Cathleen Gruver, an award-winning interior designer and 2015 graduate of Marymount University’s Interior Design master’s program, has been named a 2023 ‘Ones to Watch’ award winner by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
ASID’s ‘Ones to Watch’ program identifies and recognizes rising leaders in the interior design industry who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a willingness to push the boundaries of the profession. Winners gain national recognition, establish new professional connections with peers and industry leaders, expand their participation at ASID events and conferences as invited guests and access leadership opportunities with ASID and the design community.
“I was so excited to hear the news about the Ones to Watch recognition,” Gruver said. “ASID has such a large presence in the U.S., and it is a huge honor to be a part of that community in this way.”
She is currently the Lead Interior Designer at Gruver Cooley, her family’s contracting company that carries a legacy spanning 115 years. In her role, she demonstrates her expertise in assisting high-end clients with custom building and remodeling. She has been responsible for increasing the use of technology to help clients track selections, and is an expert in online sourcing. Also, she has enhanced the company’s marketing program through social media use and is currently working on rebranding.
Outside of her current job, Gruver has been an adjunct professor at Marymount and also has experience in commercial and retail design.
“My interior design background and Marymount education have not only equipped me with the technical skills required for my work at Gruver Cooley, but have also empowered me with the confidence to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry,” Gruver reflected. “My academic accomplishments and teaching experience have further enriched my perspective and enhanced my contributions to my family’s contracting business.”
“As an innovative interior designer in the field of residential construction, Cathleen’s vision and values push the boundaries of the profession as her cutting-edge business strategies help her clients reach their desire for both sophistication and comfort,” said Moira Denson, Associate Professor of Interior Architecture and Design at Marymount University. “She represents how designers can make huge impacts on our everyday living spaces.”
Gruver is an active member of ASID, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), CBUSA and the Delta Gamma Fraternity.
Her graduate thesis at Marymount, ‘Space for Living,’ won the Best in Show prize for her innovative research and evidence-based design on enhancing family interactions at home. In 2016, she was honored as a recipient of NKBA’s ’30 Under 30’ awards.
