ANN BANCROFT

Bancroft Arnesen Explore

Explorer

Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams.Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams.

Ann's teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann worldwide recognition as one of today's most influential role models for women and girls. She has been named among Glamour magazine's "Women of the Year" (2001); featured in the book Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century (1998); inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (1995); named Ms. magazine's "Woman of the Year" (1987); and honored with numerous other awards for her accomplishments.

- February 2001 - Ann and Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen become the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica's landmass - completing a 94-day, 1,717-mile (2,747 km) trek.
- 1993 - Ann leads the American Women's Expedition to the South Pole, a 67-day expedition of 660 miles (1,060 km) on skis by four women, earning the distinction of being the first known woman in history to cross the ice to both the North and South Poles.
- 1992 - Ann leads the first American women's east to west crossing of Greenland.
- 1986 - Ann dogsleds 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from the Northwest Territories in Canada to the North Pole as the only female member of the Steger International Polar Expedition, earning the distinction of being the first known woman in history to cross the ice to the North Pole.

Born in 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Ann's love of the outdoors began early in life. Aside from the two years she spent with her family in Kenya, East Africa (in fifth and sixth grades), Ann was a student of Minnesota's vast wilderness. Her father often took her on camping and canoe trips in northern Minnesota. At age eight, she began to lead her own mini-expeditions, cajoling her cousins into accompanying her on backyard winter camping trips.

Ann's passion for exploring our natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching children. After earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Ann taught physical and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. schools and coached various high school sports. She currently is an instructor for Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that helps disabled and able-bodied individuals enjoy the wilderness year round.

Ann founded the Ann Bancroft Foundation in 1991 to support the educational mission of the historic all-women's Antarctic polar expedition in 1993. It was originally called the AWE Foundation (All Women's Expedition) which produced curricula based on the expedition that reached more than 200,000 students worldwide. In 1997, the AWE Board of Directors and Ann decided that the Foundation would better achieve its mission by focusing on honoring and encouraging girls and women to reach, explore, and discover their own dreams and thus the Ann Bancroft Foundation was born. The vision of the reborn organization is for every girl and woman in the United States who dares to dream to have the support, inspiration, and resources that will help make their dreams come true.

KAI KIGHT

Innovator, Speaker, Violinist

As a classical violinist turned innovative composer, Kai Kight uses music as a metaphor to inspire individuals and organizations across the world to compose paths of imagination and fulfillment. Inspired by his own mother who, when diagnosed with cancer, revealed regrets of not bringing her ideas to the world, Kai is on a mission to spark a global mindset shift in which ingenuity is the norm, not the exception. In his emotionally powerful presentations, Kai performs mesmerizing original music and vulnerably shares stories from his own transformation as an artist. Kai translates these insights into takeaways that audiences can easily infuse into their own lives and work environments.

A product of Stanford University’s design and engineering program, the d. School, Kai remains fascinated by the leaders, artists, and companies who dare to be different. As both a Mayfield Fellow and Kleiner Perkins Design Fellow, Kai has proven himself as a leader of the next generation of innovative and entrepreneurial talent. As a musician, Kai has performed his original music for thousands in venues across the world, from the White House to the Great Wall of China. As a speaker, he has created impactful experiences for audiences at conferences, companies, and universities internationally. Some of his clients include The Walt Disney Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Super-bowl winning Seattle Seahawks. His mesmerizing and original violin performance beautifully becomes a sonic metaphor for the core of his message: to inspire people to compose unique ideas in a world that celebrates conformity.

MARC LANDSBERG

SOCIALDEVIANT

CEO and Founder

A native of the great state of Texas, and with 25 years of marketing leadership under his belt, Marc started SOCIALDEVIANT on February 1st of 2012 with the express intent of proving that good guys can win and that the world's kindest company can thrive. As CEO and Founder, Marc drives client relationships, business and IP development, talent acquisition and actively contributes to numerous publishing and speaking engagements. Marc has worked on brands all over the world, including General Motors, Samsung, P&G, MillerCoors and McDonald’s. In his free time, he explores exotic locations around the world, thrives on intensely spicy food and eats oysters at every turn.

LIESELOTTE ANKE

Sands Corporation

Vice President of Interior Design

With over 25 years of experience in interior design, architecture and project management in more than 15 countries worldwide, Anke’s experience ranges from teaching to hands on interior design, architecture, planning, design management, project management, strategic planning, owner representation, consultant, cost and time management for multiple clients. Educated in Europe and the U.S., Anke specializes in the high-end hospitality market, custom residential, entertainment, and commercial markets.

Last year Anke joined Las Vegas Sands Corp as Vice President of Interior Design. In this role Anke oversees all new and renovation projects for the company worldwide, including the Venetian and Palazzo Casino & Resorts in Las Vegas, Sands Bethlehem Casino & Resort in Pennsylvania, the numerous Sands properties on the Cotai Strip in Macau, with the recently opened 3,000 room Parisian, and the Marina Bay Sands Resort & Casino in Singapore.

Anke also is owner and president of ANKE design Corporation, based in California. For over a decade she worked with /LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels with Blackstone Real Estate Advisors in a senior design and project manager role in its West Coast region, oversaw renovations of hotels on the West Coast, Colorado, Arizona and in Florida.

In 2010 Hyatt appointed Anke as Senior Vice President Architecture & Design for the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean to direct the long-range conceptual design and planning. Anke was responsible for providing overall design direction and guidance on Hyatt hotels. She collaborated with Hyatt International and with Hyatt Select on the overview and design guidance for select hotels (Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites hotels) and branded residences globally, ensuring the lineage between the products was maintained. Anke also lead and managed the North America architecture and design department with responsibility for providing technical services, planning, design and design management for new hotels and design/project management for capital improvements, renovations, and additions to existing properties. Some of Anke’s major projects included renovations to Grand Hyatt New York, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Grand Hyatt Chicago, Park Hyatt Chicago, and the new Hyatt Regency Curacao Resort and Spa.

Anke previously worked for Hyatt International Technical Services as a project architect where she was responsible amongst other projects for the opening of Grand Hyatt Berlin, Park Hyatt Hamburg, Park Hyatt Zurich, Park Hyatt Paris Place Vendome, and the former Hyatt hotels in London (Carlton Tower) and Subang, Malaysia. Concurrently to her project architect role with Hyatt, she served as vice president at Peter Roesch Associates, a small design studio in Chicago, from 1991 to 1996.

Anke taught Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1989 to 1990. Her design career began in 1983 at Chicago firm Keck + Keck Associates, and was followed by a series of positions with NWS Architects, Inc., Kober/Belluschi Associates, and Murphy/Jahn in Chicago and Frankfurt, Germany.

Anke received her Master of City and Regional Planning from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1984, from which she also received a Bachelor of Architecture in 1983. She also studied architecture, English, Spanish, law and business in Germany. Anke is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship.

Anke served as co-chair of the Architectural Control Sub-Committee in Novato California for many years. She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and NEWH. She is a licensed architect in California, Florida, Illinois, and Nevada.

WILLIAM BALINBIN

Sage Hospitality

Vice President/Acquisitions & Business Development

William Balinbin is the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development at Sage Hospitality. William leads the acquisition team in urban ground-up and adaptive reuse projects including The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel, Halcyon—Cherry Creek North, The Maven LoDo, Perry Lane Savannah, Elizabeth Fort Collins, and AC Portland, among many others.

Balinbin was most recently a Principal at Miami’s Lionheart Hotel Group. Prior to that he served as a Vice President at The Kor Group (Viceroy Hotel Group) where he focused on U.S. and Caribbean acquisitions and 3rd-party management contracts. He also led asset management for Kor’s portfolio which included hotel level financings, dispositions, extensive renovation and repositioning, and significant operational analyses of assets such as Tides South Beach, Viceroy Miami, Viceroy Anguilla, Viceroy Snowmass and Viceroy St. Lucia.

Balinbin was also an analyst for Ernst & Young’s Hospitality Advisory Services. He is a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served tours in Japan, South Korea and the Middle East as a firefighter.

Balinbin received his Bachelor of Science from none other than Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration where he graduated at the top of his class and also received the country’s highest industry scholarship, American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Arthur J. Packard Scholarship. Balinbin is active in many non-profits including serving as a Regional Vice President of the Cornell Hotel Society and the Dean’s Council of Young Alumni.

LARRY BROUGHTON

broughtonHOTELS

Founder & CEO

Larry Broughton is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO, bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and former Special Forces Operator. As a former US Army Staff Sergeant, serving 8 years on Special Forces A-Teams (commonly known as the Green Berets), Larry has parlayed the lessons learned from his time in service to his country and applied them to the business arena attaining extraordinary success.

