Valentina Castellon is a visionary force in hospitality interiors—an intuitive conceptualist who designs with emotion, memory, and story at the core. Her work transcends aesthetics, crafting immersive environments that resonate deeply with guests and linger long after checkout. From luxury flags like Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt to bespoke boutique destinations, Valentina has shaped the interiors of award-winning properties that redefine what hospitality can feel like.

As a recognized thought leader, she’s a member of Boutique Design’s B18 and a frequent voice in Hospitality Design magazine, NEWH Magazine, and across industry panels, webinars, and podcasts. Her insights into emerging trends and cultural shifts make her a sought-after speaker and trusted design provocateur.

Valentina’s advocacy extends beyond interiors—her product design work has earned accolades from HD Expo and BDNY. She’s not just a designer; she’s a catalyst. Known for challenging norms and inspiring teams to think expansively, Valentina invites collaborators to imagine spaces that are not only beautiful, but unforgettable.

NIVEK REMAS is an award-winning interior design studio founded by Kevin Chan and Samer Shaath, whose shared vision is to push the boundaries of interior architecture. Based in Toronto, the studio is renowned for creating emotionally resonant and visually striking interiors across luxury hospitality, residential, and retail sectors worldwide. With a signature aesthetic defined by precision, speed, and bold originality, NIVEK REMAS has quickly gained global recognition for designing immersive, unforgettable spatial experiences.

Kevin Chan, cofounder and principal, brings a unique, macro approach shaped by his background in architecture, fine arts, and literature. His work fuses narrative depth with operational strategy, allowing each project to tell a compelling story while aligning seamlessly with business goals. Under Kevin’s creative leadership, the studio has received accolades from the AHEAD Awards, SBID International Design Awards, and World Interior News Awards. He continues to shape the future of modern luxury through conceptually powerful, industry-defining design.

Samer Shaath, cofounder and principal, is known for his methodical, detail-driven approach to interior architecture. With an instinctive command of three-dimensional design processes, Samer enables clients to fully visualize their spaces from concept through execution. His focus on efficiency, functionality, and livability results in environments that are both refined and enduring. Samer has led award-winning projects for global hotel brands, boutique residential developers, and elite private clients—cementing the studio’s reputation for turning complex ideas into cohesive, tactile realities.

Together, Kevin and Samer lead a multidisciplinary team united by curiosity, rigor, and a pursuit of excellence. Their collaborative ethos and complementary strengths have established NIVEK REMAS as one of the most exciting and transformative design studios on the international stage.

Dyonne Fashina is founder and principal designer at Denizens of Design, an interior design studio specializing in public and commercial spaces centered around building community. The aspect of community in her work begins with the design process itself. Her practice was built on the strength of collaboration and partnerships, working with independent practitioners, small and large firms on projects of all scales. Evolving to its present-day form as a small but reliable permanent team; bolstering the continued goal of strategic partnerships and community by design.

Her passion for design is rooted in her love for the arts, fashion, culture, and architecture. Formally trained in both fine arts and interior design, she has achieved international recognition through a diverse range of projects.

Notable work includes the design of adaptable gathering spaces within landmark cultural institutions such as the Gardiner Museum and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. The studio has also collaborated with hospitality brands including Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott, with projects inside Hotel X Toronto and Curio by Hilton – The Fives in Playa del Carmen.

The studio is currently leading the revitalization of hospitality spaces at Evergreen Brick Works and the Alton Mill Arts Centre—two culturally significant adaptive reuse sites in Ontario.

Dyonne’s starting point is always the identity and history of each space, foregrounding cultural sensitivity and partnering with local makers. Deep research and empathy in her design strategy bring quantifiable business value to every project. Dyonne thrives on finding meaningful connections to inspire everyone involved throughout the design process. She designs with compassion for the human experience, creating spaces that are not only thoughtful, but thought-provoking.

Phil Hospod is the founder and CEO of Dovetail + Co, an owner, developer, and operator of genuine and imaginative hotels. Phil is passionate about creating spaces with soul, celebrating local communities, and delivering for all stakeholders. A hotel junkie at heart, Phil is particularly interested in projects that challenge the imagination.

Dovetail’s critically acclaimed hotel projects include the Wayfinder hotels in California, Rhode Island and Hawaii, Urban Cowboy Lodge in New York’s Catskills region, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa in Bermuda, and a first of its kind sleeper cabin hotel called Now Now Noho in New York.

Originally from Montreal, Phil earned his HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University. When not traveling, Phil resides in New York City with his wife, daughter, and one-of-a-kind terrier mix.

Andrew Kline views the built environment as a catalyst for connection, capable of evoking emotions and meaningful human interaction. Early in his career, this perspective drew him to hospitality and retail design, and it has guided his later work on award-winning hotels and restaurants, luxury residences, multi-family developments, and products. He relishes the freedom to move fluidly between design verticals and project typologies, developing designs based on a unique set of conditions—as opposed to a singular, static firm aesthetic—and centering visitors’ and inhabitants’ experiences.

