Joan Sorensen, ASID
Founder
NCIDQ Certificate No. 002665

Joan began her design career in 1963. Her business in Fremont became so successful that in 1985 she expanded into the Omaha market, opening our second studio in West Omaha. Eighteen years later Interiors Joan and Associates added a third studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Joan is a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers with NCIDQ Certification. Joan participates in the annual Omaha Street of Dreams, Omaha Symphony Showhouse, and recently became involved with the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse project and fundraising event.

In addition to her designing and participating in community events, Joan enjoys spending time with her family; she has three grown children.

Diane Gernstein
Partner
Allied Member ASID

As a Partner with Interiors Joan and Associates, Diane applies her over 20 years of design experience to give her projects an exceptional edge.  Diane is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and is actively involved in area design projects such as the Omaha Street of Dreams, the Omaha Symphony Showhouse, and the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse.

Diane is very involved with the buying for the firm, and is largely responsible for acquiring and developing the studio’s large library of resources such as fabrics, furniture, and accessories.  She is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers.  Diane is also a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and is very active in the ToastMasters Organization.

Nancy Pesavento, ASID
Partner
NCIDQ Certificate No. 019653

Nancy has been with Interiors Joan and Associates for over 20 years, building experience in both commercial and residential design.  She began her design career in the Chicago area after receiving her design degree from the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana. As a partner with Interiors Joan and Associates, Nancy shares the responsibility of managing the firm's business affairs and the development of new design opportunities.

Nancy is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers with NCIDQ Certification.  She has recently served on the board of the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of ASID.  Nancy received the ASID Presidential Citation for her community service work with the Salvation Army and the ASID/Industry Partner "Designer of the Year" Award. Nancy recently earned the ASID Chapter First Place Award for her design of the corporate headquarters of Hauptman O'Brien Wolf & Lathrop PC, an Omaha based Law Firm.

Over the years she has been actively involved in the Omaha Symphony Showhouse events, the Street of Dreams and a variety of community projects.

Beth Settles
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Beth has been a part of the Interiors Joan and Associates team since 1988.  This University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate keeps very busy with activities in the design community.

Beth is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and served on its Community Service Committee from 1997 to 2003.  She has lent her time and talent to many events, including the Omaha Symphony Showhouse, the Street of Dreams, and the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse.  Beth has also been involved with the YWCA Home for the Holidays.  She is an active member of the Omaha Networking Professional Women’s Group, the ToastMasters Organization and has served on the committee for the ASID Design Expo and Conference.  Beth also served on the ASID Board for two years.   

Last year, Beth devoted a tremendous amount of energy to her appointed position of Chairman of the ASID Expo and Conference.  When she finds a moment of free time, Beth likes to spend it knitting and playing golf.

Arlene Osterloh
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Arlene received her MS in textiles and design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Since then, she has coordinated projects of nearly every style and budget.  She briefly taught college-level design, and she also designed for the Ethan Allen Gallery before joining Interiors Joan and Associates in 1987. 

As an Allied Member of ASID, Arlene has served on the board of directors, and filled several other positions such as Associate Showhouse Chair, Team Meeting Chair, Medalist Award Chair, and Project Awards co-chair.  She has been involved in numerous Symphony Showhouse spaces, Street of Dreams homes, and Omaha Community Playhouse Galas, including design chair for the event.

In her spare time, Arlene enjoys traveling, reading, playing the piano and spending time with her family and friends.

Ellen Turnage
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Ellen joined Interiors Joan and Associates in 1991 after gaining years of experience designing the interiors of new home construction projects.

Ellen is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and is involved in the Omaha Symphony Showhouses and the annual Street of Dreams.  She has also worked on the Nebraska/Iowa ASID Expo and Conference.  In 2004 Ellen’s design of a Residential space under 3,500 square feet earned her the NE/IA ASID Chapter Project Award.  Most recently, Ellen devoted her time and creative talents to the coordination of the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse project, which she co-chaired. 

Lisa Cooper
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Lisa began designing with Interiors Joan and Associates in 1993 after graduating with a design degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  She gained two years of valuable experience designing in Lincoln before joining the team at Interiors Joan and Associates. 

Since then, Lisa has played a key role in planning many of the Omaha Symphony Showhouse and Street of Dreams projects that the firm has taken on.  As an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Lisa has also contributed to projects such as the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse. In 2004, Lisa earned the ASID Chapter First Place Award for her design of the corporate headquarters of Hauptman O’Brien Wolf & Lathrop PC, an Omaha based Law Firm.

