Christina Zimmer
OwnerZimmer Studio
Christina Zimmer, AIA, is an industry-leading architect, designer, and hospitality expert. With a wealth of experience, Christina has consistently spearheaded the development of independent and branded hotels, overseeing every stage from initial concept to final realization.
At Zimmer Studio, she serves as a consulting expert in the hospitality industry, offering direct guidance to owners. From high-level strategic planning to reviews of construction documentation, her input coupled with her extensive network and deep understanding of hotel operations, are invaluable assets that ensure the success of any project.
Christina honed these skills as a pivotal member of Highgate’s Design and Construction team, collaborating with top-tier designers and architects in the industry. Leading the oversight of Highgate’s most complex projects, including The Newbury Boston, Scottsdale Plaza Hotel, Pacific Edge Hotel, and Monterey Tides Hotel. Driven by her fervor for design and dedication to the hotel design community, Christina was honored to serve on the design juries for both the Hospitality Design Awards, AHEAD Americas Design Awards, and Radical Innovation.
Before her tenure at Highgate, Christina held the position of Senior Vice President of Design & Construction at Ian Schrager Company, contributing to world-class projects, such as Public New York and Edition West Hollywood. Prior to her time at Ian Schrager, she served as Principal at Stonehill Taylor Architects, one of the industry’s most prominent architecture and design firms. Many of Christina’s projects have garnered acclaim, earning prestigious awards such as Gold Keys for The Refinery Hotel, The St. Regis New York, and The NoMad Hotels.
Originally from Louisiana, Christina has made Brooklyn her home for the past 25 years. Before settling in New York City, she took time to explore and pursue an independent European Art and Architecture continuing education. With family ties in Denmark, she maintains a rusty ability to speak Danish.
RIKA LISSLO
Vice President of DevelopmentHyatt Americas
UBS - Fourth Floor Fellow - Hyatt Global Wellbeing Council Member - International Luxury Hotel Association Board Member - Culinary Institute of America - Society of Fellows Board Member
Ms. Lisslö, as Vice President of Hyatt Americas Development team, is responsible for origination, portfolio growth, development, brand partnership, and identifying new business opportunities. She oversees growth of Hyatt’s Lifestyle, Wellness, Luxury & Collection brands: Thompson, AlilA, Park Hyatt, Miraval, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Destination, Unbound, and JDV.
Ms. Lisslö has broad-based development expertise and a proven track record of success in mixed-use development; leasing, capital markets, investments, sales, brand building, F&B, luxury retail and entertainment. In addition, she maintains high client and capital partner relationships across multiple industry disciplines. She’s an accomplished deal maker who’s skilled in market research, sight selection, negotiation, and transaction execution (+1bn)
Ms. Lisslö is heavily involved in project start-up strategies within Prop/Fin/Hospitality-Tech and Luxury Fashion. Her unique profile and adaptability position her well for companies looking to grow through strategic relationships and corporate partnerships. A UBS -Fourth Floor Startup Fellow - with the mission to diversify board representation.
CBS Host - Hotels by Design.
Urban Arts board member
Nordic International Film Festival board member
eran chen, AIA
Founder, Executive DirectorODA
Since establishing ODA in 2007, Eran Chen has earned a reputation for mold-breaking designs that will deliver a better urban future. Having completed more than 50 buildings in just over a decade, he has become one of the most prolific architects in New York. Chen's work has been widely published around the world and recognized by the AIA, the Society of American Registered Architects and others. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, teaching Design by Development. His recent projects include the renovation of the former Postkantoor in Rotterdam, an urban plan in Chicago, and the conversion of a defunct parking garage into a public park and class A office building in Buenos Aires. His writings on architecture have been published in ODA’s book, Unboxing New York.
ALEX LOPATYNSKY, AIA, FITWEL AMBASSADOR
Principal, Managing DirectorCooper Carry
Alex Lopatynsky is an architect, innovator and culture advocate who is passionate about the design of communities, spaces and experiences that connect people. She partners with clients to create places that inspire interaction and enrich social experiences. Alex received her Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute School of Architecture, Brooklyn, NY and Rome, Italy. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, National Organization of Minority Architects, NEWH - the Hospitality Industry Network, ULI NY Women’s Leadership Initiative and CREW New York. Alex is also a Fitwel Ambassador.
As a principal at Cooper Carry, Alex manages the firm’s New York presence, oversees the design of creative and complex projects, and catalyzes the firm’s growth in the Northeast region. Alex leads design efforts for projects ranging from retail repositioning, multi-family residential renovations to hotel and restaurant experiences. She was one of the founding members of Cooper Carry’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. Alex aims to foster a dynamic workplace culture within Cooper Carry that empowers teams to design forward-thinking environments that exceed client expectations and enhance the lives of their users.