He is the Founder & CEO of broughtonHOTELS (www.broughtonHOTELS.com), a leader in the boutique hotel industry; BROUGHTONadvisory (www.BROUGHTONadvisory.com), a strategic vision, elite team building, and transformational leadership training company; as well as yoogozi.com, an inspirational online learning forum for leaders and high achievers. Larry has received several business awards, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year®; the National Veteran-Owned Business Association’s Vetrepreneur® of the Year; Coastline Foundation’s Visionary of the Year; Passkeys Foundation’s National Leader of Integrity; and Entrepreneur Magazine included his firm on their Hot
500 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies.

Larry has authored several articles and books on leadership, team building and entrepreneurial significance, including VICTORY: 7 Entrepreneurial Success Strategies for Veterans and his most recent FLASHPOINTS for Achievers. His upbeat, creative approach to business and life has been featured in newspaper and magazine articles across the country and he’s been a guest on news and TV programs on every major network, including multiple appearances on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, MSNBC’s Your Business with JJ Ramberg, and Travel Channel’s hit show, Hotel Impossible.

Larry has presented to, coached, and mentored thousands of current and aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs across the country. He has delivered keynote addresses and training programs on topics including entrepreneurship, leadership, and overcoming fear and failure to Fortune 100 firms, universities, non-profits, medical facilities, and even the Pentagon’s Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Larry has attended the Executive Program at prestigious Stanford University; studied Russian at the world-renowned Defense Language Institute; and Political Science at University of California, Santa Barbara and College of San Mateo.

For more information on Larry, please visit www.LarryBroughton.me

ANDREA GRIGG

Jones Lang LaSalle

Executive VP and Principal

Ms. Grigg leads North America’s Asset Management practice for JLL and leads the Strategic Advisory for the West Coast Region. Specifically, she provides asset management services and manages highest and best use studies, market studies, valuation and acquisition due diligence assignments on individual hotels and portfolios, mixed-use master planned communities, and leisure real estate throughout the United States and Mexico. She brings more than 15 years of real estate and hospitality experience. Ms. Grigg is the lead asset manager for the St. Regis San Francisco, St. Regis Punta Mita, Viceroy Riviera Maya, Plaza Athénée New York, The Cape Los Cabos, Thompson Playa del Carmen and the Four Seasons Mexico City. Ms. Grigg is also the lead Hotel Development Advisor for the soon-under construction Grand Hyatt @ SFO Hotel.

Ms. Grigg has completed a wide variety of strategic and financial consulting projects concerning multiple types of real estate assets with locations throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Representative projects include the large-scale, resort master-planned communities of Punta Mita and El Tamarindo – both of which are situated on the west coast of Mexico. More recent work includes the valuation of the Calistoga Ranch Resort in Napa Valley, Saggio Hills at Healdsburg, Carmel Valley Ranch, Capella Resort and Residences in Los Cabos, St. Regis Resort and Residences in Deer Valley, La Solana Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, H5 Proposed Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, Proposed Thompson Hotel & Residences Los Cabos, Amangiri Resort and Residences in Utah, Snowmass Village in Colorado, Dancing Bear in Aspen, Sky Lodge in Park City, St. Regis Punta Mita, and the Tides Riviera Maya. Most recent Seattle work includes: feasibility study and appraisal of the Proposed SLS Seattle on 5th Avenue, Proposed Hotel and Residential Apartments on 5th Avenue and Virginia St., Proposed W Hotel @ Lincoln Square in Bellevue, and the Proposed Redmond Hotel Development.

Ms. Grigg was a Transactions Manager for Lynch Investments, LLC from May 2004 through January 2007, where she was active in all stages of transaction origination and execution. Ms. Grigg served as Vice President of Contact Development Corporation from December 1998 through February 2004, where she managed the areas of analyzing, “packaging” and marketing resort/hospitality and mixed-use real estate investments.

Ms. Grigg graduated from the University of Morón School of Tourism in Argentina in 1995. Ms. Grigg is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is an active member of the ULI and HAMA.

ERIN HOOVER

Hospitality Design Expert, Leader, Innovator

As Vice President, Global Brand Design for Westin, Sheraton and Le Meridien, Starwood Hotels & Resorts for the last 11 years, Erin Hoover was the leader of the design teams responsible for providing brand direction over the look and feel of Starwood’s three full service brands. With Hoover, the creative team developed global design concepts for guestrooms, public spaces, brand partnerships, marketing events and other elements of the Westin, Sheraton and Le Meridien brands.

Hoover’s extensive design background encompasses the architecture and fashion industries. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT) Hoover worked in-house at Armani for nearly a decade. Additionally, Hoover consulted for Calvin Klein, Edwin Schlossberg, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Hoover has a wide range of design experience, from designing textiles and exhibitions to visual merchandising and display, store design, nightclubs and hotels. As she transitions to the next phase of her career, Hoover’s eclectic and varied experience shapes her design perspective and continues to inspire her as a design expert, leader and innovator.

Hoover has a Masters in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute.

DIONNE JEFFERSON

Marriott International

Senior Director

Dionne leads Marriott’s architecture and interior design team supporting Classic Select Brands (Courtyard, Four Points, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, and TownePlace Suites.)
She is a seasoned professional with extensive experience developing talent, executing design initiatives, and ensuring project quality assurance in the hospitality industry. By modeling excellence as both a talented designer for many of Marriott’s high profile projects and as a team leader for Classic studio with over 1,200 active pipeline projects and 30 design professionals, Dionne has spearheaded successful projects for both select and full service brands throughout the world, including Marriott Vacations Worldwide new build and renovation work.

ALAN KERSLAKE

Capital Management | Hotels Oxford Properties Group

Consultant, Capital Management | Hotels

Alan has been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years both in Design and Project Management as well as Operations. For the past 3 ½ years, he has been working with Oxford Properties Group (Toronto) managing the design and capital projects for their hotel portfolio. Previous to this, he worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for 8 years as Director Interior Design. Additionally, he was with a private real estate company as Project Manager responsible for all design and project management.

Currently, Alan is responsible for the direction and oversight for interior design projects for renovations within the hotel portfolio for Oxford Properties Group (Toronto). This includes all related supervision of purchasing agents and installations. He is passionate to ensure that each project is completed in accordance with the interior designer’s vision while keeping costs within the project budget. Overall, the goal is to ensure that the look and feel for the design elements and details reflect the locale and are completed in the required time period and within agreed budgets.

Working on room, public area and restaurant design/space planning is an exciting element within the hospitality industry. This allows for the guest to experience the recreated character and atmosphere within the hotels that provides new energy and functionality through the design and finishes of FFE and Architectural detailing.

Alan possesses a Honors, Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hospitality Management and Design and also attended Institute de Management Hotelier International ESSEC – Cornell in Paris, France.

JOSEPH S. KHAIRALLAH

Marcus Hotels & Resorts

President and COO

Joseph S. Khairallah is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. He oversees all business operations for the hotel division.

Khairallah joined the company in 2013 following a 30-year career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts where he gained extensive experience managing business operations across six continents and 44 countries. Prior to his current position, he served as Vice President of Rooms, Spa and Security for the Hyatt Americas Group where he supported 383 hotels, oversaw 155 properties and 30 spas.

Khairallah’s approach to hospitality operations focuses on engaging employees, improving profitability and providing exceptional customer experiences. Since taking the leadership role of Marcus Hotels, he has successfully aligned the company’s efforts on customer-impacting initiatives and has garnered support for large investments in infrastructure and new technology deployments.

Khairallah grew up in Lebanon and has acquired a hotel management degree from the prestigious Institut Haulot in Brussels, Belgium.

He studied six languages and believes that languages can be instrumental in bridging cultural barriers in the workplace and society as a whole. He is passionate about education and frequently takes time to share his industry knowledge and experience with students across several universities that specialize in hospitality studies.

He serves on the national board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Hilton Hotels’ Full Service Advisory Board, and Oklahoma State University’s School of Hotel & Restaurant advisory board. He is also Vice Chair and board member of Visit Milwaukee.

REBECCA LUNCEFORD

Two Roads Hospitality

AVP, Design + Development Services

As a member of the Design + Development Services team at Two Roads Hospitality, Rebecca Lunceford works closely with Ownership teams providing Technical Services for hotel development projects. This role includes coordinating direction on initial phases of hotel development including repositioning and branding, review of comp sets, development of the vision, reference to Design Guidelines, outlining a design direction, program and scope, advising on conceptual budgets and consultant selection. As the project progresses, Rebecca stays intimately involved in all details - reviewing and advising on design and construction documents, budgets and schedules, overseeing OS&E selection and FF&E specifications. Involvement continues through project construction to the turnover of the property to the operations team.

Rebecca also provides project management for renovation projects by working directly with architects, interior designers and landscape architects to bring the vision for a renovated hotel to life. Renovations at Two Roads Hospitality are approached with two goals in mind: to enhance the guest experience and increase asset value. Each property is approached as an authentic one-of-a-kind experience that incorporates history and regional identity to create a unique hotel identity.

