Sendy Gardner
Sendy Gardner, CODIA, GGEP, is a registered architect and commercial interior designer whose work sits at the intersection of design strategy, project management, and human-centered environments. With a background that spans behavioral health, education, commercial interiors, and workplace strategy, she brings a balanced blend of creativity, technical expertise, and organizational awareness to every project. Her approach is rooted in creating spaces that are not only visually compelling but functional, intuitive, and deeply aligned with the needs of the people who use them.
Throughout her career, Sendy has led multidisciplinary projects across diverse sectors, managing full-cycle design processes, complex renovations, cross-functional teams, and vendor relationships. Her contributions include developing system-wide design standards, overseeing capital procurement initiatives, shaping interior environments across large campuses, and ensuring seamless communication between leadership, clinical teams, consultants, and construction partners. Known for her capacity to unite vision with execution, she thrives in environments where thoughtful design and strategic problem-solving are equally essential.
Sendy is driven by a commitment to purpose-built, human-centered design and continues to expand her impact through roles that blend creativity, coordination, and strategic leadership. She is currently exploring remote or flexible opportunities that allow her to shape meaningful environments and scalable systems, leveraging her architectural expertise, global experience, and deep understanding of how people interact with space. Her work reflects her belief that the best environments are those that serve people—intentionally, beautifully, and sustainably.
• How to Make Creative Thinking a Habit
• Learning Construction Estimating
• ESdesign Escuela Superior de Diseño de Barcelona
• Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra
• Green Building Initiative
• AIA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the diverse experiences that shaped my career—from architectural work in the Dominican Republic, to fast-paced project management in Dubai, to behavioral-health design in the U.S. Each chapter taught me precision, adaptability, and the importance of designing with people at the center. One of the projects I’m most proud of is a sensory room I completed in six weeks; seeing how it helps calm patients reminds me why I do this work. Good design truly has the power to transform someone’s experience, and that belief continues to guide me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I always tell young women entering this industry that growth isn’t linear—every job, challenge, or pivot teaches you something valuable. Stay curious and don’t be afraid to explore new paths, because some of the most meaningful opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Bring your unique perspective forward with confidence, and approach your work with empathy, knowing that even small design decisions can deeply impact the people you serve. Make space for creativity outside of work, be visible and share your story, and remember that reinvention isn’t failure—it’s how we evolve and expand.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field has been navigating the constant shifts in roles, sectors, and even countries—from the Dominican Republic to Dubai to the U.S.—while adapting to new cultures, regulations, and expectations. Entering specialized areas like behavioral-health design has also required deep learning and collaboration across disciplines, especially when balancing patient needs with operational realities. At the same time, these challenges have created incredible opportunities: they’ve strengthened my resilience, expanded my perspective, and allowed me to build a career that blends creativity, purpose, and human-centered impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both work and life come from my grandmother, who taught me patience, attention to detail, and the importance of craftsmanship. She believed that anything made with care carries a piece of the maker’s soul—a lesson I carry into every design project, whether it’s a behavioral-health space or hands-on work. I also value dedication and thoroughness: doing things the right way the first time ensures quality, reduces burden on others, and creates lasting, meaningful outcomes.