Meet Bego Benjumeda | Designer at Populous

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bego Benjumeda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bego, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
“Success” is a big word! I can tell you about some of the things that have helped me achieve milestones. I’d say a few habits have helped me get there. I’m a very determined—and admittedly stubborn—person, so consistency and trusting the process have been essential. One of my favorite professors, Kia Weatherspoon, once told us, “My work ethic is a beast!” That motto stuck with me, and I’ve carried it into many parts of my life. During my time as a student-athlete in college, while also holding an on-campus job, balancing all three roles was incredibly challenging. That experience taught me the importance of prioritizing my mental and physical health and making decisions that aligned with that priority.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I bring a multidisciplinary approach, blending interior design, strategy, and design thinking. I like toconstantly ask “Why”. Why something works, why a process exists the way it does, and most importantly, how we can do it better. I love challenging assumptions and digging into research to uncover insights that drive more meaningful and human-centered solutions.

Research is at the heart of my design process. I believe that staying curious and informed about the world—news, culture, technology, and global trends—leads to stronger, more relevant ideas. This helps me push past trends and aim for impact.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hard question! If it was in Atlanta, we would take a walk around Piedmont, grab a coffee at Larakin or Momonoki. My favorite place in Atlanta is the beltline, that wraps the city around. It’s always fun to go to Ponce and grab something to eat as it is very lively! We would eat at Ladybird and then go around Little five points as it’s always fun!
I currently live in Kansas City, so if it were here we would definitely visit the Nelson Atkins museum, Loose Park, and check out the River Market farmer’s market during the weekend. We would go to Percheron for drinks as it has the best skyline views! The market at Meadowbrook is an awesome place to go as well which has a park and cafe at the heart of it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course! I want to thank my parents, who have nurtured, supported, and encouraged me throughout my journey as a student-athlete. To my partner, Ernesto, who brings positivity and enthusiasm into everything in life. I’m also deeply grateful to my mentors, professors, and colleagues who have inspired me to think outside the box and always ask “why.” Special thanks to Kia Weatherspoon, Jeremy Kobus, Craig Stehle, Melinda Peck, Mason Paoli, Tracy Payne, Karla Orellana. My friends, teammates, and coaches have played a crucial role as constant support.

Website: https://begobenjumeda.wixsite.com/begobenjumeda

Instagram: @benjumeda.design

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bego-benjumeda