After almost two decades of working with Millennials, DeLinda discovered effective tactics and established a business case designed to create a thriving workplace that attracts, engages and retains young talent. Codesigning a corporate culture requires partnership with young coworkers and it automatically increases buy-in and ownership.

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DeLinda intuitively designed a workplace that not only allowed employees to prosper but is the only US commercial furniture dealership to be designated as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing company for seven years. Only 1.5% of US companies have been on this prestigious list seven times.

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In 2006 DeLinda founded and served as CEO of Innovative Commercial Environments (ICE) until 2022. She strategically crafted ICE’s brand as San Diego’s “most creative office and hospitality furniture dealership” and seamlessly transitioned ownership of ICE to Alysse Cooper, a key employee that started working at the company when she was a college student in 2008. Alysse successively thrived at ICE and together they established not only a successful, mutually financially beneficial transition strategy, but established a legacy of intergenerational mentorship. They also discerned a new industry benchmark, offering a transformational model for other furniture dealerships to model.

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The renowned workplace culture DeLinda developed in collaboration with ICE Millennial leadership continues to thrive years after her departure; encouraging employees to flourish and reach their potential, not only at work but as individuals and parents. This was an ideal she never experienced as an employee however she had faith that it could be fashioned and would result in measurable business and financial success, producing more fulfilling professional and personal lives for all.

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She has contributed to numerous non-profit organizations for over four decades, serving on committees and boards that support the San Diego philanthropic and business community to include San Diego Economic Development Foundation Past-Chair, Founding Member of the Senior Leadership Network for Conscious Capitalism Inc. (CCI) and the national CCI Mastermind Group. She currently serves as a Business Advisor for the local Conscious Capitalism San Diego chapter and Cause San Diego and as a formal university mentor through the UC San Diego Basement Mentorship and UC Riverside Women in Leadership programs.

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The San Diego Business Journal has acknowledged DeLinda as one of the Top 500 Most Influential People in San Diego since 2017 and a San Diego ICON since 2022. In 2023 she was honored with the San Diego Business Journal Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement award; a reflection of her years of entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts.

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DeLinda is the author of Inspiring Generational Leadership: Your Guide to Design a Conscious Culture.