Leading the Way in Interior Design
Abby Valliere began her career with Corgan as an intern and immediately fell in love with the work and the city of Dallas. After earning her master’s degree in interior architecture and product design from Kansas State University, she moved to Texas to join the firm. A decade later, Abby has grown into a trusted and respected leader in Corgan’s Workplace Design Studio, earning a reputation for building strong client relationships and advocating for innovative and effective design, pushing her team to grow and take projects to the next level.
Inspiring a sense of inclusion and belonging
Abby is recognizable throughout the firm — whether as the comedic relief in many of the company videos or greeting new hires as a member of the welcoming committee, or even serving as the Master of Ceremonies at firmwide events, Abby seems to be everywhere. She is a strong advocate and mentor for Corgan, shaping the company culture, reputation, and place in architecture and design. Among other leadership responsibilities, she interviews potential recruits, leads the onboarding process, and serves as an active participant and volunteer for many affiliated and non-profit organizations. Perhaps most notably, she conceived and launched a training class entitled Learn to Talk which teaches team members how to perfect their presentation and public speaking skills.
“The people at Corgan are why I love coming to work every day, and collaborating with my team and clients to produce the best work possible inspires me to be the best I can be,” says Abby.
Abby is a proven leader in the office and in our community. She weaves creativity into every aspect of her life; naturally bringing spaces and people alive ─ Abby’s energy is contagious!
Advocating for company success
Responsible for managing project teams, Abby is often the first point of contact with clients, collaborating closely in the visioning and pre-planning processes, coordinating consultants and contractors, and keeping project managers and team members positive, focused, and well-informed. As a Project Designer for the Commercial Interiors Studio, she oversees the scope of work from conception to construction to ensure the day-to-day documentation, scheduling, and delivery is communicated clearly and correctly.
Abby inherently understands the keys to building relationships and has amassed a portfolio of successful projects and repeat clients. Her impressive portfolio includes the corporate headquarters and offices for some of the firm’s most notable clients including Signet Jewelers, NetScout, Smoothie King, Wingstop, and Peloton as well as the global financial and real estate investment firm, Eastdil Secured.
Her deep knowledge of interior design combined with her leadership abilities have yielded positive outcomes, with many of her projects attaining WELL, LEED, and Fitwel certifications. “Peloton is the project I am most proud of,” says Abby, “I took full ownership of the project — it pushed me in new directions to be a leader and make key decisions to support the client’s wellness brand and performance products — and they were thrilled with the results.”
A natural born leader
The oldest of six siblings, Abby was deemed the “leader of the pack,” gaining valuable insights for working in group settings. Capable of organizing the masses, she empowers her team to create innovative design solutions, celebrating the personality and tone of her client’s brand through storytelling, design details, branded elements, and material choices.
Passionate about designing workplaces reflective of the client’s growth, economic progress, and cultural diversity, she leverages her communication and problem-solving skills along with her social acumen and technical knowledge of construction to create special spaces throughout the North Texas region and beyond. “As a creative and active being, architecture provides a great blend of creativity and tangibility to put ideas into reality – I enjoy the social aspect as well, collaborating with my team and contractors to bring a vision to life,” she says.
According to Abby, leadership involves being open to new ideas and opinions. Mentoring requires patience, allowing space for those who are developing to learn, while holding team members accountable for their actions and decisions. “I believe a mentor should continually strive to reflect and improve themselves to be the best example they can be,” she contends.
Connecting with community
Abby is committed to Corgan Cares, the firm’s community service program that focuses on homelessness, humanities, and hunger, volunteering for Hearts & Hammers, Dallas Life, The Birthday Party Project, and Bonton Farms. Additionally, she contributes countless hours to empowering women architects and improving the Dallas community through her many volunteer efforts with professional organizations.
She has built a strong network expanding her reach as a member of The Dallas Real Estate Council (TREC) and volunteer for Fight Night, Giving Gala, Young Guns, and Casino Night, and she often participates as a guest speaker at their Breakfast Groups. She is also an alum of the Associate Leadership Council (ALC), a mentor for Ladies in Commercial Real Estate (LCRE), and a volunteer for the 2024 IIDA Shift Conference.
In 2020, she was selected to participate in the Business Council of the Arts/Leadership Arts Institute (BCA, LAI) where 30 professionals of different ages, educations, and backgrounds are introduced to leaders of the arts to learn the inner workings of non-profit communities within Dallas. “As a charity fundraiser, our group held a biophilia-themed art show with proceeds going toward the Texas Gardens at Fair Park. The show celebrated Earth Day and raised $25,000 toward the upkeep and infrastructures of Texas Discovery Gardens,” she explained.
Whether flexing her design skills, participating in company-wide events, or leading her team, Abby embraces the culture at Corgan and is a strong contributor to the firm’s success. “I’m very proud to be a woman in this industry and feel blessed to have women mentors above me to pave the way – I am constantly encouraged by them to keep striving to make them proud and pass along their wisdom to my mentees.”
Abby's fun facts:
- I have been to 12 different countries in my adult life.
- I got a tattoo in Germany for my 30th birthday.
- I love to read.
- I have chosen Dallas as my proud, new home and I root for the Cowboys, Amen.
