Stephanie Odegard, Founder and President of Odegard Inc., has been involved in assisting developing countries to promote and preserve their traditional artisanal crafts since she served in the Peace Corps in Fiji in 1976. After working for the United Nations and the World Bank, she founded Odegard Inc., a revolutionary company renowned for its inspired designs, high production standards and creation of luxurious hand-knotted carpets.
Now an internationally recognized leader in contemporary design, Stephanie has garnered numerous accolades and awards that acknowledge both her design talents and her commitment to social progress and philanthropic accountability. In June 2001, the Peace Corps presented here with an award honoring a former volunteer who promotes international economic development, exemplifies respect for cultural diversity and provides a model workplace for employees. In 2009, she received the American Society of Interior Designers Individual Product Prize for leading the way for socially-conscious carpet manufacturing.