Rebecca’s background in design and finance are a perfect combination to prepare her for creating visions, setting expectations and budgets which maximize the investment. These steps ensure that all projects are market-specific, budget appropriate and are key to achieving the type of design that sets Two Roads Hospitality apart. Before joining Two Roads Hospitality, Rebecca worked in hospitality purchasing and architectural construction management.

DAVID MCCASLIN

Hersha Hospitality Management

Executive Vice President

In 2001, Mr. McCaslin departed MeriStar to form Smilezzzz Hospitality, LLC with the intention of forming an entrepreneurial, boutique hotel company. In January 2002, Mr. McCaslin partnered with Gary Mendell and Steve Mendell of real estate investment firm HEI Hospitality ("HEI") and became one of the four members of the HEI General Partnership. In 2004, HEI raised $274 million in HEI Hospitality Fund I, a hospitality-focused private equity fund which went on to profitability.

In 2007, Mr. McCaslin formed EAC Hospitality, a hospitality consulting firm focused on operational improvements and organizational reviews. During this time, Mr. McCaslin worked on several large hotel projects that were in distress and evaluated two companies for acquisitions or partnership opportunities with investment partners and consulted on the acquisition of the SLS Las Vegas and the founding of Virgin Hotels.

In 2009, after consulting with Northwood for over a year, Mr. McCaslin joined full time as President of the newly formed subsidiary Northwood Hospitality. The conversion of the Radisson Boston to The Revere led to Fortune magazine naming it one of the top 9 best new business hotels in the world. The $140,000,000 million dollar renovation of The New York Palace was completed on time and won several awards. The portfolio achieved an over $2 billion dollar valuation prior to a strategic liquidation where each realized investment had a 20% IRR or higher.

In 2015, Mr. McCaslin joined HHM as Executive Vice President. There he oversees acquisitions for the firm’s private investments and heads up asset management of those assets.

Prior to co-founding CapStar, Mr. McCaslin served in various operating capacities for Lincoln Hotels, a division of Lincoln Property Company in Dallas, Texas and for Westin Hotels.

Mr. McCaslin graduated from the Foodservice and Lodging program at the University of Missouri-Columbia and was the first recipient of their distinguished alumni award.

T. SEAN MULLEN

Noble House Hotels & Resorts

President, Acquisitions

As president of acquisitions at Noble House Hotels & Resorts, a hotel ownership and management group with a luxury and upscale portfolio of distinct and visually captivating assets spanning the U.S., Sean Mullen provides strategic direction for the brand’s rapid growth. With more than two decades of hospitality industry experience and 10-plus years with Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Mullen is poised to continue the expansion of the company’s portfolio of unique properties around the world.

Mullen’s knowledge of luxury commercial properties and international real estate will support Noble House’s business development initiatives. He has overseen management takeovers, ownership changes, the repositioning of underperforming assets, luxury real estate sales, and working with the expansion and development of high-profile companies such as Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Jack Nicklaus Golf Companies, Fairmont Hotels, Auberge Hotels and Cliffs Communities.

As the previous chief sales and marketing officer at Noble House, Mullen provided targeted sales support and marketing strategic direction, while overseeing 45 employees, including national sales offices. Prior to his role as chief sales and marketing officer, he served as the corporate director of sales and marketing from 2003 to 2007.

DAVE OSWALD

Hilton Worldwide – Global Design

Sr. Dir. of Design - Luxury & Lifestyle Brands

As Senior Director of Design - Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton Worldwide, David has had the unique opportunity to help shape the future of design for the global expansion of Hilton’s Luxury & Lifestyle Brands. He plays an instrumental role in re-tooling design efforts for the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Brands, along with the development of our Lifestyle Brand, Canopy by Hilton. David is also responsible for Global Design Services efforts in the United States and Canada. Key re-development projects to date include the Conrad New York, Conrad Chicago and master plan renovation initiatives for the Waldorf Astoria New York. New construction projects include the Conrad City Center Washington, D.C., Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria San Francisco. David represents Hilton with global development partners including Hines, Goldman Sachs and Oasis Realty along with design partners including Foster + Partners, Gensler, Herzog & de Meuron, HKS, Champalimaud, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Rottet Studio. David is also a key driver for new acquisition due diligence efforts and CAPEX renovation projects within Hilton’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio.

As a strategic corporate leader in the architecture and design disciplines of hospitality real estate development, David’s career experience has focused on the transformation of existing Brands and directing the development of new Luxury and Lifestyle Brands. He possesses a global design perspective as a basis to creatively outperform the evolution of market trends and exceed project, portfolio and client expectations. David has proven expertise in leading conceptual development, planning, creative design initiatives and technical services efforts in both domestic and international arenas.

Prior to joining Hilton Worldwide in 2010, David successfully directed the creation of world-class properties for Exclusive Resorts, LLC, Two Roads Hospitality (formerly Destination Hotels & Resorts) and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, executing more than $5 Billion in new construction, renovation and historic preservation projects with a value-added approach. His business strengths include assembling and leading multi-national teams, ensuring the integration of aesthetic, functional and financial aspects of projects as required by hotel developers and operators. David was also a faculty member at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell’s College of Architecture, Art & Planning.

BRIAN QUINN

Choice Hotels International

Vice President/Franchise Development

As Vice President of Franchise Development at Choice Hotels International, Mr. Quinn is responsible for leading franchise development in the United States for Choice brands, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay.

Mr. Quinn most recently served as chief franchise officer at RLHC (Red Lion Hotels Corporation) where he introduced the company’s first nationwide development team, launched its newest brand and supported the acquisition and integration of Boomerang Hotels and Vantage Hospitality. Previously, he held various leadership roles in development, franchising and hotel operations with InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton and Driftwood Hospitality Management.

SANGEETHA RAMKUMAR

InterContinental Hotels Group

Global Design Director

STACY SHOEMAKER RAUEN

Hospitality Design Magazine

Editor-in-Chief

Stacy Shoemaker Rauen is a well-respected and talented editor and writer, and is the editor in chief for Hospitality Design (HD) magazine, the leading publication for the industry. Besides overseeing the content and direction of the magazine, Rauen—who has been with the magazine for 14 years—is a noted speaker at industry events, and as an avid tracker of trends, places, projects, and people, she puts together panels at HD's conferences, and has been quoted in various respected media outlets including CNBC and the Washington Post. She is also the founder of HD's CitySCENE, a networking event series held in metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. and internationally, meant to connect design professionals in each market, as well as NextGen Forum, a conference for the next generation of hospitality design leaders. She holds two degrees from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, including a master's in journalism.

STEVE REISWIG

BRE Select Hotels

VP/Design and Construction

Steve Reiswig has spent his career in the Hospitality Design and Construction industry. Over the last 22 years Steve has managed design and construction for some of the biggest names in the hotel industry including, Starwood, Strategic Hotels and Resorts, FelCor, Wyndham/Patriot and many more. Steve currently oversees "all things D&C" for BRE Select Hotels over its 210 hotel portfolio.

CLAIRE SCHEIDEGGER

Filament Hospitality

Project Management

Claire has worked in the field of hospitality design, construction, and project management the past 10 years positioning herself in the industry with her first job opening Kimpton’s first Northeast property in 2003. Since then she has helped Fairmont, Raffles, Thompson, Joie de Vivre and boutique brands develop and execute their vision setting the stage for great service and experiences.

Having been fortunate to work on icons such as The Savoy, The Plaza, and The Peace Hotel in Shanghai, Claire oversees standards and deliverables associated with the design, completion, and operation of new hotel, restaurant, spa, and event spaces. Her current role with Filament Hospitality has taken her into independent property management, enabling her continued exploration into what makes places tick and people respond to concepts, products, and designs generated by teams of experienced professionals.

DON SCHUSTER

Aspen Skiing Company

Vice President Hospitality

Donald M. Schuster is the Vice President of Hospitality for Aspen Skiing Company. In this role, Don is responsible for lodging operations of the Limelight Hotel the Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond, The Little Nell Hotel. Don is also currently developing a second Limelight Hotel in Ketchum, Id. and under contract to develop another Limelight in Snowmass Base Village. In addition Don is leading the effort to further expand the Aspen Skiing Company Hospitality Division. He acted as the company’s representative in a partnership with Intrawest to entitle and develop a new 1MM sq. ft. village at the base of Snowmass Mountain and subsequently negotiated a sale of the project to Related. He has also successfully managed the conversion of the Snowmass Lodge to a Fractional Private Residence Club and was responsible for the redesign and construction of the Snowmass Club 18-hole golf course and LEED Silver clubhouse. Prior to duties included General Management of the Snowmass Club as well as the Aspen Meadows, both of which are lodging and conference facilities.

Mr. Schuster came to Aspen from Richfield Hotel Management, Inc. where he served as General Manager of the Hilton Head Island Hilton Resort. From 1987 through 1990 Mr. Schuster was with Arvida Disney in Florida. First as the Vice President—Director Resort and Club Operations in the Gulf Coast Division where he was responsible for management and operations of the Longboat Key Club a 221 room, Mobil Four Star, AAA Four Diamond condominium hotel, a 38 court tennis facility, and 45 holes of championship golf with 2,200 members. Then as the Vice President—Operations in the South Florida Division where he completed and opened Weston Hills Country Club’s 18 hole golf course and 41,000 square foot clubhouse.

