About Us

Dear Friends, 

I never thought it would happen to me. But it did.

For nearly 30 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of design, media, and marketing—shaping brands, launching showrooms, and telling the stories behind exceptional ideas. My career began in New York City with Sotheby’s and Martha Stewart Living, followed by leading PR at Parsons School of Design. Later, I brought that same strategic and creative drive to Houston, working with PaperCity and luxury European design showrooms. Through it all, I’ve stayed passionate, sharp, and deeply committed to the work.

After over a year of committed leadership at a design studio I helped shape, I was suddenly no longer part of the picture. It followed a period where I had voiced concerns and advocated for what I had rightfully earned. There were no prior issues with my performance. The shift was abrupt—but the message was clear. It raised deeper questions about how our industry perceives experience, aging, and the value of long-term dedication.

What hurt more was realizing I wasn’t alone. I had begun to notice a pattern—seasoned professionals, especially older ones, were being slowly edged out. Voices that had shaped the foundation were being silenced. I started to see my own experience not as an isolated incident, but as part of a disturbing undercurrent I could no longer ignore.

I had always believed that experience was a strength in this industry. That belief was tested—but not broken. Instead of stepping back, I stepped forward and created The Greyline Collective: a platform to expose the quiet, insidious bias so many of us face—and to amplify the voices that deserve to be heard.

If it happened to me, it’s happening to others. That’s why I’m speaking up. Your work matters. Your voice matters. And silence only serves the system that wants you invisible.

I found my purpose again by standing up for others. Now I invite you to do the same.

If you’ve been dismissed, overlooked, or pushed out—not because of your work, but because of your age—your story matters. When we speak out, we don’t just reclaim our own voices—we make space for others to rise.

Be bold. Be honest. Say what they hoped you wouldn’t. We’re listening—and we’re not going anywhere.

All my best,

Deborah Helman

Check out my LINKED IN profile