Senate Resolution No. 1274
BY: Senator HARCKHAM
MOURNING the death of Lance Amato, FIIDA, esteemed
design leader, mentor, and advocate for inclusive
and human-centered design
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to individuals whose lives and careers have contributed
meaningfully to the advancement of their professions and the enrichment
of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is deeply saddened to mourn the death
of Lance Amato, FIIDA, a visionary designer and beloved member of New
York's interior design community, who died on February 3, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Throughout a distinguished career spanning over two
decades, Lance Amato exemplified design excellence, leadership, and
service; his strategic vision, creative expertise, and unwavering
commitment to mentorship, sustainability, and human-centered design
earned him widespread respect in the field and far beyond; and
WHEREAS, A dedicated and dynamic force within the International
Interior Design Association's New York Chapter (IIDA NY), Lance Amato
served as the youngest-ever Chapter President in 2011 and held numerous
other leadership roles, including chairing several committees and
co-chairing the Chapter's flagship Leaders Breakfast, a signature event
celebrating leadership, innovation, and community-values that defined
his work and character; and
WHEREAS, In June 2025, Lance Amato was posthumously inducted into
the prestigious IIDA College of Fellows at the IIDA Annual Meeting in
Chicago, the highest honor bestowed by the Association; this distinction
recognizes his extraordinary contributions to the profession and serves
as a testament to the deep and lasting impact of his work and
leadership; and
WHEREAS, As Director of Client Experience at Canoa, an innovative
platform for designers and architects, Lance Amato continued to drive
design excellence through digital collaboration tools that supported
creativity and sustainability in the built environment; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his humility, insight, and generosity, Lance
Amato was more than a designer-he was a mentor, a storyteller, and a
trusted friend to countless colleagues and emerging professionals in the
design community; and
WHEREAS, In May 2025, IIDA NY proudly announced the creation of the
Lance Amato Award, a tribute to his legacy and a celebration of
behind-the-scenes leaders who exemplify dedication, long-term service,
and community spirit; this annual honor will recognize volunteers with a
decade or more of continuous service who go above and beyond to uplift
others and advance the values Lance championed; and
WHEREAS, Lance Amato leaves behind a vibrant legacy of design
leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and heartfelt connection that
continues to inspire his colleagues, students, and the broader design
industry; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Lance Amato, FIIDA, and to recognize with gratitude
his immeasurable contributions to interior design and to the
professional and creative communities of New York State; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Lance Amato.