From 1975 until 1987 Mr. Schuster was with Ralston Purina Company at Keystone Resort where he was Vice President of Lodging Operations maintaining a AAA Five Diamond rating for 12 years. Mr. Schuster graduated from Purdue University in 1972. He currently lives in Basalt, Colorado, with his wife and three children.

Don is currently the president of the Basalt, Co Lions Club and sits on the board of the Roaring Fork Conservancy and the Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund.

During his career Don presided over the Colorado/Wyoming Hotel Association, the South Carolina Hospitality Association and the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association as well as serving on the American Hotel and Lodging Association Resort and Condominium Committees and was appointed by the Governor to sit on the Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority.

SHIRLI SENSENBRENNER

Two Roads Hospitality

VP/Dir. Design+Construction

As Senior Vice President, Design + Development Services, Shirli Sensenbrenner plays an integral role in business development for Two Roads Hospitality, creating a vision for potential acquisitions through programming and budget, as well as repositioning and upgrading the existing portfolio. With over 27 years of experience in both high-end interior architectural design and project management, Sensenbrenner has a keen eye for strategy and creative direction, strengthening functionality and improving aesthetics in prospective hotels.

Prior to joining Two Roads Hospitality, Sensenbrenner worked in commercial design where she met the Two Roads team when working on their headquarters in 1998. It was then she discovered a passion for hotel design, and her curiosity brought her to the Two Roads Hospitality team. Since that time, Sensenbrenner has continued to grow her responsibilities, currently serving as a member of the Two Roads Hospitality executive committee, while overseeing her team on capital expenditure planning and upgrades for newly acquired properties and existing structures. She is also a Lowe Enterprises shareholder.

Sensenbrenner received her B.A. in Design from the University of Cincinnati, and studied Architectural Theory & History at the University of Texas, Austin.

LORA SPRAN

NBC Universal Creative

Manager Interior Design

Lora graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Interior Architecture and minor in Art History. Following an internship at Walt Disney World, she made Orlando her permanent residence. She has held a diverse range of roles within the company starting as a leader in the theme parks and moved to role as an art instructor at the Disney University. In 1994 she became a special effects animator for Feature Animation where she worked on films such as Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, Tarzan, Hercules and Brother Bear. Lora then worked for 9 years as a Design Manager for Facility Asset Management, a team that oversees all the room renovations, suites, lobbies and public spaces for the World Disney World Resorts and Disney Vacation Club properties. She continued her design role at Walt Disney Imagineering managing interior design for large scale hospitality projects. She recently joined NBC Universal Creative as a Manager for Interior Design for hospitality.

Lora is a LEED AP and Florida Licensed Interior Designer. She is a mentor to the student interns within her department, and encourages higher standards in sustainability within all design. Lora has been a member of NEWH for 11 years and is currently Past President of the Sunshine Chapter in Orlando. She has also served on the International Board for NEWH.

JEANNE STARLING

MGM Resorts International

Dir./Design Development

Jeanne Lynne Starling is the Director of Design Development for MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN. As a leader of the MRID design group, she facilitates the design services provided by the in-house studio for the Company. Ms Starling is responsible for generating excellence in the results of each Capital Expenditure project and ensuring that the brand values of the Company are reflected in the completed work. Throughout the past 11 years with MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, she has been called upon to provide her leadership and hospitality design experience, initially as the Director of Interior Design and later as the Director of Design Development. Highlights include serving with the Beau Rivage team after Hurricane Katrina, leading the interior design team for the Aria hotel tower, guiding the MRID design team in the completion of every MGM Resorts hotel tower re-brand or remodel since 2005, leading the design group in multiple boutique brand debuts to Las Vegas and managing interior design services provided by the in-house studio and consultants for hundreds of Capex projects.

Before joining MGM Resorts (MGM MIRAGE Design Group) in 2005, Ms Starling was the Managing Director and Director of Interior Design in the Orlando, FL office of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) a firm widely recognized as specialists in destination resort architecture, planning and design, with numerous offices worldwide. Her dual roles included managing the daily operations of the Orlando practice, promoting business development for architecture and design services, casting creative direction for domestic and international destination resort and hospitality projects and assisting hospitality clients in developing brand standards for their property portfolios.

Jeanne is nationally certified as an Interior Designer by NCIDQ and is a Registered Interior Designer in Nevada and Florida. She holds a BS Degree in Art - Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and has completed hundreds of hours of post-graduate education to stay current in an industry that continues to evolve and change in exciting ways. One of her passions has been to serve as a design educator for the UNLV Interior Architecture program for 10 years. She has been honored with many awards in design competitions and is a recipient of the Fielden Medal for Contributions of Excellence to Architectural Education.

SAM SULEMAN

Equinox Hospitality

Principal & Executive Vice President

Sam serves as Principal & Executive Vice President of Equinox Hospitality focusing on Operations, Development, Construction, and Design. He has extensive experience in a number of areas of hospitality including new hotel development; new brand development; repositioning & renovation of existing hotel properties; hospitality technology; hotel operations; and food & beverage operations and concept development. Sam is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resort Owners Board. He has also served on the InterContinental Hotels Group OA Board of Directors, as Chairman of the Emerging Leaders Council, and Chairman of the IHG Technology Committee. Additionally, Sam serves as a member of Hospitality Design Magazine's Editorial Advisory Board.

MARK WILLIAMS

RLHC

Vice President, Upscale Franchise Brands

Mark Williams joined Red Lion Hotels Corporation in September 2016 in conjunction with the acquisition of Vantage Hospitality Group. An industry veteran, Williams spent 20 years at Best Western International, 13 of which he served as the Vice President of North American Development where he oversaw brand development in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. During his career, he served as the development ambassador for the brand, helping to bring over a thousand North American hotels into the Best Western family, with a special emphasis on new construction and hotels located in primary markets.

Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and marketing from The Ohio State University Fisher School of Business.

LAURIE WOLIUNG

Marriott International

Senior Director/Interior Design

Laurie Woliung, Sr. Director of Interior Design, recently promoted to lead the interior design process for Distinctive Brands inclusive of AC, Moxy, Aloft and Element. Previous to this Laurie led the Marriott internal design team in renovation projects for Marriott full service brands. She directed the program focused on educating and influencing customers on hotel brand product and services, partnered with brand to deliver design solutions that impart brand strategy, led the team for interior design and architecture projects - provided oversight to the design team in full service hospitality interior design for both standard and custom interiors within a solid pipeline of sustainable projects. Laurie brings in excess of 30 year of design experience to her position. Before Laurie took her position at Marriott she worked as the Director of Hospitality Design at BBGM Washington, DC, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Choice Hotels, and previously with Marriott as the Design Manager for Renaissance Hotels. Prior to joining Marriott Laurie owned her own design and construction firm supporting 35 design and production professionals. Her design knowledge has contributed to the success of several recent projects including her involvement with Brand initiatives - The M Club Lounge, the new Marriott Guestroom Design Strategy – reimaging the Marriott Brand in the spirit of Marriott Modern, and the Marriott Greatroom initiative.

SANTIAGO ARCILA

British Columbia Institute of Technology

NEWH Scholarship Recipient

Growing up in numerous countries has greatly influenced Santiago’s personality and design style. Although his academic start was in Chemical Engineering his creative passion led him to complete his studies in Interior Design. Santiago embraces art in all its forms and is an avid enthusiast of photography, new music and theatre. He views design as the link between logic, creativity and functionality and is particularly interested in the physical and emotional influence that shaping a space can have.
Santiago has been an active member of NEWH since being the recipient of their Icon of Industry Scholarship back in 2011 and currently as the Scholarship and Education Chair for the Vancouver chapter. As a college instructor, he believes in the power of knowledge and the value of education and is extremely excited to be involved in today’s discussion among a group with such diversity and talent. It is these types of events and organizations which inspire students; the future of our industry.

SIOBHAN BARRY

dash design

Partner

Siobhan Barry spearheads upscale retail and restaurant design projects, infusing her passion and creativity into every dining room, storefront, and showroom she dives into. “I am excited to be an integral part of the team,” she says, “And I look to build on the firm’s superior design work, working alongside David Ashen for the utmost benefit of our clients.”

Siobhan’s stellar background in innovative design strategy helps drive dash design’s growth, further establishing its footprint on the industry. Bringing experience from iconic projects such as Le District market, STK,

Catch, and the JetBlue T5 terminal restaurants, dash design is helping her grow an already distinguished reputation.

Originally from Toronto Island, Canada, Siobhan discovered her passion for design at a young age. She graduated with her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Waterloo, where she also earned the prestigious Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) medal for her thesis.

