Joyce Romanoff has devoted her career to making the “art of everyday” accessible around the world, bringing together aesthetic sophistication, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. As Chair of the Board, she remains a guiding force behind Maya Romanoff, helping carry forward the vision and legacy of the company she built alongside her late husband, Maya Romanoff.
Joyce joined Maya Romanoff in 1988 as National Sales Director and became President in 2004. Together, Joyce and Maya transformed the company into an internationally recognized leader in innovative surfacing materials, expanding its global reach while remaining deeply rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and the founding vision of Maya Romanoff.
Throughout her career, Joyce has played an instrumental role in developing some of the company’s most groundbreaking collections, including Mother of Pearl, featuring hand-inlaid seashell tiles; Ajiro, crafted from ultra-thin paulownia wood veneer; and Beadazzled Flexible Glass Bead Wallcovering, a pioneering surfacing material handcrafted in the company’s Chicago studio. Her leadership has helped establish Maya Romanoff as a company where artistry and craftsmanship come together in unexpected and beautiful ways.
Joyce’s commitment to artisanship and design has earned widespread recognition. In 2010, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Aid to Artisans for her advocacy of global artisans and her work integrating their craftsmanship into contemporary interior design. In 2012, Joyce and Maya were jointly honored with the Museum of Arts and Design’s Visionaries Lifetime Award in recognition of their enduring contributions to innovative surface design. That same year, Maya Romanoff became certified as a Women Owned Business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
Following Maya’s passing in 2014, Joyce served as CEO, leading the company alongside the second generation of the Romanoff family and helping guide its continued evolution while protecting the values at its foundation. Today, as Chair of the Board, she serves as a trusted steward of the brand and a vital link between its history, its people, and its future.
A dedicated philanthropist, Joyce supports organizations including the Parkinson’s Foundation, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, NEWH, The Wilson Foundation, the International Campaign for Tibet, Hadassah, Aid to Artisans, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Designs for Dignity. Her philanthropic work reflects the same belief that has shaped her professional life: that creativity, craftsmanship, and human connection can make a meaningful difference in the world.
