Q+A With Tangram Chairman Sonya Mitrovich Lozowski, MD

Tangram Interiors is pleased to announce that it has officially been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by the National Women’s Business Enterprise Council. This certification became possible when new Chairman Sonya Mitrovich Lozowski ascended into her leadership role. As of 2023, Sonya oversees the organization’s performance and strategic initiatives. She also leads Tangram Interiors’ philanthropic efforts and community outreach programs. 

Sonya brings years of experience to the table, having served as a Managing Member of Pacific Holdings and a Medical Director of a health center at the University of MI Health System. With her background as an academic physician, she has a particular passion for Tangram’s healthcare and education markets, merging the principles of exceptional human-centric design with the healing power of environments.

I am proud to bring my background and perspective to Tangram both as a woman and as a physician,” says Sonya. “As Chairman of a certified Woman-Owned business, I look forward to encouraging the growth of women leadership and making amazing spaces together with an incredible team.

With this exciting development, get to know Sonya better on both a professional and personal level with the below Q+A.

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What motivated you to become more involved with the company as Chairman?

I've been involved in the backend of Tangram for 20+ years and have witnessed the company's incredible success and growth, so I wanted to become more hands-on and expand its future endeavors. Additionally, because of my past experience and education as an assistant professor of internal medicine, medical director, and administrator, I wanted to bring my unique perspective to Tangram to support our growing healthcare and education divisions. I thought they would be added value in expanding our employee wellness and safety program as well.

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What are you most looking forward to in your role as Chairman?

I'm most looking forward to deepening relationships with our amazing employees and encouraging other women into leadership roles.

In addition, Joe and I volunteer at and help support Orangewood Foundation and Samueli Academy and I look forward to leading efforts to get Tangram more involved with these organizations. Children of neglect and abuse and foster youth are dear to our hearts because we adopted 3 foster children at ages 2,4 and 5 and we experienced their trauma and difficulties firsthand. Giving back is so important and I hope that relaying our experience will encourage others to help in any way possible.

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Why are you most passionate about Tangram's healthcare and education markets?

Children and adults can’t thrive and learn in chaotic, unsafe, and disorganized environments, which is why I’m passionate about Tangram's work. Tangram helps create inspiring, creative, and comfortable work, learning, and healing spaces for children and adults to thrive in. The space in which you work, learn, and heal can have a profound effect on your productivity and emotional health and well-being. This is why I love being part of the Tangram family.

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How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I’ve always struggled with separating my personal and professional life. My professional life has always been part of my identity so how does one separate different identities? I think trying to achieve perfect separation between professional and personal lives in an effort to be "balanced" can actually create unnecessary stress. As a doctor, we are trained to understand that being a doctor is our life, so that changed my perspective. Everyone's life experience and situations are unique, and some people may find they are happiest never separating the two. Others need a strong separation. Some people need a wide separation and others a fine line. I think that is the balance people need to determine for themselves and whatever that is, it's ok.

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What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?

I stay grounded by going out into nature and decompress by playing with our dog and forcing myself to rest. Other than Joe, I am fortunate to have three best friends, one of them being my sister, Billie. We talk every day and plan vacations together.  It’s the best!

Music and dancing are also therapeutic. I'll blast songs around the house, with some of my favorites including Maybe I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney, Dancing Queen by ABBA, anything by Aerosmith, and when I need extra motivation, Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin.

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Who is/was your role model or leadership mentor?

My role model is my mom. She grew up in a small village in Crete, Greece without running water or electricity. When she was 18, she had an arranged marriage with my father, who was coming through Greece from Macedonia on his way to America. My grandparents agreed to the arrangement because they wanted a better life for their daughter. My father spoke Macedonian and my mother spoke Greek and neither spoke English. They came to America as immigrants and had four children together. My mom came with a sixth-grade education but learned English and earned her GED by the time I was 15. I find this inspirational because not only is the American dream real, but my mom showed me how to be a lifelong learner.

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What would we find you doing when you’re not in the office?

When I’m not in the office, you’ll find me at home playing with our puppy, Myko, gardening, reading and hanging out with my 86-year-old mom. I also love taking memorable family vacations. We love to go to new places and explore the sights. There's always lots of fun and a lot of laughs. Otherwise, I am playing tennis, pickleball and just started learning golf!

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What is your 'guilty' pleasure?

I love watching South Korean TV on Netflix so I can learn Korean by watching subtitles. Plus the storylines are really well written!

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What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

The importance of just showing up. Whether it’s to a class, meeting, or your child’s game; to not show up is equivalent to quitting. How can you be good at something if you're not present?

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What advice would you give to young women entering this industry?

Dale Carnegie said, "Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic" which is a statement I carry with me and repeat to myself when I need to be re-energized.

As it’s been said many times before, the importance of a mentor cannot be stressed enough. It’s what helps you stay engaged and want to go to work every day! If you're in a job where you don’t have one, how can you expect to grow and learn? Your mentor can be anyone in a company; even consider exploring outside your department. Just find a connection with someone that has qualities and knowledge you admire.

One strength we all have is our voice. Don’t be afraid to use it, whether to ask questions, for help, or for a raise. Tangram prides itself on being a family where we always strive to help and support one another, and I look forward to continue supporting the development and growth of the women at our organization.