Francine Monaco Named Chair of Pratt Institute's Department of Interior Design
As a returning Radical Innovation Advisory Board Member, Francine Monaco has helped shape conversations around the future of design, education, and innovation within the hospitality industry. Effective July 1, 2026, she will bring that same forward-thinking leadership to a new role as Chair of the Department of Interior Design within Pratt Institute's School of Design.
As department chair, Monaco will guide the program through a period of significant change for design education.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to guide the Interior Design Department into its next chapter,” said Monaco. “As Chair, I will see my role as both steward and advocate, aligning faculty excellence, student experience, and institutional priorities. A thriving department depends on inclusive governance, transparent decision-making, and a culture in which faculty and students alike can flourish. At a moment when interior design education must contend with urgent issues—equity and access, climate responsibility, adaptive reuse, and the implications of AI—I will endeavor to lead with insight, imagination, and care.”
A dedicated member of Pratt's faculty for more than 25 years, Monaco has helped shape the department's academic direction by developing new studio structures, co-creating the program's first interdisciplinary advanced design studio, and introducing courses and collaborations with leading industry partners. Her student-centered approach emphasizes inquiry, experimentation, and professional mentorship, preparing emerging designers to navigate an evolving design landscape.
In addition to her academic career, Monaco is the founding partner of D'Aquino Monaco, a multidisciplinary practice specializing in architecture, interior design, and decoration for residential and commercial projects. Her work is distinguished by an integrated approach that explores the relationship between architecture and interior experience, with an emphasis on thoughtful materiality, collaboration, and human-centered design.
Monaco's contributions to the industry have earned widespread recognition, including induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame. She has also shared her expertise as a speaker at institutions and industry events including Harvard University, NY Build, and FDC, while her work has been featured extensively in design publications and books.
Throughout her career, Monaco has remained committed to advancing design education, fostering collaboration, and mentoring the next generation of designers. "This approach exemplifies the bold leadership and visionary perspective defining the Radical Innovation community.