Michael Medzigian
Chairman & Managing PartnerWatermark Capital Partners
Michael G. Medzigian is Chairman, CEO and Director of Watermark Lodging Trust, a real estate investment management firm. He has led some of the world’s largest real estate private equity funds and has overseen over $17 billion of investments. He was previously President and CEO of Lazard Freres Real Estate Investors, overseeing the repositioning of an opportunity fund operation with five equity funds, $3 billion of committed capital and a $7 billion portfolio of holdings in12 operating companies in the office, industrial, retail, lodging, senior living, homebuilding, multifamily, condominium, land, mezzanine lending, and net lease sectors.
Medzigian was previously a Founding Partner of Olympus Real Estate Corporation, the real estate fund management affiliate of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, which during his tenure invested over$3 billion in a broad range of real estate holdings. Earlier in his career, Medzigian was President of Cohen Realty Services, he founded and was National Director of the Hospitality Consulting Practice at Deloitte & Touche, and he held various management positions with Marriott Corporation. Medzigian has served on numerous public and private boards and is a graduate of Cornell University.
James Woods
With more than 25-years of experience in real estate, finance and hospitality, James' career has been focused on the ownership, development and management of complicated, operationally insensitive assets. He is currently focused on investments in investing in real estate, hospitality assets, and related businesses.
Most recently, James was as senior member of the executive team at WeWork Capital Advisors (WeCap), an SEC-registered real estate investment manager with approximately $3 billion of assets under management at its peak. While at WeCap, James had responsibility for investing in real estate on behalf of the company and its investors in WeCap-managed vehicles, asset management of a diverse portfolio of office, retail and land/redevelopment assets, and portfolio management with a focus on macro-level risk mitigation. Prior to the formation of WeCap, James was responsible for the development and expansion of WeWork's short-term, serviced residential offering, WeLive.
James has been an investor and operator of a diversified group of properties and properties across most asset classes and many markets. Prior to joining WeWork in January 2017, James spent nearly five years as President and COO of Dayglo Ventures, a private-equity backed company focused primarily on out-of-home live entertainment and hospitality. James was prior a senior partner in Dallas-based real estate private equity firm, Hayman Woods, where he focused on investments in residential and lifestyle properties as well as in the hospitality sector through its affiliate, Keen Partners.
A graduate of New York University’s Stern School of Business, Woods began his career as a member of the acquisitions team at DLJ Merchant Banking's real estate fund, DLJ RECP. In 2002, he joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he managed the creation and launch of both the Aloft and Element brands and prior was charged with the expansion of the W hotels, including the brand's expansion into branded residential.
Mark Friesen
PrincipalBeyer Brown & Associates
Mark Friesen has been in the hospitality industry for over 22 years and is the Principal of Beyer Brown & Assoc. which was founded in 1978. Having several offices internationally and domestically, Orlando, FL is the headquarters for Beyer Brown. During his career, Mark has overseen over 2 billion dollars in FF&E purchasing and has worked on every major hotel brand including Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Kimpton, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and many many others. Currently living in Vancouver, BC Canada, Mark travels extensively and maintains a very active industry reputation.
Damien Perrot
Global Chief Design, Technical Services and Innovation Officer - Accor Premium, Midscale & Economy brandsAfter graduating from Vatel Hospitality School, Damien Perrot joined Accor in 1998 as IT Project manager for the Wagon-Lits Company. He was then appointed Project manager in the Procurement Department.
From 2000 to 2012, he successfully occupied various positions within the Hotels Equipment Services: asIT Project leader first, then as Department Director before being appointed Design & Technical Services Communication Director in 2009. In 2013, he joined the ibis Family teams as Technical Vice-President for Europe.
From 2014 to 2022, Damien led the Group Global Design department and from 2021 the Innovation Lab as well. As of January 2023, he oversees the Global Design, Technical Services and Innovation for Premium, Midscale & Economy brands at Accor.
Damien’s major challenge today is to define and deploy the Design and Innovation strategy for the Premium, Midscale & Economy brands. He also ensures to reinforce the brand equity and brand identity, bringing his team and the group strategy beyond hospitality traditional borders in terms of design, technical services and innovation. Always respecting operational obligations, the department Damien leads is increasingly looking for creativity to build experiences and arouse emotions, while also increasing the performance for our investors.
