Sweet Holiday Dreams Design Team

Laura Dowling

From 2009 to 2015, Laura Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer for the White House. She managed the floral design for thousands of private and official White House parties, receptions, and state dinners as well as large-scale installations for the Fourth of July, Halloween, and the iconic White House Christmas. Dowling is known for her contemporary and romantic style of flower arranging that is rooted in classic French design.

In 2024, Laura created Gifts of the Garden, a holiday décor installation handcrafted specifically for the Cheekwood Mansion and inspired by the gardens. We are thrilled for her return in 2025 to bring more holiday cheer to Cheekwood’s historic spaces with a reimagined décor theme, Sweet Holiday Dreams.

Ruth Apelt

Alexandria, Virginia

Ruth Apelt (Ruthie) is a recently retired executive with extensive experience in information services, media, and IT research and advisory sectors. Her career included key sales, marketing, and strategic account roles at Thomson Reuters and Gartner, following earlier positions in court administration with the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

She is passionate about floral design and event planning, actively supporting several Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia, charities, including the Historic Alexandria Foundation, Lombardi Cancer Center, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria Seaport Foundation, and the Campagna Center. Notably, she served on the White House Christmas volunteer team under former Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling.

A native of North Carolina, Ruthie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

This is Ruthie’s first year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

Sheri Dilley

Senior Director of Event Operations, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures

Sheri Dilley is the Senior Director of Event Operations at USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, where she brings over two decades of experience in media and event management. Since rejoining the organization in 2019, Sheri has played a pivotal role in expanding the events portfolio and founding the Client Experience department in 2020. Her leadership has been instrumental in designing end-to-end processes that enhance the client journey—from contract execution and billing to fulfillment and ROI tracking. Sheri’s collaborative approach spans multiple divisions within Gannett, enabling her to deliver seamless, high-impact events that consistently exceed expectations.

In her current role, Sheri oversees operational leadership for marquee events including Wine & Food, Home & Garden, the Milwaukee Sports Show, Top Workplaces. She also continues to lead the Client Experience team, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects excellence and strategic intent. Based in Grove City, Ohio, Sheri is known for her ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and drive innovation in event operations. Her dedication to her team, guest, and clients, has made her a trusted leader and collaborator across the organization.

This is Sheri’s second year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

Kari Gaudet

American Institute of Floral Designers, Certified Floral Designer

Kari Gaudet (AIFD, CFD) is a fourth-generation floral designer and owner of The Flower Place in Beaumont, Texas. Inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2020, she is a member of both the Louisiana and Texas State Floral Associations and has served on the Louisiana State Floral Association Board. Named the 2023 Louisiana State Florist Designer of the Year, Kari has represented both Texas and Louisiana at the Mid-America Cup and designed for national events including the First Lady’s Luncheon and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

This is Kari’s second year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

Pam Heavner

Interior Designer, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Pam Heavner has been an Interior Designer since 1989. As an early adapter of “farm-to-table” cooking in the 1990s, she was featured in Bon Appétit magazine for flower and vegetable gardens and a love for entertaining.

In 2010, she developed “Pam Heavner Fabric” as one of the first designers in the United States to produce digitally printed fabric, for upholstery and drapery. A few years later in 2013, she introduced “Pam Heavner Paper,” a line of stationery and fine papers.

Pam assisted Laura Dowling with special events at the White House from 2011 to 2014, including arrangements for Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July, and the Inauguration.

Pam lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband Jim and their two dogs, Jane and Hope.

This is Pam’s first year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

Robbie Honey

The Accidental Botanist

Robbie Honey has been immersed in botanical pursuits since he was a young boy roaming the wild grasslands of Zimbabwe. By the age of 17, he was studying horticulture and went on to work in the floriculture trade in Holland and Kenya. He studied interior design and photography at art school in Cape Town. Moving to London, he trained with a leading floral designer and gained a thorough grounding in event floristry.

Setting out on his own at 25, Hermès was his first fashion client, followed by Dior, Valentino, Armani, and Vivenne Westwood, establishing Robbie Honey as an in-demand florist within the fashion industry. With this rare combination of expertise in botany, floristry, and the visual arts, Honey now lectures around the world and focuses on his passion for botany.

This is Robbie’s second year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

Paul Miller

American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Communicators – International
Sunshine Bouquet Company, Miami, Florida

Paul Miller (AIFD, PFCI) has been in the floral industry for over 50 years. His vast flower knowledge has taken him through the United States, Canada, and South America to teach a variety of design and floral industry seminars.

Paul has been a featured in U.S. and Japanese floral trade, and he has served as a design show panelist, judge, commentator, and floral consultant. Paul has served as president of the Southwest Region of AIFD and the national Education and Membership Committees. Recognized in Arizona’s Floral Hall of Fame, Paul was named Arizona State Designer of the Year and was the runner-up in the FTD America’s Cup Competition.

Paul shares his creativity with sincerity and enthusiasm that continues to inspire and motivate audiences. An experienced and resourceful visionary, Paul is a constant source of ideas pushing the boundaries of floral innovation, yet a down-to-earth approach to floristry makes him relevant in any setting.

This is Paul’s second year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.

J. Keith White

American Institute of Floral Designers, Certified Floral Designer

J. Keith White (AIFD, CFD) is known for his floral vision and extraordinary designs. No stranger to the news media, Keith’s programs and projects have been covered by broadcast, web, and print journalism for more than three decades. Sponsored by FTD (Florists’ Transworld Delivery), his masterful designs for the official vehicles in the annual Rose Parade® have been viewed by millions from 2007–2022. Keith’s published credits include Wedding Winning Bouquet Combinations, which was produced with Florists’ Review and the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC), the FTD-sponsored Design Portfolio for 2013, 2014 and 2015, Creative Director of the American Floral Trends Forecast 2016–2021, and Creative Director of the American Floral Trends®. As an Associate Instructor at the Houston School of Flowers, sessions included the AIFD Floral Designer Certification classes, Advanced Floral Design classes, and Special Event/Wedding classes. His passion for education continues with Keith White Floral Education.

Keith’s talents as a designer, educator, and merchandiser for the annual FTD Makeover Magic contest and Winward Silks showrooms are recognized throughout the floral industry. Keith represented the United States in the Interflora World Cup at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, and served as a Jury member in 2004 for the Interflora World Cup in Melbourne, Australia. As an AIFD Certified Floral Evaluator/Judge, he has judged numerous regional and national floral competitions including FTD America’s Cup in 2018, as well as serving as a Rose Parade Float Judge for the 2022 Rose Parade. Since his induction into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 1996, Keith has presented four main stage programs at various AIFD Symposia, with the American Floral Trends program that premiered at the 2022 AIFD Symposium Las Vegas and Gallery Presentation at AIFD 2024 Orlando. Most recently, he was honored as the recipient of AIFD Laureates and the 2023 AIFD Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry Award.

While he is known for his flair, showmanship, and professionalism, his programs also present meaningful educational content. Through his numerous roles and collaborations, Keith continues to influence and share greater knowledge to American floral design.

This is his second year being involved with the Cheekwood holiday installation.