Senior Interior Designer, Jill Lee, Receives Cushing Terrell’s 2025 Integrity and Client Service Award
Hailing from Cushing Terrell’s office in Boise, Idaho, Jill Lee has earned the highest honor a team member can receive at our firm — the Integrity and Client Service (ICS) Award. The annual award recognizes an individual who always goes above and beyond to support the firm’s clients and ensure their success, while being an extraordinary colleague and human being.
Jill is a senior interior designer, project design leader, and associate who joined Cushing Terrell in 2018. Jill is known for insightful design expertise, exceptional client care, mentorship of team members across disciplines, advocacy for her profession, commitment to ethical design, strong leadership, and a laugh that brings joy to all who hear it. When it comes to clients, she’s built some of our strongest relationships, winning over the most discerning clients to successfully deliver high-profile, award-winning projects. As you’ll see from the testimonial snippets below, Jill is valued for her ability to fully embrace, protect, and embody the goals and values of her clients, acting as a trusted advisor and someone they can count on to truly listen and help realize their design dreams.
The ICS Award, nicknamed “The Geno” after 60-year-tenured Gene Kolstad, is presented toward the end of each year with a cash prize. Colleagues are nominated from across the firm, and the winner is judged on their excellence in three categories: honesty, compassion, and responsiveness.
The trophy was inspired by one of Gene’s passions, masonry; hence, the large, traveling trophy that features Montana-sourced travertine with an embedded trowel.
Jill, holding “The Geno,” is pictured with Cushing Terrell President Greg Matthews.
About Jill Lee, IIDA, NCIDQ, WELL AP, LFA
Jill has been practicing interior design for 20 years. While workplace design projects are among her signature achievements, she has experience across a variety of markets, including education, healthcare, residential, and retail. And over the past few years, she’s turned her talents to sports club design. She notes that she enjoys “the inherent variety of design work, combining creativity, problem solving, and interaction with others to develop meaningful and successful spaces.”
Jill continually works to advance her design knowledge and professional advocacy as an International Interior Design Association (IIDA) member and volunteer. She earned her National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification, and she is both Living Future Accredited and a WELL Accredited Professional. Additionally, she’s made it her mission to push for healthy, ethical materials production and selection, joining the Design for Freedom movement. In 2025, she was invited to join the prestigious Carnegie Changemakers program, an immersive experience for which designers are selected due to their demonstrated commitment to championing holistic sustainability in the built environment.
“We spend so much of our lives indoors,” Jill said, “the spaces we create have lasting impacts on our lives and being part of a team that delivers well-designed spaces to our clients is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.”
Jill Lee (center left, holding trophy) sits next to Cushing Terrell President Greg Matthews (center right), while flanked by family, friends, and colleagues who surprised her with the ICS Award in January.
A Note From Cushing Terrell President Greg Matthews
Jill is the type of person who ensures people feel heard and valued. She’s incredibly dedicated to her craft, her clients, and her teams, inspiring joy and collaboration while leading the delivery of exceptional projects. In every way, Jill displays the characteristics of a strong, compassionate leader with a unique ability to be a trusted advisor, friend, and mentor. Jill, congratulations on earning this prestigious achievement!
What People Say About Jill
“Jill Lee exemplifies honesty through her transparent communications and unwavering integrity with every client and collaborator. Whether navigating permitting delays or unforeseen design challenges, Jill is upfront about impacts on cost, timing, and scope, ensuring clients always have a clear understanding of their options.”
Sandi Rudy
Associate | Interior Design Director
Cushing Terrell
“Beyond her client work, Jill is a leader of the Interiors team. As a designer and an associate, she is an amazing mentor and spokesperson for the group. Just like her work with her clients in the commercial market, her leadership and guidance have also been a key factor in the success of the Interior Design service sector.”
Brady Sperry
Principal | Commercial Design Director
Cushing Terrell
“Although a peer, I consider Jill a personal mentor and one of my most trusted confidantes. I am regularly in awe listening to this side of her phone calls; how she handles what is obviously a tough meeting with calm, grace, and compassion, bringing the whole group back to the client’s priorities for a successful outcome. I regularly tell our younger designers to listen to her as well. Her dedication and tenacity to keep up with heavy demands are inspirational.”
Randi Thomas
Associate | Interior Design Regional Leader
Cushing Terrell
“Since my first day at Cushing Terrell, Jill has been a pillar of support and an incredible mentor, no matter the project. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm, and confidence are infectious, setting the tone for every project I have worked on with her. She is always willing to teach, share her knowledge, and invest in the growth of those around her. Her dedication to providing the highest level of service shines through in every task she takes on. Beyond her professionalism, Jill is constantly bringing energy and joy to the workplace! She truly embodies what it means to lead with passion and positivity.”
Allison Clark
Design Professional
Cushing Terrell
“Everyone needs a Jill! Each project I have worked on with Jill has been fun, exciting, and rewarding. Projects are never better than when you can work on them with a great team, sharing the ups and downs, and having someone like Jill who always stays positive and brings joy to the work we do.”
Tina Rothermund
Project Manager | Architect
Cushing Terrell
“Jill leads with empathy. She approaches each challenge with thoughtfulness and intention, always prioritizing understanding and connection. She doesn’t just inform; she educates in a way that’s compassionate, respectful, and tailored to the person in front of her. I often find myself quietly observing how she handles even the most difficult situations with grace, calm, and a solutions-oriented mindset.”
