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Perkins&Will Announces New Interior Design Leadership for the Firm’s Dallas Studio

Courtney Johnston and Amber Wernick oversee the Dallas studio's interiors practice; Sarah Wicker heads up a new regional branded environments practice

DALLAS—Three new leaders have been appointed to champion interior design, planning, strategies, and branded environments in the Dallas studio of global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will. Courtney Johnston, who worked for the firm from 2008 to 2022, returns as interiors practice leader; Amber Wernick, who worked for the firm from 2008 to 2015, also returns to take on a new role as director of practice development; and Sarah Wicker joins as director of branded environments.

“This is an organic transition that fuels our forward momentum,” says Tom Reisenbichler, Southwest regional director at Perkins&Will. “Courtney, Amber, and Sarah know how to amplify the strengths of those around them and sustain a culture of innovation and collaboration. This will serve our clients well.”

Additionally, Mary Alex Turner has joined the Dallas studio as business development manager with a focus on interiors.

MEET THE NEW TEAM

Courtney Johnston, Practice Leader

Courtney Johnston leverages her two decades of experience in the workplace interiors market to enhance the studio’s capabilities and offerings while ensuring clients receive outstanding service. Johnston has delivered a wide variety of project types and sizes, from cancer centers and medical suites to the Fogo de Chão and Frito-Lay Headquarters. In addition to her work as a designer, she promotes an innovative approach to mentoring and teaching that has helped develop interior design programs at national universities.

Amber Wernick, Director of Practice Development

Amber Wernick plays a key role in client engagement, with a focus on workplace strategy. Wernick has collaborated with some of the world’s most creative companies to transform their employee experiences. Her portfolio includes the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, the Stanford University campus in Redwood City, and Lululemon’s global headquarters in Vancouver.

Sarah Wicker, Branded Environments Practice Leader

Brand strategist Sarah Wicker leads a multidisciplinary team out of Perkins&Will’s Dallas studio that translates clients’ brands into engaging experiences through space, digital media, and graphics. Over the course of her career, she has consulted for international developers, municipalities, and major brands like Nike and 7-Eleven with her ideas hailed as “world-changing” by Fast Company.

Mary Alex Turner, Business Development Manager

With a proven record of identifying growth opportunities and a passion for genuine connection, Mary Alex Turner is an accomplished professional in the realm of business development. She joins Perkins&Will from the commercial real estate space and is a member of CoreNet and on the board of The North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors’ Young Professionals Forum and Dallas Real Estate Ministries.

BUILDING ON A LEGACY

The new team members join principal and project executive Melissa Cooksey and design principals Gardner Vass and Kevin Mereness. Together, they will continue building on a distinguished portfolio that includes collaborations with such notable clients as Capital One, Liberty Mutual, and PepsiCo.

“With an already strong team foundation, the addition of new strategic hires, and a fresh approach to the way we do our work, we’re excited to take our practice to the next level,” says Johnston.

The interior of the Dallas studio of Perkins&Will, designed by the interiors team

Perkins&Will Announces New Interior Design Leadership for the Firm’s Dallas Studio

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