John Edelman
CEOHeller Furniture
John Edelman purchased Heller in May 2022, serving as President and CEO while steering the future of this iconic furnishings brand. He spent 14 years at Edelman Leather, including six as President and CEO. John’s leadership approach was defined by his family’s principles of authenticity and “doing well by doing good.” Along with John McPhee, he re-envisioned the company. Soon after, he turned his family’s namesake brand into a global trademark by expanding into four luxury lifestyle categories – private aviation, hospitality, corporate interiors, and residential interiors – before helping facilitate the sale to Knoll, Inc. in 2007.
In 2010, John purchased Design Within Reach with McPhee. In 2014, Herman Miller, Inc. purchased the renewed DWR and John stayed on as CEO of both DWR and Herman Miller Consumer Group before departing in 2019. John sits on the Chilewich Board of Directors as well as being the Executive Chairman of Crypton Fabrics. In the past, he has served on the Board of Trustees for DIFFA, and currently serves on the Board of Design Leadership Network and the Be Original Americas Board of Directors. In May, 2022, he was bestowed an honorary doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design.
CLAUDE AMAR
Managing DirectorThe Hardy Group Int.
Claude Amar joined The Hardy Group in 2002 as Managing Director of a joint venture between The Hardy Group and The Square Group, based in Paris, and is responsible for The Hardy Group’s international operations and development. Amar earned his Baccalaureate in Mathematics with honors from the University of Nice, France and a PhD in Architecture from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Amar’s vast professional experience includes 15 years with the IH Group, working as the Director of Development, responsible for projects and developments in Europe and Asia, notably the Meridien Hotels and Resorts in Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam. From 1990-2000, IH Group was the majority shareholder (65%) of AmanResorts and spearheaded the company’s expansion alongside its President, Adrian Zecha. In addition, during this time Amar was responsible for the design, project management, construction and construction financing of L’Ermitage, Beverly Hills, CA, a $66 million renovation. Amar has also worked as Managing Director and General Manager of the Kaufmann Group and Pel Europ, both international trading houses; as the Director of Architecture for the 5-star hotel chain, Nova Park International of Paris and Zurich; as Technical Director with Sodefra, Paris, a financial and industrial group specializing in international hotel development; as Project Manager for William B. Tabler Architects in New York City and as Project Leader at Ivan Katarincek Architects, Paris. Amar is a mediator, certified by the IMI (International Mediation Institute) and accredited in France and, as such, has expertise in dispute resolution.
John hardy
Chairman and FounderThe Hardy Group
John R. Hardy founded The Hardy Group in 1992. Prior to the formation of The Hardy Group, he was the Group Vice President of Architecture and Construction for Interstate Hotels Corporation. During his tenure, Hardy was instrumental as a principal in the development, design and construction of 14 first-class full-service hotels and the renovation of various types of hotels nationally. Hardy was also a principal in the architectural firm of Golemon & Rolfe Associates, Inc., Houston, and was associated early in his career with William B. Tabler Architects, New York City.
Hardy is a 1973 graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and received a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs from Hunter College in New York City in 1976. He is a Registered Architect in multiple states, and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the Project Management Institute, the American Institute of Architects, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, and the Urban Land Institute. Hardy has been a guest lecturer at Cornell University Hotel School, the University of Illinois, the Savannah College of Art and Design, the UCLA Investment Conference, the Hotel Investment Conference, the Lodging Conference, the New Americas Lodging Investment Summit, the HD Summit, HD Expo and HD Boutique conferences and various other industry conferences.Hardy has also been published and quoted in industry-related articles in the national, regional, and local media.
simon turner
Managing DirectorAlpha Lodging Partners
Simon Turner has held diverse leadership roles covering numerous facets of the hotel sector including senior executive and board oversight of public and private hospitality enterprises. He has extensive global strategic and transactional experience related to complex property assets, brands, and operating businesses. His experience has also included advisory assignments, asset management, capital-raising, loan restructuring, M&A, and expert witness testimony. His current advisory activities include providing investment and strategic advisory services to a broad spectrum of hospitality sector companies and investors. He has also invested in and is an advisor to early stage companies in the hotel technology and alternative/experiential lodging space. He was previously President, Global Development for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. His prior experience includes: Principal, Hotel Capital Advisers, Inc., a hotel investment advisory firm overseeing both hotel brands (Four Seasons and Fairmont) and property investments in North America and Europe; hotel sector investment banker at Salomon Brothers based in both New York and London; Manager, Pannell Kerr Forster, an international hotel and tourism consulting firm; and Operations Analyst in Saudi Arabia for Gustar Hoteliers, a Swiss-based hotel management and marketing company.He previously served on the boards of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: FS), Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and ClubCorp Holdings (NYSE:MYCC). Turner was an elected Trustee of the Urban Land Institute and past member of the Real Estate Roundtable. He is currently a board member of Carey Watermark Investors I, a non-traded lodging REIT, and is currently an Adjunct Instructor at NYU’s hospitality program.
