WAVE OF
THE FUTURE
For nearly two decades, Hospitality Design magazine has annually honored a handful of designers, architects, brand executives, and owners as our Wave of the Future—those who are young enough to be considered visionary, but tested enough to be accomplished. Here are the 2024 honorees.
Justin Colombik is the cofounder, partner, and design director at RoseBernard Studio, a luxury hospitality interior design firm with studios in San Francisco and Chicago. Under his leadership, RoseBernard Studio has become synonymous with pioneering design concepts and meticulous attention to detail. His portfolio, leading the interior design for sought-after restaurants and hotels across the globe, showcases a diverse range of projects, each reflecting a unique blend of creativity and practicality tailored to the specific needs of each client. His expertise in creating innovative yet functional environments draw on over 17 years of experience designing for celebrity chefs and luxury brand hotels internationally, including IHG (InterContinental and Kimpton), Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Kempinski, Four Seasons, and bespoke restaurant groups worldwide.
As a registered and licensed interior designer and LEED AP ID+C, Justin fosters strong client relationships and delivers elevated, carefully considered interiors through conceptual storytelling unique to each project. Managing stunning projects has honed his skills in balancing client priorities, producing innovative design aesthetics, and engaging in multi-level communication–making him a sought-after designer, thought leader, and industry influencer. His ability to seamlessly integrate sustainability with luxury and functionality has set a new standard in the industry. Justin’s approach goes beyond aesthetics; he strives to create environments that enhance the user experience and contribute to the well-being of occupants. His dedication to client satisfaction and his visionary design concepts have earned him a reputation for excellence and innovation, positioning him as a leader in the field of interior design.
Justin graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Architecture and received his master’s degree cum laude in Interior Design from the Harrington Institute. His academic achievements laid a solid foundation for his career, providing him with a deep understanding of both historical and contemporary design principles. This educational background, combined with his extensive practical experience, enables him to approach each project with a well-rounded perspective and a keen eye for detail. Justin’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development has been instrumental in his ability to stay at the forefront of the interior design industry.
Amber Eley, senior manager of design + procurement, joined Host Hotels & Resorts in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Philadelphia University.
With over 19 years of experience in architecture and design, Amber is responsible for the execution of projects, including design management and strategic sourcing of FF&E for the portfolio of Host Hotels & Resorts, an S&P 500 company, which is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. In this role, her primary focus includes specification management, strategic partnership, and design management for project coordination and success, executed in a Best in Class manner.
Prior to joining Host, she worked as a high-end residential architect in both Georgetown and Bethesda, which influenced her transition into the Hospitality industry with a focus on Interior Design. She has previously held Board positions within the DC Chapter of NEWH and is currently a member of Host Hotels & Resorts’ Corporate Responsibility Team, focusing on setting ESG, DEI, and sustainability goals for the company.
As design director of interiors for IHG’s in-house strategy group, Kristen shapes design and experience across a family of brands ranging from mid-scale to lifestyle. Her superpower is storytelling, and her love for hospitality is rooted in an early discovery of the power of travel. With the mission of bold design and holistic hospitality, she works with each brand to evolve and innovate across every aspect of the guest experience, pushing boundaries and balancing legacy with forward-thinking.
Kristen’s career began with Hilton Worldwide, where she managed new build, renovation, and conversion projects across the North American full-service portfolio. Her exposure and interest in brand building led her next to West Elm, where she joined the team responsible for the creation of West Elm Hotels, and the launch of the company’s B2B division. Stretched across branding, activation, interiors, and product development, she credits her Brooklyn stint with some of the best lessons of her career to date, and a deep appreciation for the many facets of storytelling.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design from the George Washington University. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, and two dogs—and is always on the hunt for her next travel adventure.
Tom Parker and Andy Goodwin founded the London- and Los Angeles-based Fettle in 2013 after a decade working with some of London’s most notable design firms including United Designers and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Launching their own firm was the natural next step for the friends-turned-business partners. “At the time, it was very exciting and it felt like we were on the precipice of something great,” says Parker.
Today, their portfolio includes the Hoxton, Portland in Oregon, the Draycott in LA, and the just-opened Georgian, their meticulous revitalization of a grande dame in Santa Monica, California.
A creative director at heart, Brittney Hepler’s background spans a growing range of disciplines, from environment and graphic design to UX, illustration, branding, and culinary direction. With this holistic, 360-degree mindset, she’s driven to shape guest experiences and craft strong brands that layer storytelling with human-centered design and business strategy.
As director of lifestyle design strategy for Marriott’s lifestyle brands, Brittney’s day-to-day involves deep-diving into what it means to feel a brand—defining, repositioning, or enhancing them through a creative lens. She has spearheaded some of Marriott’s most strategic design initiatives, including the new vision for Sheraton, the launch of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, and Moxy’s expansion into Africa and the Middle East. She is also cofounder and creative director of the recently launched Marriott’s Traveler’s Library, a growing B2B platform for creative collaboration, events, and thought leadership.
