Member Spotlight - Jerilyn Wright

Tuesday, Jul 4, 2017

J.Wright

One of the CREW Calgary initiatives started by the Membership Committee was to spotlight a CREW Member. Today we spotlight a long standing CREW Member as per our initiative for 2017. Many of our members have been members since CREW began in Calgary, and Jerilyn Wright, today’s member spotlight, is one of those.

The name may already ring a bell, as Jerilyn is the owner of Jerilyn Wright & Associates, an award winning Interior Design firm in Calgary. She has been a pillar in the Calgary Design community for over 30 years. We were pleased to ask her some questions to learn more about her.

What is a typical day in your work day like?

For me, the joy of my life is that there is no such thing as a typical day. Most days I feel like I'm the luckiest person on the planet: I get to work with amazing creative associates on fabulous challenging projects with wonderful clients.

Often the day starts with an impromptu brainstorming session. These are great fun whether we are discussing design concept ideas, planning solutions or project rollout. Back to back client meetings with discussions ranging from concept presentations to tender analysis to site install verifications often follow.

Lunch is often at the Blues Can next door where we catch a bit of music.

After work is often a board meeting or a late dinner.  If I am lucky occasionally I catch an arts performance in town. . . and finally a short stroll for an espresso to end the day.

Is there something you are working on right now of particular interest? If not, something you did in the past that memorable for you.

There is always excitement with each new project, whether it be creating a healthful environment in 2,000 s.f. or 500,000 s.f.  Helping clients reflect their brand, or working with building owners to improve their real estate is individual. Seeing clients' satisfaction with the finished space is what interests me.

Recently, we had the opportunity develop office space for several multinational companies. Our challenge was to learn how they understood space so we could make sure that we reflected their culture, brand and vision.  An example would be Brion Energy, a Chinese owned energy company. To approach the design we toured China to develop an understanding of their taste along with studying Feng shui to ensure that solutions aligned with their belief systems.

Alongside we were working with Petronas energy, a Malaysian company and Scotia Bank a Canadian company learning their very different cultures.

These experiences have afforded us an international perspective and enable us to offer our clients more progressive vision driven interiors.

What you love about CREW, and have you made any connections through it?

I love the connections and the camaraderie that comes with being a CREW member. I see a room full of fabulous women who are a lot of fun and really allow me to be me. It doesn't get any better than that.

If someone was to play you in a movie, who would you cast?

Well now, I would like to think of myself as some sexy actress, maybe Sophia Loren but given my wild hair likely more like Phyllis Diller.

Seriously though, I am all about contributing and leaving the planet a better place. So maybe the actress chosen should be Susan Sarandon. Not only is she an incredibly talented artist in her field, she is similar in that she very independent, stands behind her convictions and is very passionate about giving back to the community.

I too, am very active in the community. Sitting on the board for the Calgary Opera, involved with the Calgary International Film Festival and also I am a long time board member of the Ability Society of Alberta working with autistic children.

Life is for the living. . . .who can resist?

Thank you Jerilyn for letting us spotlight one of our long standing members!