Most years, you get to meet the Inductees during Symposium and have the honor of applauding and welcoming them person. While we can’t wait for the opportunity to applaud them on stage in 2021, we wanted to learn more about the newest members now.
We asked each of our 2020 inductees to tell us a little about themselves. Take a minute to get to know the first 5 and stay tuned for more to come!
Abel González Mencio AIFD, CFD, TMF
La Feria, Texas
Four decades in floral services have led me to appreciate the position we carry in people’s lives, sharing in their milestones from beginning to end. Serving in the floral profession in capacities from delivery driver and design assistant to Director of Marketing for Acolyte Design has afforded me with opportunities to interact with some of the greatest and most talented builders of our industry, blessed with the occasion to grow and shine. I am eternally grateful to God for talents loaned, to my family and friends for faith shared, and to the skeptics who allowed me to prove them wrong.
Anna Day AIFD, CFD
Mesa, Arizona
Hello! My name is Anna and I have been in the floral industry for 26 years now. I have worked in retail, wholesale and for event companies. I love designing, especially garden style arrangements and tropicals. My favorite flowers are cymbidium orchids and garden roses and anything out of the ordinary. I love texture and color! I love to travel and I love the ocean and nature. I love the feeling I get when I make my customers happy. 🙂
Bertha Canedo AIFD, CFD
San Jose, California
My name is Bertha and I have been in the floral industry since 2008. I have been taking classes with different teachers around USA, and my dream came true when I was part of the Fiesta Parade team. I have been working the last 2 years for the Rose Parade. I just started my floral institute last year, and I will be trying to get more prepared to be a good floral teacher. Working with flowers is my biggest passion. Flowers are part of my life, and finally being at Symposium last year changed my life forever.
Carrie Waterman AIFD, CFD
Pana, Illinois
Carrie, owner of A Classic Bouquet in Taylorville, Ill, has been involved in the floral industry since she started classes to become an Illinois Certified Professional Florist (2005). Carrie obtained her Illinois Certified Designer accreditation in 2018, Certified Floral Designer in 2019, and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in July 2020. She has been active with the Illinois State Floral Association Educational Team and was elected to the secretary position in March of 2020. Carrie has two sons Eli (20) and Ashton (11) that bring joy to her life in every way.
Dahee Han AIFD, CFD
San Francisco, California
I am from Korea and moved to the US after I got married in 2015. I started studying Floristry at CCSF in 2016. I competed twice in SAIFD and won People’s Choice in 2018. In July 2019, I passed the Professional Floral Design Evaluation in Las Vegas. With 3 years experience in working at the flower shop, I began to work in the floral industry in earnest. I have worked as a floral designer at McCall’s, Waterlily Pond, Sharla Flock Designs and Stanlee R. Gatti Designs in San Francisco. And I opened my own floral business, THOUSANDFOLD floral design in 2019.
Congratulations and welcome to AIFD family. We welcomed tou with open arms.