As a principal at Workshop/APD, he leads a multidisciplinary team of architects, interior designers, and product designers. In this leadership role, he is known for fostering seamless collaboration, drawing on each team member’s skills and experience, and pushing the boundaries of design to inspire the best outcome. He is passionate about breaking down the barriers to good design, pursuing projects that are immersive, approachable, and livable, with each essential element distilled down to the purest expression of their unique narrative. He champions a creative process guided by a fully realized conceptual narrative, a lens through which all design decisions are filtered, resulting in a unified creative direction from site, to structure, to space, furnishings, fittings, and even branding. This approach has shaped a range of celebrated projects including Michelin Key recipients 1 Hotel Nashville and Faraway Martha’s Vineyard, and the new Moxy Banff.

Inspired by his grandfather, an artist, Andrew began drawing lessons at a young age. A summer studying graphic design at Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles cemented his love of design, leading to a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Design from Columbus College of Art and Design, in Columbus, Ohio as well as a Master of Architecture from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. An internship at LBrands in Columbus led to a full-time role in the retail giant’s New York headquarters, designing stores for brands in the U.S. and abroad.

Prior to joining Workshop/APD in 2017, he worked at Yabu Pushelberg designing high-end multifamily projects and luxury hotels in the U.S., Middle East, and Asia.

Jacob Lenard is Aman’s Director of Design + Technical Services, leading architecture and design in the Americas and Caribbean. Lenard’s career has primarily been focused on large hospitality and residential, multi-use projects across North America, South America, and Asia.

Since joining Aman, he has been a pivotal member in opening Aman New York, developing residential design guidelines, managing expansions of existing properties, as well as overseeing the design of numerous upcoming developments, such as Aman Miami Beach, Aman Beverly Hills, and Janu Turks & Caicos. He is passionate about crafting each resort’s unique guest experiences through designed touchpoints and varying scales, from masterplan to materiality. Lenard is based in Miami and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Communication Design from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Design in Designed Objects from the Art Institute of Chicago.

Rebecca McBride was born and raised in Los Angeles, but her creative journey began on stage, where she trained in classical ballet with some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Her early career in professional ballet instilled in her a deep appreciation for movement, form, and storytelling—an artistic foundation that would later inspire her transition into the world of interior design.

Driven by a desire to create beauty in new forms, Rebecca pursued formal design training at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. While she completed her studies, Rebecca secured her first design job at the acclaimed hospitality design firm Jeffrey Beers International, where she worked on numerous hotel and restaurant projects. After several profoundly influential years in New York, Rebecca returned to LA in 2013 to join Studio Collective, where she led design on a number of standout projects including the Kimpton Goodland Hotel and the historic Hotel Figueroa in Downtown LA.

Rebecca continued to pursue her passion for design and creating exceptional hospitality environments as Design Director for Makar Properties , where she was instrumental in developing the petite resort brand, Auric Road. She played a pivotal role in several acclaimed projects including Hotel Joaquin and Lone Mountain Ranch. Beyond design, her role allowed her to explore the power of narrative in creating a meaningful and uniquely memorable guest journey.

In 2022, Rebecca joined IHG Hotels & Resorts as Design Director for their Luxury and Lifestyle division. In this role, she has brought her unique vision to a global portfolio, shaping guest experiences across marquee brands such as Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, and Vignette. Her work reflects a commitment to thoughtful storytelling and soulful design—principles rooted in her earliest artistic training and refined through years of award-winning design practice.

Stefan Merriweather serves as the head of creative for the LINE, The Ned (U.S.), and Saguaro Hotels, all integral parts of the Soho House & Co Inc. family. In this role, Stefan guides the creative vision and direction for these esteemed hotel brands, ensuring that each guest experience, whether physical or digital, reflects innovation, style, and authenticity.

Stefan’s journey to his current position has been marked by a steadfast dedication to brand enhancement and content strategy. During his time with the Sydell Group, spanning six years, Stefan played a key role in shaping the brand initiatives and content strategy for iconic destinations such as the NoMad, the LINE, Freehand, Saguaro, and Park MGM. His journey with Sydell Group began on the brand team for the LINE Hotel Los Angeles in 2015, where he showcased his talent in building brand presence and impact.

Before joining the Sydell Group, Stefan honed his creative skills as a freelance photographer and creative director, collaborating on projects across various industries, including fashion, hospitality, and entertainment.

Stefan’s creative journey traces back to his educational background at the University of Nevada’s Reynolds School of Journalism. With a commitment to innovation and a keen eye for detail, Merriweather continues to make his mark on the hospitality industry’s creative landscape.