Throughout her illustrious career, Siobhan has led projects as both a studio creative director and an in-house architectural designer. On the client side, she’s developed strategic designs for Calvin Klein showrooms and facilities. At MacKay Architecture/Design, Siobhan honed her high-end retail expertise, focusing on spaces for luxury brands such as Hugo

Boss, Prada, and many others. Before joining dash design, she served as Partner and Lead Designer at ICRAVE, a New York City-based design studio, where she worked on numerous keystone restaurant projects—from JFK airport, to Midtown, to Lower Manhattan.

As an avid tennis player and passionate antique-hunter, Siobhan spends her weekends upstate at her home in Rhinebeck, New York.

BETH BECKER

Becker Digital Strategies

Owner/Strategist

Beth Becker brings 20+ years of communication and marketing background to her work in political digital strategy. In addition to her work with political and nonprofit clients around the world, Beth was a senior trainer for New Organizing Institute, and currently serves as the Senior Fellow for Digital Training for the New Leaders Council. With her focus on strategic digital and social media planning, Beth was named one of the world’s 100 Best Social Media Strategists by Sparkuh in 2013 and won the Most Valuable Session Award at NOI’s 2014 RootsCamp. As a contributing blogger at epolitics.com and avid activist, Beth shares her knowledge to help the progressive movement use digital with offline to win.

RONNIE BRAY

Bray Whaler International

Executive VP and Prinicpal

Ronnie began her hospitality purchasing career in 1979 as Vice President of Interiors for Trammell Crow Hotel Development Company, and after a decade of various industry leadership roles, formed Bray Associates, later partnering with Elisa Whaler to form Bray Whaler, Inc.
 
Ronnie holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She taught at the University of Colorado Economics Institute and in the M.B.A. program at the University of New Mexico School of Business, as well as at the University of Denver Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.
Ronnie believes Bray Whaler’s team has “an authentic sense of responsibility toward our clients. I love working with these ‘young whipper snappers’ who continually challenge me and keep me young at heart.”
 
Whether traveling the world, or being an ardent sports fan, Ronnie’s spirited endeavors keep everyone around her young at heart too.

LARRY BROUGHTON

broughtonHOTELS

CEO & Founder

Larry Broughton is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO, bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and former Special Forces Operator. As a former US Army Staff Sergeant, serving 8 years on Special Forces A-Teams (commonly known as the Green Berets), Larry has parlayed the lessons learned from his time in service to his country and applied them to the business arena attaining extraordinary success.

He is the Founder & CEO of broughtonHOTELS (www.broughtonHOTELS.com), a leader in the boutique hotel industry; BROUGHTONadvisory (www.BROUGHTONadvisory.com), a strategic vision, elite team building, and transformational leadership training company; as well as yoogozi.com, an inspirational online learning forum for leaders and high achievers. Larry has received several business awards, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year®; the National Veteran-Owned Business Association’s Vetrepreneur® of the Year; Coastline Foundation’s Visionary of the Year; Passkeys Foundation’s National Leader of Integrity; and Entrepreneur Magazine included his firm on their Hot
500 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies.

Larry has authored several articles and books on leadership, team building and entrepreneurial significance, including VICTORY: 7 Entrepreneurial Success Strategies for Veterans and his most recent FLASHPOINTS for Achievers. His upbeat, creative approach to business and life has been featured in newspaper and magazine articles across the country and he’s been a guest on news and TV programs on every major network, including multiple appearances on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, MSNBC’s Your Business with JJ Ramberg, and Travel Channel’s hit show, Hotel Impossible.

Larry has presented to, coached, and mentored thousands of current and aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs across the country. He has delivered keynote addresses and training programs on topics including entrepreneurship, leadership, and overcoming fear and failure to Fortune 100 firms, universities, non-profits, medical facilities, and even the Pentagon’s Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Larry has attended the Executive Program at prestigious Stanford University; studied Russian at the world-renowned Defense Language Institute; and Political Science at University of California, Santa Barbara and College of San Mateo.

For more information on Larry, please visit www.LarryBroughton.me

KYLA CHAMBERS

MDC Wallcoverings

NEWH Scholarship Recipient

Kyla Chambers is an Account Executive for MDC Wallcovering and Denver native. Throughout her educational journey, she pursued many different creative outlets but fell in love with design. A blend of functionality, aesthetics, and innovation are the qualities that motivated her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Since graduating, Kyla worked in commercial systems furniture design before accepting an Account Executive role with MDC. Building relationships with design firms around Colorado allows her to work on a variety of design projects and be a resource for her clients.

DAVID CORSUN

University of Denver

Director, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management

Dr. David L. Corsun earned his Ph.D. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in 1999. His major area was organizational behavior. Dr. Corsun also holds a BS in Hotel Administration from Cornell and MS in Food Service Management from New York University. He has served as Director of the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management in the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver since July, 2007, and has previously taught at UNLV, Washington State University, NYU, and Cornell.

Dr. Corsun’s research interests are in the areas of empowerment, diversity, and labor-management relations. His work has been published in Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Management Inquiry, Human Relations, Journal of Management Development, Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, and International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.

Prior to attending graduate school, Dr. Corsun was a restaurateur in New York City, working in a management and/or consulting role in operations such as Tavern on the Green, The Greene Street Café, Live Bait, El Rio Grande, and Lincoln Center. He was also the chef-owner of Zanzibar & Grill, a jazz restaurant, from 1987-1990, and currently serves on the boards of Visit Denver, the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, and Tolteca Mexican Grill.

MEGHANN DAY

Hirsch Bedner Associates

Partner

Meghann showcases her design skills for premier hotel and resort projects in the global arena. Meghann is responsible for project management, FF&E selection and specifications, and interior architecture. Her project history includes luxury resort hotels, spas, clubhouses, condos, themed restaurants, and residences.

With a degree in Interior Design and Business Administration from Kansas State University, her diverse education creates a strong foundation for client communications, project management, and scheduling. Meghann’s extensive international travels have informed her strong sense of design and style. Her background combined with design experience instills Meghann as a valuable member of the HBA team for domestic and international project development.

SHERRY DECKER

Design Directions International

Vice President

Design Directions International (DDI) is an award-winning, internationally-recognized interior design firm specializing in hotels, conference centers, country clubs, restaurants, historical restorations, and other hospitality-related projects. DDI was founded in 1991 by President H. Linden (Buddy) McDowell, ASID, and Partner Sherry Decker. Mr. McDowell and Mrs. Decker are the recipients of several national design awards including the DoubleTree Hotels Pinnacle Award, Hilton Hotels Gold Key Award, and Georgia Chapter A.S.I.D Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. We have been featured speakers at many hospitality design conferences, as well as, being presented in professional publications such as Hospitality Design Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, and Hotel Business Magazine. Mrs. Decker has helped mold DDI into a successful and highly-respected design firm, completing more than 400 hotel and hospitality-related projects worldwide. With more than 33 years serving the hospitality industry, it’s been a pleasure building on our history, experience, and commitment to design excellence and customer satisfaction.

ANITA DEGEN

Degen & Degen

Managing Principal - Interior Design

As co-founder and principal interior designer of Degen & Degen architecture & interior design, Anita Degen brings deep and varied hospitality experience to every project.

Since 1994 she and life/business partner, Jeff Degen have focused their design practice on bringing creative solutions and design excellence to all types of hospitality & resort projects worldwide. Influenced by a lifelong love of travel and the world around her Anita finds constant inspiration in history, nature, and art.

Her career is built on diverse experience, including a BFA in interior design from Virginia Commonwealth University, corporate experience working for Marriott International and major international design firms, international boutique design while working in Berlin, Germany and 23 years of co-leading her Seattle based team of stellar design talent.

Active in numerous professional organizations such as IIDA and WA Lodging Association, Anita is most committed to education in hospitality. Her belief that it as the key to the development and future of hospitality design is evidenced by her active commitment to NEWH. Since 1994 she has served in many capacities including Vice President of Education and International President of NEWH.

MICHELE ESPELAND

Cuningham Group

Principal

Michele Espeland leads and manages the firm-wide interior design efforts of Cuningham Group Architecture, Inc. Since joining the international design firm in 2005, she has become an integral part of its success, providing project leadership and management expertise on a variety of interior design projects in the firm’s wide-ranging portfolio.

Michele believes good design is the result of collaboration between clients, team members and consultants. Her thoughtful approach helps to create innovative environments that offer an evolutionary perspective and provide sensitivity to the functional, social and environmental impact of each space. Her methods promote the integration of programming, space planning, three dimensional spatial design, feature elements, furnishings and materials to create fully encompassed designs.

MICHELLE FINN

HMG LLC / President

ST Media Group / SVP Boutique Design

Michelle Finn is senior vice president, Hospitality Division, ST Media Group International, and president and co-founder of the Hospitality Media Group LLC formed in 2012 for purposes of developing and managing trade fairs and events primarily focused on the hospitality industry, worldwide. In these roles, she oversees the management and development of its hospitality and related brands, which encompasses Boutique Design, Boutique Design Trade Fairs: BDNY and BD west held on an annual in New York City and Los Angeles respectively, Boutique Design forum series, Hospitality Match, Senior Lifestyle Design Match, and the management of the Hotel Experience (HX) trade show held in conjunction with BDNY.