Amy Lindgren
Associate | Architect
Cushing Terrell
“From the very first time I met Jill, she has gone above and beyond for me, our company, and our team. Quite literally, The Flying Pickle would not be what it is today without Jill. When we were first getting started, Jill was new to pickleball. She went out of her way to not only understand the sport but also to understand me personally and my vision for our company. I would give Jill very vague instructions and ideas, and I was blown away by how she was able to make them come to life. Beyond this, she has been unbelievably creative and clever, balancing our brand, budget, and evolving needs. Jill feels like a founder now.”
Paul Starita
Founder and CEO
The Flying Pickle
“Beyond her incredible talent and creative eye, what stands out most is her calm, patient, and humble approach. She listens closely, respects budgets and timelines, and brings a steady sense of reassurance to the entire process. She’s the kind of designer who not only makes spaces beautiful but also makes her clients feel heard, supported, and inspired.”
Bonnie Hill
Owner and Founder
The Sandbox by Hill House
“I’m so excited to see Jill being recognized for this award! Jill communicates with clarity and purpose, effortlessly connecting all parties and ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned. She’s intentional with her feedback, with a deep understanding of what her customer wants, and she can clearly articulate the tweaks or changes needed to deliver a home-run design. Jill brings such joy and positive energy to every meeting — she’s someone I always look forward to collaborating with.”
Brandon Bird
Creative Cultivator
3D-Identity
“Jill Lee has been working with our team at the Boise Public Library as our design expert for the past year, and we are thrilled to submit our support for her nomination for the ICS Award. She exemplifies honesty, compassion, and responsiveness in all her interactions with our team.”
Library Staff Members
City of Boise, Boise Public Library
“Jill’s hard work and commitment to Google projects in the PNW have helped my team stay on track and organized, while giving us valuable insights and beautiful designs. She takes all of our comments into consideration and provides honest feedback on solutions. We truly appreciate having her in our corner!”
Sasha Esterly
Urban Project Manager
Google Kirkland
Over the years, working on various projects of all sizes with Jill, the experience has been nothing short of exceptional. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and energy always brighten my day when I am in a meeting with her. Not only is her work ethic like no other, but she also delivers time and time again on design, which makes our firm return to Cushing Terrell, while requesting Jill by name to lead our projects. Did I mention she is also just a good human being? Congrats, Jill, on your nomination; you earned it.”
Randy Brown
Director of Facilities and Workplace Services
AppFolio, Inc.
From Jill on Being Honored with the ICS Award
What does the ICS Award represent to you?
To me, the annual ICS Award is a celebration of seeing Cushing Terrell’s mission and vision in action. I think there are so many ICS Award-worthy interactions we have with each other throughout our firm and with our clients every day. So, to receive this award means I’m doing something right, and that hopefully I can be a mentor and example to others.
How do you feel about winning the award, and to what do you attribute it?
To be recognized by my peers in leadership, our project partners, and most importantly, our clients, really does bring me joy and reinforces the sense of purpose I have in my work.
I believe our clients are the heart and soul of our projects, and it’s important to me to keep their needs and expectations at the forefront of everything I do, and everything we do as a team. I think my superpower is sincerely trying to actively listen to our clients, with empathy. Once I understand their goals, vision, and brand, I always make it a priority to protect those things, no matter what they are, throughout the entirety of the project. I truly believe every decision we make throughout a project, from start to finish, must represent those client goals and what they’re looking for — because we’re here to make our clients happy and we’re here to make them successful.
You’re on the selection committee now. What will you be looking for in next year’s ICS Award winner?
There’s so much legacy baked into this award, from being inspired by Gene Kolstad to the past winners. As a new member of the ICS Posse, I will look to the rest of the group for their guidance. I think a continual effort in client care, and continual integrity and honesty in the work we do, will be really important to me when considering a future winner.
Back in 2008, Cushing Terrell constructed a vision statement to help govern firm goals over the following five years. The effort was driven — and much of the language was crafted — by then-principal and project manager/architect Gene Kolstad out of Cushing Terrell’s Billings office. The list of seven goals dealt largely with issues of integrity, character, and client service. With visions of the Academy Awards and Oscar statuettes dancing in their heads, the ratifying committee dreamed up an annual award to present to the Cushing Terrell employee who most exemplified these ideals.
The accompanying trophy, “The Geno” (after Kolstad, who is noted for his commitment to the principles the award celebrates), was inspired by one of Kolstad’s passions: masonry. Hence, the large, heavy, traveling trophy features Montana-sourced travertine (from the original installation at a long-time client, Billings Clinic) with one of Kolstad’s trowels partially embedded — an homage to the Arthurian legend of the sword in the stone. Staff in the Great Falls office built a “mini Fort Knox” (exceptionally secure) traveling case that safely transports the award from recipient to recipient each year.
“Half the fun of bestowing the award is discreetly delivering the award case, early, to the respective office, and keeping it under wraps,” former committee member (now-retired) Ken Richardson once said.
The Geno is now presented toward the end of each year to the winner of the Integrity and Client Service (ICS) Award, alongside a cash prize. A selection committee — dubbed “the Posse” — which includes the previous year’s recipient, convenes annually to select the winner. Nominees from across the firm are evaluated in three categories: honesty, compassion, and responsiveness.
Former Great Falls mechanical engineer Gary Morris was the initial recipient at the end of 2010, and the ICS Award has been presented every year since. Last year, Cory Jassen of Cushing Terrell’s office in Great Falls, Montana, was the winner.
Read more on the history of the concept of “integrity” via the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
