Three members of the Banko Design team in the studio hallway, in black and white

Our team

The Banko Bunch

Banko Design team members at work in the studio

Who We Are

Our culture is rooted in our passion for what we do. We are full of designers, interior architects, and more with a wide range of skills and specialties — a team that shares its insights to make everyone here smarter and more versatile. We're all about fostering creativity and inclusivity, serving our communities and creating Better Living for Everyone.

Work with us

Our team

Portrait of Melissa Banko, Founder & Visionary at Banko Design “The best advice I've received is: don't follow the masses because sometimes the 'm' is silent. I strive to do things differently, not for the sake of being different, but to be innovative.”

Melissa Banko

Founder & Visionary
Portrait of Betsy Distler, Principal at Banko Design “If I had a superpower, it would be to give our staff the tricks, tools and knowledge to make them into designer superheroes!”

Betsy Distler

Principal
Portrait of Jan Reynolds, FF&E Specialist at Banko Design “I once zip-lined in the Dry Forest in Costa Rica. I was scared to death until I realized that the only other way down was walking past a coral snake!”

Jan Reynolds

FF&E Specialist
Portrait of Brittany Panachida, Director of Business Development at Banko Design “If I had a warning label, it would definitely say: Warning! Personality May Be Larger Than It Appears!”

Brittany Panachida

Director of Business Development
Portrait of Eden York, Business Development at Banko Design “I would love to have a cup of coffee with Nancy Meyers because of her timeless films & classic interiors. They always inspire me!”

Eden York

Business Development
Portrait of Kala Shaver, Interior Designer at Banko Design “If I could have an endless supply of anything, it would undoubtedly be crab rangoons!”

Kala Shaver

Interior Designer
Portrait of Hannah Burks, Interior Designer at Banko Design “If I was an inanimate object, I'd be an embroidered pillow. Definitely something frilly with a sweet Southern saying on it.”

Hannah Burks

Interior Designer
Portrait of Jessica Ybarra, Interior Designer at Banko Design “If I could live anywhere in the world, I'd choose a little house along the river in Avignon in the South of France. I'd spend my days riding my bike and enjoying the scenery.”

Jessica Ybarra

Interior Designer
Portrait of MJ Catalano, Interior Designer at Banko Design “Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday. There's nothing cozier than relaxing by the Christmas tree under a pile of blankets watching Home Alone.”

MJ Catalano

Interior Designer
Portrait of Baleigh Pritchard, Interior Designer at Banko Design “If I could win an Olympic medal it would be for folding a fitted sheet insanely fast.”

Baleigh Pritchard

Interior Designer
Portrait of Kassidy Butler, Interior Designer at Banko Design “If I was on a deserted island, I wouldn't be able to live without my dog Ollie, my skincare routine, and reality TV!”

Kassidy Butler

Interior Designer
Portrait of Mackenzie Fuller, Office Manager at Banko Design “If I could live in any movie, I would live in Star Wars and have a quiet life on Naboo.”

Mackenzie Fuller

Office Manager
Portrait of Ollie Butler, In-House Therapist at Banko Design

Ollie Butler

In-House Therapist
Portrait of Mac Catalano, Head of Security at Banko Design

Mac Catalano

Head of Security

Our mission

Better living for
everyone.

All people deserve great design at any budget. Banko Design got its start in the senior housing market, where we saw an abundance of design that neither met the aging demographic's needs nor treated them with the dignity they deserve — so we pledged to be different. That commitment to quality caught on, helping us expand into multifamily and private club work. No matter what level of the market we're designing for, we aim to positively impact lives through our work.

33,000+ lives impacted to date — goal: 50,000 by 2035

Our core values

The principles that shape how we design, collaborate, and create better living experiences.

  1. Spark

    Inspire possibility

    We bring energy, creativity, and optimism to every experience we shape. Through thoughtful design, we create experiences that spark connection, elevate living, and leave a lasting impression.

  2. Tenacious

    Driven to deliver

    Ambition drives us, but execution defines us. We approach every project with determination, resilience, and purpose. Our commitment to quality drives us to move beyond obstacles, refine every detail, and deliver meaningful results, every time.

  3. Unmatched

    The strength behind the standard

    What sets us apart is not just what we do, but who we are. We believe excellence starts from within. Our culture brings together talented, driven individuals who challenge, support, and inspire one another, enabling us to deliver a level of quality that is truly unmatched.

  4. Driven

    Never settle

    Drive is more than motivation. It's the energy that fuels our work. With curiosity, ambition, and a future-focused mindset, our passion for excellence inspires us to push boundaries, pursue growth, and continuously raise the bar for ourselves, our partners, and our industry.

  5. Innovative

    Design the future thoughtfully

    Innovation is more than creating something new. It is finding smarter, more intentional ways to enhance how people live, connect, and experience the world around them.

  6. Outstanding

    Above the bar

    We don't measure success by meeting expectations. We measure it by surpassing them. From the clients we serve to the work we deliver, we are committed to a level of excellence that sets us apart and defines our reputation.

  7. Service

    Serve with purpose

    We believe meaningful impact extends beyond the spaces we create. Through generosity, partnership, and community engagement, we contribute to a better future and advance our mission of Better Living for Everyone.

Philanthropic impact

A child in a red tracksuit crouching at a new concrete water standpipe in a Cameroon village, filling a yellow jerrycan from the tap while another child and a woman look on

Rooted in service

Service is a virtue — and our core value. We're on a mission to give back to the communities that have served and supported us. Our company participates in quarterly Service Days, where our employees pick an organization of their choosing to volunteer for the day.

Banko Design's philanthropic work stretches far and wide, from working with organizations that provide opportunities to neurodiverse individuals to helping build wells to provide clean drinking water to vulnerable populations.

Our fundraising for various charities is done through our own nonprofit, Core 3:9.

Get involved
Autism Speaks and Extra Special People logo

Autism Speaks and Extra Special People (ESP) seek to support and create transformative experiences for those with autism, people with disabilities, and their families.

Erin's Hope for Friends logo

Erin's Hope for Friends is on a mission to create lasting relationships through joyful interactions for autism spectrum teens and young adults.

CDVTA Cameroon logo

CDVTA Cameroon focuses on providing basic services for disadvantaged children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly in hard-to-reach communities in Cameroon.

Studio moodboard wall of fabric, tile and tear-sheet samples, with two designers pinning up material options

Let's begin!

Ready To Get Started?

Every project starts with a conversation. Share your vision, and let's create something meaningful together.

Contact us