Finn has received numerous awards for innovation in trade fair development, publishing, leadership and service. She is a member of the Hospitality Industry Network (NEWH), American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA), Cornell University Innovation Network, Boutique Lifestyle and Lodging Association (BLLA) and the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP).

ANDREA GRIGG

Jones Lang LaSalle

Executive VP and Principal

Ms. Grigg leads North America’s Asset Management practice for JLL and leads the Strategic Advisory for the West Coast Region. Specifically, she provides asset management services and manages highest and best use studies, market studies, valuation and acquisition due diligence assignments on individual hotels and portfolios, mixed-use master planned communities, and leisure real estate throughout the United States and Mexico. She brings more than 15 years of real estate and hospitality experience. Ms. Grigg is the lead asset manager for the St. Regis San Francisco, St. Regis Punta Mita, Viceroy Riviera Maya, Plaza Athénée New York, The Cape Los Cabos, Thompson Playa del Carmen and the Four Seasons Mexico City. Ms. Grigg is also the lead Hotel Development Advisor for the soon-under construction Grand Hyatt @ SFO Hotel.

Ms. Grigg has completed a wide variety of strategic and financial consulting projects concerning multiple types of real estate assets with locations throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Representative projects include the large-scale, resort master-planned communities of Punta Mita and El Tamarindo – both of which are situated on the west coast of Mexico. More recent work includes the valuation of the Calistoga Ranch Resort in Napa Valley, Saggio Hills at Healdsburg, Carmel Valley Ranch, Capella Resort and Residences in Los Cabos, St. Regis Resort and Residences in Deer Valley, La Solana Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, H5 Proposed Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, Proposed Thompson Hotel & Residences Los Cabos, Amangiri Resort and Residences in Utah, Snowmass Village in Colorado, Dancing Bear in Aspen, Sky Lodge in Park City, St. Regis Punta Mita, and the Tides Riviera Maya. Most recent Seattle work includes: feasibility study and appraisal of the Proposed SLS Seattle on 5th Avenue, Proposed Hotel and Residential Apartments on 5th Avenue and Virginia St., Proposed W Hotel @ Lincoln Square in Bellevue, and the Proposed Redmond Hotel Development.

Ms. Grigg was a Transactions Manager for Lynch Investments, LLC from May 2004 through January 2007, where she was active in all stages of transaction origination and execution. Ms. Grigg served as Vice President of Contact Development Corporation from December 1998 through February 2004, where she managed the areas of analyzing, “packaging” and marketing resort/hospitality and mixed-use real estate investments.

Ms. Grigg graduated from the University of Morón School of Tourism in Argentina in 1995. Ms. Grigg is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is an active member of the ULI and HAMA.

GLENN HAUSSMAN

Editor at Large / Questex

President / Rouse Media

Glenn Haussman, President of Rouse Media, and Editor at Large at Hotel Management magazine, is a featured keynote speaker and event moderator, lodging industry trends expert, columnist and writer. He’s also the host of the popular ‘No Vacancy’ podcast.
Glenn is the consummate traveler, enjoying the worlds of hospitality and travel as observer, educator and guest. As a frequent moderator and speaker, his unique motivational style and viewpoint gets people rethinking conventional thinking in a way designed to promote career and business empowerment. The No vacancy podcast attracts the biggest names in hospitality, and was chosen by USA Today to as best podcast to listen to while traveling.
Glenn is regularly quoted in leading publications such as the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, MSNBC.com, CNN.com, Chicago Tribune and tours the country as a featured event speaker. Glenn has previously served as adjunct professor at New York University, teaching classes in Public Relations & Advertising, and Consumer Behavior, at the Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management.
Find Glenn on Twitter @TravelingGlenn or via email [email protected].

JOHN HOGAN

Full Service Core Brand Hotels

Vice President of Design and Project Management

John Hogan, Vice President of Design and Project Management, the Americas Full Service Core Brands for Marriott Global Design Americas, leads design and project management teams, ensuring successful execution of full service hotel projects from the initial planning stages through opening.

John brings extensive design and project management experience to his position. During his 21 years with Marriott International, he has overseen the design and opening of more than 75 hotels, 75 Senior Living Service facilities, and was a key contributor to the domestic CapEx program. Through his passion for design and his commitment to delivering project excellence, he has proven to be a valuable resource to the owners, operators, and his team.

John holds an Architecture degree from the New York Institute of Technology, and is a licensed architect in Maryland, Delaware, and New York.

DEZIRAE JANOWICZ

Tandem

Director of Operations / Interior Designer

Dezirae is a creative mind with a fresh perspective on interiors. Her sophistication and style always come through in her designs, where she enjoys a fun quirk or chic twist to add interest to the interiors. Along with refined finishes, smart space planning, and new and exciting concepts, her spaces have a personality of their own.

After obtaining her Bachelor’s from UNLV, Dezirae followed her lifelong interest in design and took her flair for creativity into the Interior Design program at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. There her artistic juices could really flow and she became enveloped in all things design. After graduating with an emphasis on Hospitality design and an interest in returning to her beloved Las Vegas, Dezirae found
a home at Tandem. Here, her style and passion marry wonderfully with the vision of the
firm.

During Dezirae’s time with the company, she has risen through the ranks and grown “in tandem” with Tandem. While still seeking knowledge each day, Dezirae helps cultivate young designers, helping them grow with the firm as she has. Her skills continue to be honed and nurtured, all while allowing her to explore her creativity and to work on exciting projects that feed her imagination and innovative thinking.

Dezirae is a member of Boutique Design’s Boutique 18 – Class of 2015, a lover of the outdoors, a traveling enthusiast, and a devoted pet owner. Most days, you can find Thor (her furry companion & administrative assistant) working hard (ahem, napping) under her desk, and other days in her backpack- enjoying the view of the great outdoors.

JOSEPH S. KHAIRALLAH

Marcus Hotels & Resorts

President and COO

Joseph S. Khairallah is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. He oversees all business operations for the hotel division.

Khairallah joined the company in 2013 following a 30-year career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts where he gained extensive experience managing business operations across six continents and 44 countries. Prior to his current position, he served as Vice President of Rooms, Spa and Security for the Hyatt Americas Group where he supported 383 hotels, oversaw 155 properties and 30 spas.

Khairallah’s approach to hospitality operations focuses on engaging employees, improving profitability and providing exceptional customer experiences. Since taking the leadership role of Marcus Hotels, he has successfully aligned the company’s efforts on customer-impacting initiatives and has garnered support for large investments in infrastructure and new technology deployments.

Khairallah grew up in Lebanon and has acquired a hotel management degree from the prestigious Institut Haulot in Brussels, Belgium.

He studied six languages and believes that languages can be instrumental in bridging cultural barriers in the workplace and society as a whole. He is passionate about education and frequently takes time to share his industry knowledge and experience with students across several universities that specialize in hospitality studies.

He serves on the national board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Hilton Hotels’ Full Service Advisory Board, and Oklahoma State University’s School of Hotel & Restaurant advisory board. He is also Vice Chair and board member of Visit Milwaukee.

BECCA KUNDYSEK

Cuningham Group

Interior Design 2

Rebecca Kundysek started her hospitality design career in Dallas, TX as a co-op student working for Wilson Associates. While majoring in interior design at the University of Cincinnati, she received an NEWH Chicago Chapter Scholarship both her Junior and senior year. This was just the beginning of an unknown journey with NEWH and its mission of Scholarship.

After graduating from University of Cincinnati, Kundysek moved to Fort Myers, FL receiving a position as a Store Designer for Chico’s FAS. There she focused on cultivating her design and construction expertise and mentoring co-op students while staying connected to the NEWH community. After several years developing a new Brand concept for Soma Intimates, Kundysek relocated to Minneapolis and became actively involved with the NEWH North Central Chapter. By attending NEWH events, she expanded her network and secured a design position at Studio Hive working on projects ranging from sports entertainment to corporate office. Kundysek has since returned to designing for the hospitality market with Cuningham Architecture Group.

Since her move to Minneapolis, Kundysek has served as NEWH North Central Chapter Scholarship Director. She finds satisfaction paying it forward to the next generation of prospective hospitality leaders. Kundysek also served as Vice President of Administration and just transitioned into the Past-President position for the North Central Board finishing her 2016 Presidency. She plans to continue growing her relationship with NEWH by serving her second term as Scholarship Director on the NEWH International Board. Kundysek encourages others to follow their dreams and grasp onto opportunities when they present themselves.