LARRY TRAXLER
SVP Global Head - Architecture & DesignHilton Hotels
Over the last 14 years, Larry and his talented team of global design professionals have worked closely with developers, owners, operators, architects, and designers to ensure that the brand ethos and unique style of Hilton’s nearly 7,600 properties around the world are attained. They also actively spearhead the design strategy and rollout for Hilton’s newest brand launches and innovative partnerships.
Larry and his team lead Hilton’s partnership with Voyager Space, a global leader in exploration, positioning Hilton as the official hotel partner of Starlab, Voyager’s planned free-flying commercial space station. The partnership demonstrates Hilton’s industry-leading expertise in creative and efficient design solutions, showing both astronauts and space tourists that it matters where you stay.
Prior to joining Hilton in 2009, Larry was Vice President, Design & Architecture at Hyatt Hotels. With more than 30 years of hospitality industry experience, his international design expertise spans from early career positions with Jordan Mozer & Associates to his role in Singapore as Design & Managing Director for world-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates. Throughout Larry’s career, he has also held design leadership positions at award-winning studios and hoteliers, including Wilson Associates and Ian Schrager Hotels.
Larry holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning.
STACY SHOEMAKER RAUEN
Editor in ChiefHospitality Design Magazine
Stacy Shoemaker Rauen is the Senior Vice President of the Design Group at Emerald, a leading events and media company. At Emerald, she oversees the content for the hospitality portfolio, including Hospitality Design magazine and HD Expo + Conference, Boutique Design magazine and BDNY, as well as the brands’ regional networking events, forums and thinktanks, and awards programs. A well-respected and talented editor and writer, Shoemaker Rauen is also the editor in chief of Hospitality Design magazine, the leading publication for the industry, a position she has held since 2014.
Shoemaker Rauen—who has been with the company for 22 years—is a noted speaker at industry events, and an avid tracker of trends, places, projects, and people. She has been quoted in various respected media outlets including CNBC and the Washington Post. Rauen holds two degrees from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, including a master's in magazine journalism.
Daniel Dobin
ChairmanValley Forge Fabrics
Daniel Dobin is a Co-Founder and Chairman of Valley Forge Fabrics, the largest decorative fabric supplier to the Hospitality industry worldwide. Valley Forge was founded in 1977, is headquartered in South Florida and as an industry leader prides itself on its agility, speed and adaptability, as well as continually being on the forefront of technical innovation and sustainability for over forty years.
Dan has been an integral part of several influential industry innovations and most significantly, he has ensured that Valley Forge takes accountability from start to finish so they can continue to impact the happiness of travelers for many years to come.
Dan has mentored many people throughout his career and is respected as a fun, warm, and supportive leader who always makes time for the development of others. Dan is also an active philanthropist for local, national, and international charities.
isaac kubryk
CEOGlobal Allies
Isaac Kubryk has designed, engineered, and produced 491 different chairs (Task, Stacking, Dining, and Lounge), 822 different tables (made of Wood, Metal, Fiberglass, Stone, and more), 763 home accessories of all types, 17 Trash Cans, and 2 outdoor coolers. He has manufactured and sourced product from the United States, Mexico, China, The Philippines, Vietnam, and more. He holds nearly 100 design patents and has shipped over shipped over 4 million products to 48 countries. He remains convinced that a chair can always be more comfortable, a table can always be more durable, and that the hardest products to get right are the simplest designs.
JOSH OWEN
Vignelli Distinguished Professor and Director, Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RITPresident, Josh Owen LLC
Josh Owen is the Vignelli Distinguished Professor of Design and the Director of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RIT. Prior to his current role, Owen was Director of the Industrial Design Department in which he continues to teach his popular course known as the Metaproject. Owen is also the president of his eponymous design studio, Josh Owen LLC. His professional projects are produced by major manufacturers and have won many awards. Owen's work is included in the permanent design collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou (FR), the Chicago Athenaeum (USA), the Corning Museum of Glass (USA), the Denver Art Museum (USA), the Design Museum Brussels (BE), the Museum of American Jewish History (USA), the Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal (CA), the Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA) the Red Dot Design Museum (DE) and the Taiwan Design Museum (TP). His students' works have won awards, been exhibited and featured in international publications and critical venues and have been put into mass production prior to graduation. Owen's professional work has been featured in major exhibitions, numerous books on design and is regularly included in critical design discourse. He is the author of the book, Lenses for Design.