Dallas Market Center Launches Design Ambassador Program to Inspire, Unite Design Community
Dallas Market Center Launches Design Ambassador Program to Inspire, Unite Design Community
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Dallas Market Center announces the launch of its new Design Ambassador Program, an initiative bringing together leading voices in interior design to help inspire and unite the design community.
The program debuts at a time of continued growth and momentum for the Design business at Dallas Market Center, following the expansion of showrooms within the open-daily Interior Home + Design Center, a two-year partnership with Business of Home introducing the Business Accelerator Series, and the continued success of Design + Build Day at Lightovation. Together, these initiatives are creating more connected, efficient, and inspiring experiences for the design community.
“Launching the Design Ambassador Program is an exciting next step as we continue to invest in the design community,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “By bringing together such a talented and respected group of designers, we’re creating a dynamic hub for collaboration, insight, and innovation that will help shape what’s next for the business of design.”
The Design Ambassador Program establishes a Design Advisory Board composed of a select group of highly respected design leaders providing strategic insight and community support. Designed to foster meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships, the program elevates the ambassadors’ influence and supports the broader design community.
The founding Design Ambassadors include:
Javier Burkle, Founder and Principal, Burkle Creative | Dallas, TX
Javier Burkle is recognized for his refined design perspective and distinctive creative vision. Originally from Mexico City, his work spans residential and commercial projects across the United States and Mexico. A featured designer at the Kips Bay Dallas Show House in 2021 and 2024, Burkle has been named to the AD Pro Directory, and his interiors have appeared in Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Veranda, and Vogue.
Beth Dotolo, Principal Interior Designer, Pulp Design Studio | Seattle, WA
With more than 20 years of experience, Beth Dotolo is known for her bold approach and dynamic design sensibility across luxury residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Her work has earned multiple D Home Best Designer awards, the ASID Legacy of Design Award, and recognition as a Rising Star in Interior Design by Fashion Group International. She also serves on the Washington Advisory Board for Susan G. Komen.
Carolina V. Gentry, Principal Interior Designer, Pulp Design Studio | Dallas, TX
Carolina V. Gentry brings more than 25 years of experience and a reputation for bold, detail-driven interiors. A graduate of Texas Christian University, she has led global hospitality projects for brands including Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and Marriott. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including D Home Best Designer awards and the ASID Legacy of Design Award, and reflects her vibrant Mexican heritage and global perspective.
Courtney Garrigan, President and COO, Coco & Dash | Dallas, TX
Courtney Garrigan is the president and COO of Coco & Dash, the Dallas-based design brand she co-founded with her mother, Teddie. She has helped grow the business from a retail boutique into a full-service design studio, trade showroom at Dallas Market Center, and lighting collaboration with Savoy House. Named to D Home’s Best Designers list for 2026, Courtney brings a thoughtful, organized approach shaped by her background in counseling, ensuring projects are both seamless and deeply personal. She also serves on the board of directors of ART.
Teddie Garrigan, CEO and Creative Director, Coco & Dash | Dallas, TX
Teddie Garrigan is the CEO and creative director of Coco & Dash, the Dallas-based design brand she co-founded with her daughter, Courtney. What began as a retail boutique has grown into a full-service design studio, trade showroom at Dallas Market Center, and lighting collaboration with Savoy House. Named to D Home’s Best Designers list for 2026, Teddie brings a thoughtful, intuitive approach shaped by her background in communications and a design perspective that blends Southern warmth with European influence.
Eddie Maestri, Principal, Creative Director | Maestri | Dallas, TX
Eddie Maestri is a licensed architect, interior designer, and creative director known for crafting soulful, story-driven spaces. Since founding Maestri Studio in 2008, he has built a nationally recognized multidisciplinary practice with projects across Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, and Telluride. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Luxe Interiors + Design, and Veranda, earning multiple awards for its blend of timeless craftsmanship and modern perspective.
Jen Stevens, Principal and Owner, Fonde Interiors | Dallas, TX
Jen Stevens leads Fonde Interiors, a Dallas-based studio known for its layered, historically informed interiors. With a background in luxury hospitality design, she brings a detail-oriented approach that blends architectural integrity, material richness, and a strong narrative sensibility. Her work spans high-end residential and boutique hospitality projects, emphasizing spaces that are both functional and deeply personal.
Bryan Yates, Founder and Creative Director, Yates Desygn | Dallas, TX
Bryan Yates is the founder and creative director of Yates Desygn, a Dallas-based studio known for interiors that balance refined minimalism with bold, expressive detail. With a background in landscape architecture and interior design, and early experience at Yabu Pushelberg, he brings a global, story-driven perspective to his work. The studio has earned recognition for its clean lines, custom furnishings, and highly livable spaces, with projects spanning residential and hospitality design. Yates Desygn has been featured in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas and continues to expand its presence with new collections and its Dallas Design District studio.
Mike Yates, Managing Director, Yates Desygn | Dallas, TX Mike Yates is the Managing Director of Yates Desygn, where he leads the firm’s strategic growth and operations with a people-first approach. With a background in performance and production, including degrees in dance and performance design, he brings a unique perspective on storytelling and collaboration to the business of design. Since co-founding the studio with his husband, Bryan Yates, in 2016, Mike has helped shape its evolution into a nationally recognized firm known for thoughtful, highly livable interiors. Under his leadership, Yates Desygn has expanded its portfolio, participated in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, and launched its debut wallcovering collection.
Dallas Market Center will host the Design Ambassador Vignette Reveal Party on Monday, June 22, celebrating the debut of installations by Ambassadors from Pulp Design Studios and Coco & Dash Interiors. The event will bring the design community together for an afternoon of celebration, including book signings and special programming. Design Ambassadors are also featured on the cover of the June 2026 issue of Spark magazine, published by Dallas Market Center, accompanied by a profile on each designer.
Book June 2026 Market Hotel Rooms Now All June market attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to book hotel rooms early to secure availability and preferred rates within Dallas Market Center’s official hotel blocks, particularly as World Cup matches take place in the region. Rooms can be explored and reserved at: https://book.passkey.com/event/51023095/owner/14227/home.
For upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center mobile app. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose.
About Dallas Market Center Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in gifts, home décor, gourmet and housewares, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting, and apparel and accessories. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral;; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.