ELIZABETH LANE

RPW Design

Director of Projects

Elizabeth Lane is our highly accomplished Director of Projects and has been vital in the maintenance of RPW Design’s reputation as an Interior Design studio in which beautiful interiors and operational functionality work in complete harmony. Working closely with all the design teams, Elizabeth guides the teams throughout the design process so to deliver first class outcomes suiting the diverse projects. From luxury city hotels, to countryside golfing resorts and exclusive private clubs, Elizabeth has an extensive understanding of operational requirements as a result of her career in hospitality operations.

WILLIAM G. LANGMADE

Purchasing Management International

Founder & CEO

Mr. Langmade attended the University of Southern California and Pepperdine University where he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration and an M.B.A. respectively. In addition to his over 25 years’ experience in hospitality purchasing, Mr. Langmade also has extensive background in real estate development, construction and hotel management in the hospitality and gaming industries.

Mr. Langmade founded PMI in 1994 and since then the company has become one of the largest volume FF&E agents in the Hospitality and Gaming industries procuring over $2.5 Billion in FF&E and OS&E around the world. He has been active in speaking engagements regarding renovations and new construction at the International Hotel & Restaurant Show in New York, BDNY and BDWest, ALIS, HD Expo Las Vegas, the Lodging Conference as well as NEWH and AH&LA functions throughout the country. He has also contributed to articles in Hotels Magazine, Hotel Business, Lodging, Hotel Spec, Global Gaming Magazine, and Gaming Design publications.

Mr. Langmade has been a member of the Allied Executive Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and has participated at its annual Legislative Action Summit in Washington D.C. Additionally, he is a board member of the Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners Association (ASFONA) , is an Founding Member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and is an allied member of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD). Mr. Langmade is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and a member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH).

Mr. Langmade has been awarded membership in Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle for his company’s achievements in the design purchasing industry.

DAVE MCCASLIN

Hersha Hospitality Management

Executive Vice President

In 2001, Mr. McCaslin departed MeriStar to form Smilezzzz Hospitality, LLC with the intention of forming an entrepreneurial, boutique hotel company. In January 2002, Mr. McCaslin partnered with Gary Mendell and Steve Mendell of real estate investment firm HEI Hospitality ("HEI") and became one of the four members of the HEI General Partnership. In 2004, HEI raised $274 million in HEI Hospitality Fund I, a hospitality-focused private equity fund which went on to profitability.

In 2007, Mr. McCaslin formed EAC Hospitality, a hospitality consulting firm focused on operational improvements and organizational reviews. During this time, Mr. McCaslin worked on several large hotel projects that were in distress and evaluated two companies for acquisitions or partnership opportunities with investment partners and consulted on the acquisition of the SLS Las Vegas and the founding of Virgin Hotels.

In 2009, after consulting with Northwood for over a year, Mr. McCaslin joined full time as President of the newly formed subsidiary Northwood Hospitality. The conversion of the Radisson Boston to The Revere led to Fortune magazine naming it one of the top 9 best new business hotels in the world. The $140,000,000 million dollar renovation of The New York Palace was completed on time and won several awards. The portfolio achieved an over $2 billion dollar valuation prior to a strategic liquidation where each realized investment had a 20% IRR or higher.

In 2015, Mr. McCaslin joined HHM as Executive Vice President. There he oversees acquisitions for the firm’s private investments and heads up asset management of those assets.

Prior to co-founding CapStar, Mr. McCaslin served in various operating capacities for Lincoln Hotels, a division of Lincoln Property Company in Dallas, Texas and for Westin Hotels.

Mr. McCaslin graduated from the Foodservice and Lodging program at the University of Missouri-Columbia and was the first recipient of their distinguished alumni award.

ANISSA MENDIL

3rdstory

Director of Interior Architecture & Design

After a six-month internship at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Scottsdale, Arizona, Anissa went on to receive a diploma in Interior Architecture from the University of Applied Sciences in Rosenheim, Germany, her native country. Thereafter, Anissa gained work experience in the United States and Germany before relocating to the UK in 2007, where she co-founded Seven am Design with Ben Meyer in London. During this time, Anissa also began her training in classical Feng Shui.

Anissa's passion for the Southwest couldn't keep her away for long so she returned to Arizona in 2013, where she is now the creative force behind the interiors division of 3rd story. Anissa has a proven track record in residential, hospitality, and corporate office design, where she blends form and function to create inspiring interiors. Through her love for design and with a collaborative team by her side, Anissa looks forward with both excitement and optimism to working with 3rd story's clients.

Anissa also enjoys expressing her creativity through her involvement in product design, where she is a designer for Ritzenhoff, a German Glass and Earthenware manufacturer. Her range of products are sold all over the world. Anissa loves to cook, concentrating on creative and healthy cuisine. You will also often find her in the yoga studio where she enjoys spending her free time.

COREY NYMAN

The Nyman Group

Director of Operations

Corey T. Nyman, Director of Operations for The Nyman Group, is passionate about the total Food & Beverage experience, believing that in an operation, “You need to be the consummate host, always anticipating guest needs – even beyond the culinary elements – to give them an extraordinary experience, from the moment they walk through the door until they leave. It’s important to make each and every guest feel special in some fashion.” Corey has been able to transition this care and zeal for the guest into the development of new projects for the organization along with day to day operations working with clients domestically and internationally. He is a partner and co-founder of Labor Wines, a boutique wine project from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, started with the 2009 vintage now in its 7th year of production. Corey has worked with acclaimed chefs and companies including Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Piero Selvaggio, Hilton Worldwide and Caesars Entertainment. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management from the University of Denver and currently sits on the Executive Advisory Board at the Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, Daniels College of Business at the university.

JAGRUTI PANWALA

Wealth Protection Strategies/President & CEO

AAHOA Secretary 2016-17

Born in Surat, India, Jagruti Panwala was 15 when she immigrated to the U.S. in 1991 with her parents, Dinesh and Minaxi Panwala. After earning undergraduate degrees in finance and economics at East Stroudsburg University, Jagruti bought her first hotel in 2001. She later formed Wealth Protection Strategies, an asset management and succession planning firm. She currently serves as its President & CEO. She and her husband have owned and operated multiple franchised hotels and currently have a Best Western under construction in the Bronx, NY. For more than a decade, Jagruti has been an active AAHOA member. In 2011 and again in 2014, Jagruti was elected to serve as AAHOA’s Female Director at Large, Eastern Division -- a position she currently holds. In her first year, Jagruti was awarded the Chairman’s Award for Excellence. In 2014, she testified before a congressional subcommittee to bring the voice of hoteliers to the forefront of discussions regarding joint-employer status. Jagruti was elected to the position of AAHOA Secretary in 2016, making her the first female officer in AAHOA history.

MEG PRENDERGAST

The Gettys Group

Principal

As Principal of Design at The Gettys Group, Meg brings nearly three decades of diversified
hospitality experience to the team. She is an internal luxury expert, a leader in strategic
brand thinking and is well-versed in our global work.

Meg is dedicated in guiding her team to deliver luxury hospitality designs with a gracious approach. Her broad project experience includes all aspects of hospitality design from client relationship management to programming and concepting an entire project.

Meg’s portfolio includes destination luxury resorts and spas, upscale hotels and high-end residential — with hundreds of commissions for the most prominent hotel companies and owners.

In addition, Meg has received several recognitions and awards from the industry and her peers, and frequently guest lectures at her alma mater, Harrington College of Design. Her work has been published in Hospitality Design, Boutique Design, Lodging Hospitality Design, Contract, The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Architect Magazine, among others.

BRIAN QUINN

Choice Hotels International

Vice President/Franchise Development

As Vice President of Franchise Development at Choice Hotels International, Mr. Quinn is responsible for leading franchise development in the United States for Choice brands, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay.

Mr. Quinn most recently served as chief franchise officer at RLHC (Red Lion Hotels Corporation) where he introduced the company’s first nationwide development team, launched its newest brand and supported the acquisition and integration of Boomerang Hotels and Vantage Hospitality. Previously, he held various leadership roles in development, franchising and hotel operations with InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton and Driftwood Hospitality Management.

JOSH RADOFF

YR&G: Yarmuth Radoff Green

Principal & Co-Founder

Josh is a founding Principal at YR&G. He has a background in sustainable energy engineering and works at the intersection of sustainability in the built environment, integration of sustainable energy systems, and organizational sustainability initiatives. Josh has consulted on a wide variety of projects for both public and private sector clients– nationally and internationally–and is a regular writer and speaker on sustainability topics including conference keynote and college commencement addresses. His work has been featured in print and web magazine articles, blogs, and book essays.

Josh has led a variety of projects in the form of strategic guidance, charrette and workshop facilitation, design assistance, and technical analysis. He has managed built environment projects pursuing nearly all of the LEED rating systems, Enterprise Green Communities, Living Building Challenge, Net Zero Energy, and WELL Building Certification.

Josh is an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Denver teaching classes on Sustainable Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Systems. He is also co-chair of the ULI Colorado Building Healthy Places committee, a Board Member of DRCOG’s Sustainable Communities Initiative Executive Committee, and a current member of USGBC’s LEED Advisory Committee.

