Nic is the award-winning director of the firm’s Sacred Architecture Studio, which is based in the Washington, D.C. office. His accomplishments distinguish him as one of the premier designers of Catholic churches and classical schools in the country. Nic brings an abiding dedication to the noble principles of classical architecture, its forms and proportions, and draws on his experience in the construction industry. He has directed and overseen all phases of design for a diverse group of projects, ranging from large-scale ecclesiastical and institutional projects to intricately detailed interior renovations. Before joining Harrison Design in 2015, he worked with several Virginia and Washington, D.C. firms. Nic earned his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree in philosophy.

In 2000, Karen launched Harrison Design’s interior design practice and she has dedicated her professional career to the firm. Her expertise covers every aspect of interiors, from space planning to selecting and creating custom finishes, furnishings and accessories. In 2019, Karen was named Southeast Designer of the Year by the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center and Veranda magazine. The Georgia chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) has recognized many of her projects, including Residential Residence (3,000 to 7,000 sf) Silver and Residential Renovation-Existing Kitchen Silver in 2020. She earned her bachelor’s degree in furnishings and interiors from the University of Georgia, Athens. Karen recently designed a rustic-yet-modern lake house in Blue Ridge and is currently working on various projects, including a full-scale refresh of a classic Hawaiian cottage in Maui.

Chad leads the firm’s St. Simons, Ga., office, which opened in 2006. He joined Harrison Design in 2001 and was a project manager in Atlanta before moving to St. Simons to establish the practice. He’s a graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University (now known as Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, Ga., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Chad began his career as a CAD technician in Duluth, Ga. His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and he volunteers for the annual RSM Classic PGA tour event hosted by Davis Love III.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University, Derek relocated from Raleigh to Atlanta, where he joined Harrison Design in 1999. With a portfolio that includes residential, multifamily, retail and hospitality, his projects span across the country, from Montecito, Calif., to the “Gold Coast” of Long Island, NY. Derek’s professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA). He is currently on the ICAA’s Southeast Board of Trustees and serves as chairperson of the Membership Committee and chair of the 2023 Philip Trammell Shutze Awards in Atlanta.

Before joining Harrison Design in 2012, Mark led his own practice, Hughes Architecture, in McLean, Va. His work encompasses architecture and space planning for residential, commercial, historic, retail and hospitality projects in the D.C. area. For almost 20 years, he was a partner with an architecture firm in Bethesda, Md. Mark earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park, and is professionally registered in Virginia and Maryland. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

As a principal at Harrison Design, Karissa brings a passion for the iterative aspects of architecture. Her work consistently aims to strike a balance between endless design possibilities and strict building parameters. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University, Karissa worked in commercial architecture in Boston before settling in Los Angeles, where she joined Harrison Design in 2016. Drawing from her academic training and studies in Florence, along with many years in residential architecture, Karissa has developed an expertise for creating bespoke spaces that fulfil demanding client needs, often drawing on the rigor and proportions of classical architecture as inspiration. Karissa is a member of the American Institute of Architects and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited. She takes pride in her mentorship of younger staff, as she guides them through the complexities of the design and construction process and shepherds their professional growth.

Since joining the Santa Barbara office in 2005, Barbara has led Harrison Design’s West Coast interiors practice. With a Certificate of Design from the University of California at Santa Barbara-Extension, Barbara’s work spans residential, hospitality and commercial design. Actively engaged in the design community, she’s a founding member and member emeritus of both the Pearl Chase Society Board and the Courthouse Legacy Foundation Board. Barbara is a past Docent Board President and member of the Museum of Art Docent Council. Previously, she was on the City of Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks and Planning Commissions. In 2007, Barbara received the Saint Barbara Award from the City of Santa Barbara for outstanding service to enhance and preserve the built environment of Santa Barbara.

Betsy leads the commercial interiors studio in Atlanta. She joined the firm’s residential interiors studio in 2013, before opening the commercial interiors studio in 2019. Betsy holds two bachelor’s degrees: Art History at the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She began her professional interiors career as a kitchen and bath designer before working for a number of high-end residential design firms in Atlanta. Betsy is a registered interior designer, receiving her NCIDQ certification in 2018.

Emily Schickner joined Harrison Design’s commercial studio in 2017 and in 2021, she was promoted to the firm’s first female Principal Architect. She earned her Master of Architecture degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta in 2013 and her Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 2007. Emily started her career with architecture firms in Cincinnati and Marietta, Ga. She is currently serving a three-year elected term on Atlanta’s American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors and is acting as 2023 President. From 2020-2021, she served as the regional director of the AIA South Atlantic Region’s Young Architects Forum, and in 2022 she was honored by receiving AIA Georgia’s Emerging Professional Award. She’s also a certified member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. Until age 16, Emily lived in Tokyo and attended the American School in Japan for six years.

Alan joined Harrison Design in 2014 after 23 years managing his own firm in Fort Payne, Ala.  He received his bachelor’s degree with honors in architecture from Yale University in New Haven, Conn. and a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Mass.  He maintains his National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certification and is currently a registered architect in Alabama and Georgia.  Alan has been active in the American Institute of Architects for more than 25 years and is a past president of its Northeast Alabama Chapter and Alabama Council.