Cortlyn Birdsell Named Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40
We’re proud to share that Cortlyn Birdsell, Licensed Interior Designer at Ethos Architects, has been named Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40.
This recognition highlights emerging leaders across the state who are making a meaningful impact in their profession and community. Cortlyn’s passion for thoughtful, people-centered design and her dedication to both her work and her community make her incredibly deserving of this honor.
Read the full feature below, or explore the complete 40 Under 40 list here.
Cortlyn Birdsell, 31
Licensed Interior Designer,
Ethos Architects
Leaving spaces better than she found them is what Cortlyn Birdsell loves most about her job as an interior designer at Ethos. In fact, she knew she wanted to go down this career path by the age of ten. “I was into space planning and was constantly rearranging my bedroom furniture to see which way would function best,” she says. “In eighth grade, I set my goal to study interior design and intentionally shaped my academic path from that point on to focus on design-related coursework.” Today, Birdsell has contributed to more than 50 built projects across Oklahoma, “working on education, healthcare, corporate workplaces, nonprofit facilities, government projects and civic spaces,” involved throughout the design process from early planning to construction. Outside Ethos, Birdsell is involved with the International Interior Design Association Tulsa City Center Campus and was recognized as the IIDA Tulsa City Center Volunteer of the Year. She is active in her church alongside her husband, has three children, and homeschools her oldest part-time while maintaining a 30-hour work week. Additionally, Birdsell is “passionate about all things homesteading, gardening and sustainable living,” and raises goats and chickens. “I often incubate chickens myself and find stress relief in hands-on projects at home,” she says.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received or given?
Just love. Love others. Love what you do. Love where you are. Show love in how you speak. And do so with intention.