Dreena Whitfield is the Founder & CEO of WhitPR, an integrated strategic communications agency based in New Jersey. A leader in her field, Dreena was recently recognized by PR News as a Top Women in PR Honoree. When she’s not rubbing elbows with political and cultural icons, Dreena’s just like us...dreaming up design ideas for her home and office. When it came time for an office expansion, Dreena added the role of Designer to her resume, overseeing every detail of the new HQ. And while pretty lights and pictures were certainly part of the process, creating an environment for her team to thrive was equally important. Read on for the full reveal!
You were recently recognized as a Top Woman in PR by PR News (congrats!). What does this type of recognition mean to you?
It means a lot, honestly. I even cried when I got the notification because it took me by surprise. For me to be recognized as a Top Woman in PR is a true honor. Especially because I literally started my company with no clear idea of what I was doing. I founded WhitPR without a clear road map or even clients.
You quit your corporate job in 2009 before it was cool. What motivated you to start your own firm and how did you transform your side hustle into a thriving business?
Honestly, my naivety played a major role in the success of WhitPR in the early stages. I was in my 20s which is a time in your life when you feel like you can do whatever, whenever. I went into my office and gave my notice without having anything lined up...I just had this naive mentality that I would figure it out. I was hungry for information and hungry to make it happen and just in constant hustle mode. I’ve hit a lot of roadblocks along the way and heard a lot of “no’s” but I just kept going. Over the years, that’s translated into me just not giving up and being persistent. That determination and focus have been key to my growth and success. 
Image Credit: Whit Floor Lamp | Design: Dreena Whitfield, Photo: Rayon Richards
You’re currently spearheading the big WhitPR Office move/renovation. When did you discover a passion for design?
It probably comes from being very particular about how I like things to look. I know what I like! I got the design bug when my husband and I purchased our first house. It was a complete fixer-upper and I thought “Oh, I watch HGTV all the time, we’re gonna be like Chip and Joanna!” It definitely sparked a passion within me so when the office project came up I had experience. For me, it’s fun and relaxing. It takes me out of the day-to-day element of running WhitPR.
As the Founder and CEO, how important is it for you to set the tone for the space?
There are different components at play. I want to create a vibe when people come whether they’re clients or staff. I want to create nice energy for the team that comes into work on a daily basis. I want them to feel comfortable when they come to work and have a space that’s very clean and organized so they can focus on doing actual work. 
Image Credit: Holly Picture Light & Astrid 8 Light Chandelier | Design: Dreena Whitfield, Photo: Rayon Richards
How do you create an environment that breeds creativity?
I try to think of things that would make me excited if I were coming into a new workspace. We created this cool mini-conference space in our open floor plan. When you step into the space you feel an air of creativity. The backdrop features a brick wall with a sign that says “pitch, please” since we’re in the pitching business. We have wisteria falling from the ceiling... I also worked with our contractor to build a door for privacy but it has glass panels so that the space feels open. Because we work in such a service-based industry with demanding clients, I want you to be in a space that will combat some of the stress. I want folks to come in and feel like it’s a breath of fresh air.
Does most of your team work from home? At the office? A hybrid? How do you plan to make people comfortable returning to the workplace?
We have a hybrid schedule - three days in the office, two days home. If folks aren’t feeling well, I encourage them to stay home. We are completely flexible if team members don’t feel comfortable coming in. We also have summer Fridays where people can take extra days in the summer. Our industry can be crazy at times so I want to give people a break to go to the beach or take a moment for themselves.
Photo: Rayon Richards
You collaborated with Mitzi to source lighting for the project. What drew you to their pieces? Any standouts?
OMG, yes! I’m absolutely in love with all the pieces. When it comes to lighting, I used to consider big pieces like a chandelier but never gave too much thought to accent lighting. So many people focus on furniture or paint colors but lighting can really transform a room and elevate a space. The pieces we chose from Mitzi have really done that for our office.
We chose the Vicky Table Lamp for my office—obsessed. I have a black desk and black accent wall and the white looks amazing against that dark, moody backdrop. We also went for the Astrid 8 Light Chandelier for a simple statement above my desk.
Everyone in the office loves the lighting. All of the desks feature the Claudia Table Lamps in brass. They are the perfect size for adding light without taking up too much desk space.
My favorite thing about Mitzi lights is that they can be pieces of art. They are some of the most creative ones I’ve ever seen, especially the Whit Floor Lamp which adds a soft glow to our break room.
Image Credit: Vicky Table Lamp & Astrid 8 Light Chandelier | Dreena Whitfield, Photo: Rayon Richards
What’s the best design advice you ever received?
Don’t overthink it! In the past, I’ve gone back and forth over design decisions. It took me over a month to choose dining chairs and I ended up selling them in the long run. Don’t take yourself too seriously when it comes to design because sometimes it will stall the process.
