Meet the Team: Claire Russell
We’ve introduced several of our team members in the past, and next in Meet the Team: Claire! Claire Russell is our Senior Process and Operations manager, which means that she is the magician behind the scenes here at GSID.
Meet the Team: Claire Russell
Prior to joining the GSID team in the spring of 2021, Claire was the Senior General Manager at an international traveling exhibitions company. In a nutshell, Claire manages company-wide operations, works with the leadership team in strategic planning, and leads the development, streamlining, and implementation of all processes and systems in our dynamic, creative design environment.
Now let’s hear from Claire herself!
How would you describe your role at GSID?
My role is to manage the operations of the company and the various departments that are under that umbrella (ops, marketing, IT, HR) – support the design department. I get to take issues, challenges, roadblocks, and complexities within the company and break them down into more simple, clear, defined processes. Ultimately, I make all the pieces of the “machine” work together and identify where there is an issue and fix the problem!
Collaboration is key in my role and that is one part of my job that I absolutely love. Every single team member is so essential to the success of our operations and projects. Understanding what works and doesn’t work from the team members is crucial to performing well in my job!
Finally, I work closely with Glenna and Vivian on organizational growth, health, strategy, culture, brand, and mission.
What drew you to working for an interior design firm?
My life has always been a mix of creativity, art, business, and planning. I have a BA in Art History and an MS in Art Business Management and Leadership. I have always loved how interior design is both creative and technical, engaging both the left and right brain.
I loved that GSID in particular had a foundation built on process and partnership and that the firm is made of a team that balances both. To me, clear and defined methodology is essential in creative businesses. This allows our designers to focus more on design and creativity because a framework of successful, effective roadmaps are in place to support them! Working behind the scenes to support the creative side allows me to play a part in the elevated, radiant spaces that are the hallmark of Glenna Stone Interior Design.
How did your previous roles prepare you for the unique role you fill here?
Previously, I worked at a very small but fast-growing international traveling exhibition company. It was a complex, ever-evolving industry with so many moving parts. It was just me and the owner when I started, and we worked together to grow the company first nationally and then expanded to Europe. My hands were in every aspect of the company: finances, operations, logistics, shipping, installation, marketing, overall strategy, and growth.
I discovered how vital teamwork and communication are, along with balancing creative ideas with smart strategies and planning. Working at a company that began small and grew so fast, I had to figure out which core elements needed to be prioritized and how to grow smartly (by making strategic moves and taking some leaps).
I also worked with the team to develop blueprints that made sense, were effective, and that worked, and then communicated with everyone to make them feel like they were heard, understood, and that they were educated in everything that was happening, changing, etc.
How has your career carried over into other aspects of your life?
I look at challenges and mistakes so much differently. We always are going to encounter these things at work and at life, but my career has shown me that they offer key moments for learning and growth as well as the perfect chance to use your creativity and problem solving skills! The journey and experience is just as important (if not more so) than the destination.
Now I find myself taking note of my surroundings when I enter a new place because I know what intensely detailed work goes into creating beautiful, functional spaces. I appreciate and am amazed by all the many different players in the interior design world: interior designers, builders, architects, vendors, stylists, photographers, organizational professionals; the list goes on. I feel so blessed to work with so many talented professionals!
Why do you enjoy being a part of the GSID team?
Every woman on the team is so talented, driven, intelligent, kind, and fun. I love that I get to learn more and more about the interior design industry every day. Watching the designers pull fabrics and wood finishes and prepare for client meetings with their room boards is fascinating. It is such fun to see designs evolve from concept to reality, and knowing that I create a framework to support the designers in their work is really rewarding.
I feel so lucky to be in such a cooperative and communicative work environment. We are all so engaged and dedicated to the work we do and we are all striving to do our best. We motivate each other to do the best work we can for our clients, for our team, and for ourselves. Everyone is so passionate and excited about the work we do and I feel that energy every day.
Most importantly, the GSID team has such an incredible growth mindset. We nurture growth not only on the company level but also on a personal, professional level. Glenna strives to develop a professional growth path for each of her employees so that we can grow into the best versions of ourselves and that is very inspiring. I love that we set annual goals for ourselves and hold ourselves accountable to achieving them.
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!