Amara Naqvi
Amara Naqvi is the Founder and Creative Director of Aalign, a platform dedicated to healthy built environments, environmental exposure awareness, and consumer material transparency. Her work is rooted in a question that has guided her career: why are we building and living with toxic materials? Her journey began while studying interior design at the University of Florida, where sustainability deeply resonated with her as a more responsible and thoughtful approach to architecture and design. As she studied eco-friendly materials and non-toxic products, she became increasingly aware of how industrial-era chemicals such as plastics, synthetics, flame retardants, and adhesives—have become deeply embedded in everyday living. With more than 85,000 approved chemicals in circulation, many of which have never been fully safety tested, her work focuses on translating environmental science, material standards, and sustainability claims into practical awareness for consumers.
Her perspective expanded further after becoming a mother, when she began observing connections between environmental exposure and rising health concerns such as endocrine disruption, thyroid conditions, neurological challenges, and chronic illness trends. While public discussions often attribute these patterns solely to improved diagnosis and testing, her work advocates for deeper consideration of cumulative environmental exposure. Alongside her design and sustainability research, Amara became certified in Feng Shui, integrating principles of spatial psychology, energy flow, color theory, and natural balance into her holistic design philosophy. She believes spaces should function not only aesthetically but also physiologically and emotionally, supporting human wellbeing through intentional layout, lighting, airflow, and material selection.
Through Aalign, Amara focuses on education and resource sharing rather than traditional design services. She has cultivated partnerships with more than 70 brands committed to producing cleaner, safer, and more transparent products across home, lifestyle, and interior categories. These collaborations help highlight companies working to reduce environmental pollution from production through product disposal. Her mission is to help consumers make informed, health-conscious purchasing decisions while promoting regenerative environmental impact. For her, success is measured by trust and community impact whether helping families select safer home products, improving indoor air quality for children’s spaces, or supporting global sustainability awareness. Ultimately, her goal is to help create environments where both people and the planet can thrive, reinforcing her belief that we are shaped by and responsible for our environment.
• Feng Shui Certification
• University of Florida - BA in International Marketing
• Seminole State College of Florida - AS, Interior Design
• Featured in Scout Guide Magazine as Women Champion and Change
• Featured in Lifestyle Magazine
• Featured in Orlando Voyager
• IIDA (International Interior Design Association)
• Malala's Fund
• Give Light Foundation
• MWO (Muslim Women's Organization)
• Living Future Institute
• Supporting girls' education through Malala's Fund
• Raising funds for humanitarian aid in Palestine through Give Light Foundation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a lifelong curiosity about how environment, health, and design intersect. I studied marketing at the University of Florida, where I developed a strong foundation in color psychology and consumer behavior, and later pursued formal training in interior design while working in marketing and talent scouting, including experience with Transcontinental during the boy band era. Over time, client work and my journey into motherhood led me to notice patterns between rising sensitivities, chronic health conditions, and the environments we create, which sparked a deeper exploration of material transparency, sustainable building practices, and holistic design. This ultimately led me to become certified in Feng Shui, not as a trend, but as a deeper study of how space, energy flow, and emotional wellbeing intersect. Instead of building a traditional design firm, I created Aalign as a platform to empower people with knowledge and resources for making informed, healthier choices. Today, I partner with over 70 vetted brands offering safer, more transparent products across home, construction, and lifestyle categories, while combining interior design, color psychology, Feng Shui, and environmental health to promote healthier, more sustainable living. My greatest measure of success is trust—being a resource people rely on for guidance toward cleaner, more conscious living—while continuing to support organizations and initiatives that align with my mission to help create healthier environments for both people and the planet.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say there's been so many times where there's so much pressure to build something and get it out there, and you wonder how are people going to find you. But I just believe that if you 100% truly have a passion, and you're honestly building something, nothing can come in your way to deteriorate or deter you from it. I just have this blindfold on - I know I have something good, and I know that I can help so many people. You truly cannot pretend to have passion or compassion. You really have to love what you're doing.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is still increasing awareness and credibility around healthy, non-toxic design within an industry that has traditionally prioritized aesthetics, cost efficiency, and speed over long-term environmental and health impacts. When I first began asking questions about material transparency, chemical off-gassing, and endocrine disruptors, these topics were often met with curiosity but not yet mainstream acceptance. Research is constantly evolving, and reliable, accessible information about certifications, ingredients, and environmental exposure can still be fragmented, which requires continuous education, independent research, and careful vetting of brands and products to maintain integrity and trust. Another challenge has been building a platform-based business model rather than relying on traditional design services, which requires patience, relationship building, and strict standards when developing partnerships, since not every “eco” or “green” claim reflects true sustainability. At the same time, this creates a major opportunity as consumer demand continues to grow for safer materials, healthier homes, and more transparent manufacturing practices, allowing the field to move toward more responsible, health-conscious, and environmentally aligned design solutions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values center on health, environmental stewardship, education, and authenticity. I am passionate about promoting non-toxic, chemical-free living environments and supporting sustainable design and product choices that contribute to long-term wellness. I maintain a personal commitment to holistic health through fitness practices such as Pilates, exercise, and strength training, believing wellbeing should be approached as a connection between mind, body, and environment. Through my work, I focus on reducing environmental impact by educating consumers, partnering with responsible brands, and making sustainability and material transparency easier to understand and access. I also value education and empowerment, supporting initiatives that advance girls’ education globally while sharing knowledge across design, Feng Shui, color psychology, and environmental health to help others make informed choices.
Authenticity, community, and trust are equally important to me both personally and professionally. I prioritize long-term relationships over short-term transactions and remain transparent in product and brand recommendations. My work integrates interior design, environmental awareness, and holistic wellness, reflecting my belief that environments directly influence physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. I am driven by the goal of creating positive impact through education, service, and advocacy while supporting humanitarian and community-focused initiatives.
Locations
Aalign
Orlando, FL 32836