LaDonna A. Eriksen
LaDonna A. Eriksen is a seasoned educator, designer, and construction industry leader based in Omaha, Nebraska. She serves as CEO and Director of Education for Construction Education Consortium, where she develops and leads multidisciplinary training programs for contractors, designers, real estate professionals, and occupational therapists. With advanced credentials including BS, MS, CASSI-PRO, and NKBA certification, she brings together decades of experience in both education and residential construction to elevate industry standards and improve how homes are designed and built.
With over 40 years in interior design through Interiors By Design and a long career in education, LaDonna specializes in kitchen and bath design, universal design, and accessible housing. She is known for pioneering “forever homes”—residences designed to support aging in place and accommodate people of all abilities, including those with mobility limitations, neurodiversity, sensory impairments, and chronic health conditions. Her work is grounded in the belief that homes should be designed to fit the human body, not force people to adapt to poorly designed spaces.
Her approach uniquely integrates construction science with anatomy, physiology, and evidence-based research drawn from medical and scientific journals. A former adjunct instructor and lifelong educator, she has taught anatomy and physiology and continues to translate complex research into practical building solutions. Through her leadership, teaching, and design work, she advocates for inclusive, accessible, and functionally intelligent housing that improves quality of life for all users.
• Licensed General Contractor
• University of Nebraska at Omaha - MS
• National Kitchen and Bath Association
• Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine Board
• Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to think outside the box and challenge conventional approaches in the construction industry. When I designed and built our prototype home, I was told it couldn’t be done, but I chose to move forward by asking the right questions, working closely with carefully selected subcontractors, and finding solutions to challenges others had not attempted before. My success also comes from combining over 50 years of teaching anatomy and physiology with more than 40 years in construction and design, allowing me to apply scientific and medical principles to how homes are built. By continuously researching medical and scientific literature, I am able to design homes that are grounded in evidence and better aligned with the needs of the human body.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that a successful, rewarding career comes from staying aligned with purpose and using your expertise to solve real human needs. It reinforced my belief that homes should be designed to fit the human body, especially for people with disabilities, rather than expecting people to adapt to their environment. This perspective also guided me to develop an accredited program that teaches professionals accessible and inclusive home design, helping others apply these principles in their own work.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women in this industry is to break the mold, think outside the box, and trust your ability to make a real difference. Don’t let “it can’t be done” discourage you—use it as motivation to find better solutions and create meaningful change in how things are designed and built.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is changing long-standing industry mindsets that often overlook accessibility and human-centered design in home construction. At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to advance the field through education and research. In my role as CEO and Director of Education and Research, I focus on expanding awareness and training so professionals can apply evidence-based, inclusive design principles. The goal is to shift the industry toward creating homes that truly support all people.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What matters most to me is creating real impact by designing homes that truly work for people, especially those with disabilities and diverse needs, including neurodiversity, mobility challenges, and sensory or cognitive conditions. I am passionate about making spaces accessible, functional, and human-centered, not just compliant on paper. In both my work and personal life, I value continuous learning through research in science and medical literature, as well as staying grounded through time with my husband and short travels. Overall, my values center on purpose-driven work, accessibility, and improving quality of life through thoughtful, evidence-based design.