2022 40 Under 40: Amy Henson

Grooms Office Environments owners Jonathan and Audrey Garard have entrusted the company’s largest account to Amy Henson. As project manager for CoxHealth, Henson, 35, is responsible for all interior finishes and furniture purchases across the state.

And to think, several years ago, the office interiors industry was unknown to Henson. She had worked in sales for the St. Louis Cardinals and the News-Leader Media Group.

Jonathan Garard says she managed the career change quickly and masterfully. For Henson, it comes down to prioritizing clients’ staff and their needs.

“I have found my niche,” she says, “and I want to focus my future years working on how to grow and shape our local health care industry through intentional design to make a wave of impact with our projects from conception to installation.”

Proudest moment? The birth of my two beautiful daughters, Josie, 5, and Alice, 3.

What about your job would shock people? We don’t decorate, we design. Working with the health care industry, I geek out finding the perfect vinyl upholstery and psych safe furniture.

Best celebrity meeting/sighting story? Tony La Russa (then manager of the St. Louis Cardinals) jumped on the elevator with me after a losing game. He said, “Well that was embarrassing.” I smiled and said, “We’ll get them next game.” I was awkward and star struck.