STEVE REISWIG

BRE Select Hotels

VP/Design and Construction

Steve Reiswig has spent his career in the Hospitality Design and Construction industry. Over the last 22 years Steve has managed design and construction for some of the biggest names in the hotel industry including, Starwood, Strategic Hotels and Resorts, FelCor, Wyndham/Patriot and many more. Steve currently oversees "all things D&C" for BRE Select Hotels over its 210 hotel portfolio.

TOM RICCA

Ricca Design Studios

Founding Executive Principal

As an Executive Principal, Tom shares the management of the business with his four partners. He teaches our staff the concepts of good design, customer service, and personal effectiveness. He reviews and critiques many of the plan concepts before presentations, and actively designs many of our current projects.

In 1973, Tom blended his education in Architecture and Hotel and Restaurant Management with his experience in Foodservice operations and formed Thomas Ricca Associates. His unique sensitivity to form and function, with equal empathy for the architectural vision and the day-to-day needs of a foodservice staff, found immediate success. The firm continues to be one of the most innovative foodservice design firms in the country.

Tom has played a major role in 30+ national award-winning projects. In 1984, Tom was selected as the first “Young Lion.” Since 1973, Tom has been an adjunct professor teaching the “Hotel & Restaurant Design” course at the University of Denver’s School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism, and he has been a member of the Distinguished Lecturers Series. He has been a member of the instructor team for Harvard University’s GSD course in “Campus Center Design.” In 2003, FES Magazine named Tom a “Consultant All Star,” and in 2013, Tom was the first foodservice consultant to be placed into the FES Magazine Hall of Fame.

NARISARA SAROBHAS

OZ Architecture

NEWH Scholarship Recipient

Narisara Sarobhas is an innovative interior and architectural designer specializing in Hospitality and Multi-Family design. She is currently working at OZ Architecture and pursuing her Master Degree. She was born and raised in the land of smiles also known as Thailand where she learned to be bilingual and multicultural. Through traveling at a young age and understanding many cultures, she has a passion in designing an universal language of space and creating memories within space. As a past NEWH scholarship recipient, she is currently serving the board as a Marketing Director after spending three years as a Scholarship Director.

SHIRLI SENSENBRENNER

Two Roads Hospitality

VP/Dir. Design+Construction

As Senior Vice President, Design + Development Services, Shirli Sensenbrenner plays an integral role in business development for Two Roads Hospitality, creating a vision for potential acquisitions through programming and budget, as well as repositioning and upgrading the existing portfolio. With over 27 years of experience in both high-end interior architectural design and project management, Sensenbrenner has a keen eye for strategy and creative direction, strengthening functionality and improving aesthetics in prospective hotels.

Prior to joining Two Roads Hospitality, Sensenbrenner worked in commercial design where she met the Two Roads team when working on their headquarters in 1998. It was then she discovered a passion for hotel design, and her curiosity brought her to the Two Roads Hospitality team. Since that time, Sensenbrenner has continued to grow her responsibilities, currently serving as a member of the Two Roads Hospitality executive committee, while overseeing her team on capital expenditure planning and upgrades for newly acquired properties and existing structures. She is also a Lowe Enterprises shareholder.

Sensenbrenner received her B.A. in Design from the University of Cincinnati, and studied Architectural Theory & History at the University of Texas, Austin.

KACEY SHARP

Inside Evolutions

NEWH Scholarship Recipient

Kacey is the Lead Designer for Inside Evolutions. She graduated with educational honors from the Art Institute of Houston with a B.F.A in Interior Design. During her time there she won both scholarships in national and local Design competitions. Kacey’s professional career consisted of 5 years design, furniture specification, and project management experience. Kacey maintains her involvement with design community with and NEWH; she currently holds the NEWH-Houston Chapter, President.

JEANNE STARLING

MGM Resorts International

Dir./Design Development

Jeanne Lynne Starling is the Director of Design Development for MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN. As a leader of the MRID design group, she facilitates the design services provided by the in-house studio for the Company. Ms Starling is responsible for generating excellence in the results of each Capital Expenditure project and ensuring that the brand values of the Company are reflected in the completed work. Throughout the past 11 years with MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, she has been called upon to provide her leadership and hospitality design experience, initially as the Director of Interior Design and later as the Director of Design Development. Highlights include serving with the Beau Rivage team after Hurricane Katrina, leading the interior design team for the Aria hotel tower, guiding the MRID design team in the completion of every MGM Resorts hotel tower re-brand or remodel since 2005, leading the design group in multiple boutique brand debuts to Las Vegas and managing interior design services provided by the in-house studio and consultants for hundreds of Capex projects.

Before joining MGM Resorts (MGM MIRAGE Design Group) in 2005, Ms Starling was the Managing Director and Director of Interior Design in the Orlando, FL office of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) a firm widely recognized as specialists in destination resort architecture, planning and design, with numerous offices worldwide. Her dual roles included managing the daily operations of the Orlando practice, promoting business development for architecture and design services, casting creative direction for domestic and international destination resort and hospitality projects and assisting hospitality clients in developing brand standards for their property portfolios.

Jeanne is nationally certified as an Interior Designer by NCIDQ and is a Registered Interior Designer in Nevada and Florida. She holds a BS Degree in Art - Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and has completed hundreds of hours of post-graduate education to stay current in an industry that continues to evolve and change in exciting ways. One of her passions has been to serve as a design educator for the UNLV Interior Architecture program for 10 years. She has been honored with many awards in design competitions and is a recipient of the Fielden Medal for Contributions of Excellence to Architectural Education.

PHOEBE STEIN

Phoebe Stein Public Relations

President

Phoebe is a marketing communications specialist with more than 30 years experience in public relations, marketing and communications.

Focused on branding and top positioning for her clients, Phoebe has executed successful public relations campaigns and marketing initiatives on behalf of numerous clients within the hospitality/contract design industry including, but not limited to: Crypton; Enduratex (CGPC); Hospitality Media Group (HMG); HD Expo and Conference; Hunter Douglas Hospitality; Keyston Bros./ KB Contract; LTM Textiles; NEWH; Senior Lifestyle Design Match; Shaw Industries; and SONNY+ASH.

Additionally, Phoebe has represented key brands and independent hotels/ resorts from the Midwestern Pheasant Run Resort, to Ventana Canyon Resort and La Paloma resorts, in Tucson, AZ, Bass Hotels, Embassy Suites (Chicago), the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, as well as several hotel management companies.

Her consumer work includes development and execution of campaigns for consumer giants: SONY Display Systems Division; SONY Electronics; MADD; OLDSMOBILE; BAYER and US West Communications.

Phoebe’s crisis management work in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, earned her a PRSA Silver Anvil Commendation award.

She has served as in-house, independent counsel at Leo Burnett, and managed national accounts for global public relations firms and today operates Phoebe Stein Public Relations, Inc.

A graduate of The University of Arizona, Phoebe holds degrees in Radio and Television and Journalism. She resides in Chicago with her husband and two children.

BROOKE TAYLOR

Arcsine

Director of Interiors

Brooke Taylor joined Arcsine in 2013 to launch the firm’s interiors practice; building on her remarkable client rapport and esteemed standing in the local design community, she has expanded the team to 6 designers in just 3 years. Over the course of her 14 years in the industry, Brooke has cultivated a process that develops thoughtful design solutions to capture the core essence of each project. She has a gift for intuiting a client’s priorities and values, while keeping her sights on the aerial view of the project’s vision and end goals. Supported by a talented team, Brooke has a way of drawing out the essential design elements and creating an atmosphere of trust and collaboration that yields a successful experience for the client and design team. Brooke has a Master of Arts in Interior Design, and became NCIDQ certified in 2012.

LAURIE WOLIUNG

Marriott International

Senior Director/Interior Design

Laurie Woliung, Sr. Director of Interior Design, recently promoted to lead the interior design process for Distinctive Brands inclusive of AC, Moxy, Aloft and Element. Previous to this Laurie led the Marriott internal design team in renovation projects for Marriott full service brands. She directed the program focused on educating and influencing customers on hotel brand product and services, partnered with brand to deliver design solutions that impart brand strategy, led the team for interior design and architecture projects - provided oversight to the design team in full service hospitality interior design for both standard and custom interiors within a solid pipeline of sustainable projects. Laurie brings in excess of 30 year of design experience to her position. Before Laurie took her position at Marriott she worked as the Director of Hospitality Design at BBGM Washington, DC, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Choice Hotels, and previously with Marriott as the Design Manager for Renaissance Hotels. Prior to joining Marriott Laurie owned her own design and construction firm supporting 35 design and production professionals. Her design knowledge has contributed to the success of several recent projects including her involvement with Brand initiatives - The M Club Lounge, the new Marriott Guestroom Design Strategy – reimaging the Marriott Brand in the spirit of Marriott Modern, and the Marriott Greatroom initiative.