Prior to Marriott, Brittney was the first creative to join a team of chefs and operators as part of Hilton’s luxury F&B brand development group, where she focused on bespoke fine dining concepts and immersive resort experiences. She also spent time in the global design group, growing the design perspective for the Curio Collection and other premium brands.
Brittney began her career within Baskervill’s hospitality studio and holds a BFA from VCUarts in Richmond, Virginia, where she studied interior architecture, retail merchandising, and various fine art disciplines, including sculpture and painting. From what she calls a jungle gym of a career versus a ladder, Brittney has grown soft spots for Mexican fine dining, painting in hyperrealism, and teaching her toddler daughter to observe the little details that make experiences and memories sing.
Starting her career with Benjamin West in Colorado, Chelsea then moved to London to pioneer the BW office there, managing several projects for high-profile hotels and major brands throughout Europe. After eight years, she pivoted to work with Ace Hotel Group project managing developments through the design, construction, and pre-opening stages of Ace’s expanding portfolio as a chance to take on new challenges. After Ace, she moved to Hyatt to become the director of project services/studio lead for the Americas design team.
Now, at CoralTree, she applies her passion for being open, creative, and detail-oriented to a variety of projects as the vice president of design and development. Through it all, working together in creative collaboration is Chelsea’s favorite thing to do.
Christina Luk is a creative director and senior associate at Rockwell Group. Bringing 18 years of global experience to the firm, Christina’s current projects includes Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a reimagining of W Hollywood, Vidanta properties in Mexico, and a luxury resort in Greece.
Throughout her career, she has led design teams to create award-winning hospitality and high-end residential projects across North America, Asia, and Europe. Prior to joining Rockwell Group, Christina held roles at Yabu Pushelberg, tonychi studio, and Cheng Chung Design. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design.
Melinda leads the property development team for Nando’s North America and is responsible for building their growth strategy, site selection, design, construction, and facilities. Joining the company in 2015 as the design director, she has opened over 40 new locations and, under her current role, a handful of new markets for the South African based brand. Her passion is bringing people together and restaurant spaces to life—from getting to know new markets to curating the very best design teams. Her collaborative approach showcases the creativity of Southern African makers and artists in each uniquely designed location.
Prior to joining Nando’s, Melinda was director of design for a boutique hospitality-focused architecture and design studio, HapstakDemetriou based in Washington, DC. She has 20 years of design experience working with international hotel and restaurant brands, homeowners, and developers and loves the challenge of creative problem-solving.
As vice president of design, Diane Hang Nguyen brings her unique blended background in hotel and restaurant management, culinary arts, and interior design to LUCID. Over the course of her career, she has designed and managed luxury hospitality projects from concept through completion throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Before joining LUCID, Diane was a director at Rockwell Group, where she led the design team on Raffles Residences, EDITION, DineOUT NYC, and Highlands Detroit. Prior to the Rockwell Group, she was the senior interior designer & project manager at Tihany Design collaborating with notable chefs for restaurants at Mandarin Oriental, the Breakers Palm Beach, Four Seasons Hotels, and Seabourn.
Diane is the recipient of a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
As creative director at Goodrich, Rosie Rainbow guides the creative process and oversees the design of all projects in the studio. With her keen instinct for inspiration, fueled by her extensive travels and her deep curiosity, she develops unique narratives for each project. Hallmarks of her work include the sophisticated use of custom furniture and lighting, carefully developed artisan finishes, and site-specific artworks that express the narrative. Fearless in the face of a challenge, her consummate problem-solving skills—in the studio or on a job site—lead to beautifully finished spaces brimming with thoughtful details.
Rosie’s broad range of project experience includes hospitality, luxury retail, sports and live entertainment, multi-family, and high-end residential. She has worked with many of the finest restaurant groups in the industry, including Union Square Hospitality Group, Boka Restaurant Group, and Quality Branded. Close collaborations with chefs Missy Robbins, Hillary Sterling, and Jose Garces have led to highly innovative interiors.
Her hotel projects include the renovation of Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, several hotels for Kimpton, and brand development for brands as diverse as the Ritz-Carlton, Hoxton, and Moxy. Rosie’s adventurous spirit and grace under pressure have enabled the firm to continually push the boundaries of hospitality, expanding the practice into music venues for Live Nation, the large-scale UBS Arena at Belmont Park, retail design for many national brands, and workplace interiors for finance firms.
Prior to her role as creative director at Goodrich, Rosie was senior designer at AvroKO, where she led a team of hospitality designers in the creation of high-profile restaurants in Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. In London, Rosie designed luxury hotel, residential, and retail projects with Anouska Hempel Design.