Meet The Team
Our highly experienced team looks forward to working with you.
Kathleen McGovern, Allied Member ASID | Owner & Principal Designer
She/Her
With over 25 years of experience as an interior design and home renovation professional, Kathleen McGovern has managed significant design projects in Michigan, Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois, Florida, and Tennessee.
She has been privileged to style interiors in homes designed by noted architects such as Albert Kahn, Robert O’Derrick, Alden Dow, Louis Redstone, Hugh T. Keyes, Wallace Frost, Hilary Micou, Clarence E. Day, and Mark Johnson & Associates.
She prides herself on staying current through continual education on the best practices in the interior design industry. She also leads her team in research to advise clients of safe, relevant, and design appropriate furnishings for their projects.
Kathleen is well respected by her clients, among her peers, and by members of the design and building community. She has been a supporter of the Junior League of Detroit and Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well as the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Congress.
Kathleen sits on the Executive Board of Directors of Kevin’s Song. She dedicates much of her time outside of the studio to the work of this very important organization. Their mission is to empower communities to prevent suicide and offer hope and healing to survivors.
She is a life-long resident of Michigan, holds a BS from Michigan Sate University, and maintains her primary practice in Grosse Pointe Park, MI as well as a satellite studio in Bonita Springs, Florida.
She also enjoys domestic and world travel, spending time with her family, gardening, golfing, and wining & dining with friends!
Lynn Simlar | Senior Design Assistant
She/Her
Growing up in southeastern MI, Lynn has been excited to work in the Metropolitan Detroit area with Kathleen McGovern for more than 16 years.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University, Lynn worked in the industry as a showroom representative and later, showroom manager, for a fabric house at the Michigan Design Center.
After taking 10 years away from the workforce to be a full-time Mom, Lynn rejoined Kathleen McGovern in 2006 and now is a senior designer on the team. What she enjoys most about working at Kathleen McGovern Studio is the wide variety of projects, from historic homes to new construction. There is never a “dull moment”!
When she is not working, Lynn enjoys golfing, practicing yoga, fitness classes, and baking treats to share with family and friends. She also loves to travel, try new foods, and spend time with friends.
Suzan Harbin | Studio Accounts Manager & Assistant Designer
She/Her
Suzan joined the team at Kathleen McGovern Studio in the Spring of 2013 with a background in both the luxury apparel world as well as the nonprofit world. She holds a BFA from Wayne State University.
She is passionate about sustainability in both her home life and in design and looks to incorporate “green products” whenever possible.
Besides being proficient in the bookkeeping and the financial end of the business, she brings creativity to the table with her fine arts education and experience running her business as a jewelry designer.
Outside of work, Suzan enjoys swimming, kayaking, walking on the beach, strolling through art galleries, catching live music, making dinner with friends, and having a good old fashioned campfire as much as possible!