When she’s not designing exceptional interiors, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family.

Karie Boggs
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Karie received her degree in fine arts from Midland Lutheran College.  After graduating, she gained valuable experience in computer design, which she brought to Interiors Joan and Associates in 1996. 

Karie has worked on an array of different projects throughout her time with the firm, including both residential and commercial accounts.  She has also been actively involved with the Omaha Symphony Showhouse, Street of Dreams, and Lincoln Symphony Showhouse events.

In addition to her design work, Karie recently served as the Co-Chair of the Design Committee for the Knights Fundraising Event, and volunteers with the TeamMates Mentoring Program.  When she’s not designing or participating in various other community events, Karie keeps very busy with her four young sons and their activity schedules.

Kris Leitel, ASID
Senior Designer
NCIDQ Certificate No. 020530

This University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate has been with Interiors Joan and Associates for six years.  Before joining the team, Kris practiced design with a Lincoln firm while earning her degree.

Kris is a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers, with NCIDQ Certification and is active with its committees. She has participated in the Omaha Symphony Showhouse Event, serving on its board, the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse, and the annual Street of Dreams.

Kris not only enjoys designing, but she also donates a tremendous amount of her time and talent to various community events and philanthropic boards and committees, including the Campfire USA organization and the Rose Theatre Guild.   

Kim Kenney
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

Kim has been designing homes and commercial projects in the Lincoln area and central Nebraska since 1986.  Her talent for combining beautiful design with a real business sense was developed at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in interior design and business.  Today, Kim is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers.  She participates annually in the Lincoln Parade of Homes, the Tour of Remodeled Homes, and various charitable Home Tours.  In 2004, Kim was actively involved with the Omaha Street of Dreams and she also Co-Chaired the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse Event.

When she’s not designing, Kim serves on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln Children’s Museum and chairs various fundraisers.  She is also a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Lincoln.

Jenny Tolly
Senior Designer
Allied Member ASID

This 1990 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln joins Interiors Joan and Associates with eight years of experience in design firms in the Omaha and Lincoln areas.

Jenny has served on the Junior League of Lincoln and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Advisory Boards. She also volunteered with the Friends of the Lincoln Children’s Museum. Today she is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association, and an active member of the Junior League. Jenny is also involved with the American Society of Interior Designers and the annual Omaha Street of Dreams.

When Jenny isn’t busy with her design work or giving of her time to the various philanthropic organizations that she is involved with, she enjoys spending time with her two young children and volunteering at their schools.

Melissa Guenther, ASID
Designer
NCIDQ Certificate No. 017781

Melissa comes to Interiors Joan and Associates from Iowa, where she was a 1996 graduate of Iowa State University. She has nine years of interior design experience there, working primarily with commercial design projects.

Melissa is a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers and is looking forward to becoming involved with the organization. She is also involved with the annual Omaha Street of Dreams, the Fire Ridge Parent Teacher Organization, and the planning committee for the Iowa State University Alumni Association of Omaha. Since joining the Interiors Joan and Associates team, Melissa has enjoyed working on both residential and commercial design projects.

When Melissa isn’t busy with her interior design work, she keeps very busy with her two young sons and their family’s active schedule.

Molly Grierson
Designer

Molly joined Interiors Joan and Associates after receiving her Associates Degree in interior design from Metropolitan Community College.  While in college, Molly served as the president of her student American Society of Interior Designers Chapter. 

Before joining the Interiors Joan and Associates team, Molly managed a home décor store and assisted with trips to market and various design jobs.  Molly is actively involved in the Omaha Street of Dreams and recently the Lincoln Symphony Showhouse project.

When she isn’t busy designing, Molly enjoys serving as a living history interpreter at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. She currently serves on the Council of Administration for Friends of Fort Atkinson and is the New Member Coordinator for volunteers joining the Council.     

Mandy Petersen
Designer

Mandy joins Interiors Joan and Associates after graduating from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2005, with a degree in interior design. During her time at the university, she was a member of the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Before coming to Interiors Joan and Associates, Mandy interned with a design gallery in Omaha. This gave her the opportunity to participate in the Omaha Street of Dreams event and the YWCA Showhouse event. As a graduate of the Lincoln design program, Mandy enjoys taking part in the student critiques of projects completed by first and second year design and architecture students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Mandy likes to travel, sightsee, play the guitar and spend time with her family and friends when she is not busy with her design work.