base and conduct assessments that uncover problems that leaders may not be aware of and come up with solutions which benefit everyone.

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP?

In times of uncertainty I ask myself, ‘What do I need to do next? What can I do right now to move me one step closer to what I want to be?’ and build from that.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START DECIDE DIVERSITY?

I was tired of seeing the inequalities and opportunities that were denied to people who look like me. How could I become the CEO of a company if the leaders didn’t recognize the obstacles I face in reaching that position because of my identity? I hope to educate leaders about the obstacles people of color, women, those with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community face and experiences they have in general.

HOW DO YOU SHOW GRATITUDE?

Every day I write down three things I am grateful for. I take quiet time to reflect on and appreciate and recognize the people in my life who were influential — the mentors and supporters who helped me achieve what I have. Now I am in a position to help those coming up behind me and make myself available and share my lessons with them. I volunteer for the Urban League and lead resume-writing workshops there every other Friday.

I HAVE TOO MANY...

Writing tools — pens, journals, planners. I love writing for the love of writing.

PET PEEVE?

Procrastination in myself and others.

YOUR SUPERPOWER?

Communication. I can communicate something in a way that draws people in and doesn’t turn them away. They feel included in the solution and also recognize their part in the problem.

INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT?

A little bit of both. I love being in groups and seeing how people interact and speaking in front of people, but then I love to come home and put on my favorite show and relax. My guilty pleasure is watching Real Housewives and the messiness of it all.

TRAIT YOU LIKE LEAST IN YOURSELF?

Imposter syndrome. No matter the education, awards, or recognition that I have received, I still hear a voice asking ‘who am I to do this?’ I have to tackle that every day.

TRAIT YOU LIKE LEAST IN OTHERS?

Not being open-minded.

IDEAL VACATION?

I love to relax at the beach and enjoy the vastness and beauty of the sky and the ocean coming together. But I also enjoy exploring new environments and cultures and learning from them, and I am very intentional about that.

BUSINESS OWNER Hall of Fame 2003-2019

Martha Neal Cooke

Alice Houston Christina Lee

“Christy” Brown

Teresa Bridgewaters

Teresa Bachman Tricia Burke

Debbie Scoppechio* Jeannie Unruh Debra Walton

Lyn Mabry of Living Spaces by Lyn

omen YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Barbara Myerson Katz Submitted photo

meet Lyn Mabry Owner of Living Spaces by Lyn

It’s no surprise that a talented designer would have a knack for transformation — and Lyn

Mabry has transformed herself several times throughout her career. After two decades working in sales and marketing for luxury hotels including the 5 Star Hermitage Hotel in her native Nashville and The Brown in Louisville, Lyn, who loves animals, built and ran a multi-million-dollar pet lodge near Nashville. Then, as the daughter of a well-known Nashville interior designer, she felt pulled back to her design roots when she returned to Louisville in 2007 and became a partner in a commercial décor firm. A year later, Lyn bought and renovated a condominium building in the Cherokee Triangle, and Living Spaces By Lyn was born. In its dozen years so far, Lyn has grown the business to include eight other professionals on staff — interior designers, certified home stagers, and recently, a senior move manager who helps people downsize and transition to smaller homes and assisted living communities in comfort and style. “I am so grateful to be able to do this,” she says. “I think this was always what I should have been doing, but it took me 30 years to get back to it.” Lyn, who describes her own style as eclectic, calls herself “an every-woman’s interior designer,” not driven by trends. “I’m not judgmental,” she says. “What drives me is helping somebody play out their vision for their space, their house, their office. It always starts with the client — realizing their vision, always.” When the COVID-19 crisis hit, “my first instinct was how to protect our clients (many in the midst of extensive design projects) but also care for my team both physically and financially,” Lyn says. Living Spaces By Lyn embarked on virtual color and staging consultations and even virtual staging of empty homes. At one home remodel project, 10 people safely spaced throughout the yard to discuss major changes being made to the front elevation of the building. Lyn and her team members wear masks when working on-site and sanitize work areas when they arrive and when they leave, all while following social distancing guidelines. “I think we just have to take care of each other,” Lyn says, reflecting yet another transformation she’s making with ease and style.