Hendra Ismail
The hospitality design industry is poised to recognize six leading women for their significant contributions and innovative approaches at the upcoming HD Expo in Las Vegas. The prestigious HD Women in Design Awards breakfast, a signature event presented in partnership with NEWH, will take place on Tuesday, May 5th, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. This annual celebration highlights influential figures who are shaping the future of hospitality spaces through their vision, leadership, and groundbreaking work.
The event, a cornerstone of the HD Expo agenda, serves as a vital platform for acknowledging the evolving landscape of design and the increasing prominence of women in leadership roles. With over two decades of history, HD Expo has become a critical nexus for industry professionals, fostering innovation, networking, and the exchange of ideas. The Women in Design Awards, in particular, underscore a commitment to diversity and inclusion, spotlighting individuals who not only excel in their craft but also inspire future generations.
This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of expertise and career trajectories, from architectural and engineering backgrounds to brand-focused interior design and development. Their collective work spans iconic luxury hotels, sustainable architectural marvels, and transformative adaptive reuse projects, demonstrating the breadth and depth of their impact on the global hospitality sector. The breakfast event offers attendees an exclusive opportunity to hear directly from these trailblazers as they share insights into their defining career moments, creative philosophies, and visions for the future of hospitality design.
Honorees Shaping the Future of Hospitality Design
Grace Escaño-Maniatis: Cultivating Talent and Strategic Design
Grace Escaño-Maniatis, Senior Director of Design at Auberge Collection, brings a rich background in architecture and interiors to her role. Her previous tenure as director of design at Meyer Davis saw her spearhead prominent projects such as the 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami and One Barangaroo in Sydney. Currently, at Auberge Collection, she has been instrumental in the design of notable properties including the Shore Club and Shell Bay in Miami, and The Birdsall in Houston.
Escaño-Maniatis reflects on her upbringing, where her parents’ passion for entertaining created a foundational understanding of hospitality. "My childhood was filled with magical memories of my parents entertaining. They loved to host," she shares. "Our dining room table was always overflowing with abundance, and any chance they had to gather their friends, they did. On weekends, there was a steady rhythm of conversation, laughter, and people moving through the house. Hospitality was ingrained in my life from a very early age."
Her perspective on leadership has evolved significantly. "I’m no longer solely focused on the design; I’m also focused on building the conditions for great design to exist and scale without losing integrity," Escaño-Maniatis explains. "It’s about cultivating talent, empowering teams, and creating a culture where strong ideas can emerge. Also, while my focus is creative direction, there is a strong emphasis toward integration with the business. Design decisions are tied closely to strategy, brand positioning, and long-term value creation. You’re constantly balancing creative ambition with financial discipline while always advocating for quality." This integrated approach, she notes, requires negotiation and strong relationships with owners.
The initial phase of any design project, with its "infinite possibilities," is her favorite part of the process. "Design and development sits at the intersection of creativity and making something tangible that can be experienced," she says. "So, when a kernel of an idea evolves into something compelling and significant, there is always incredible impact. Good design is more than something beautiful; it shapes how people feel, move, connect, and live within a space." Travel remains a primary source of inspiration, fueling her desire to learn about different cultures through their people, food, and artisan communities.
Heather Holdridge: Merging Engineering with Eco-Conscious Design
Heather Holdridge, Partner and Director of Design Performance at Lake Flato, uniquely combines a background in mechanical engineering with a passion for sustainable and forward-thinking design. She leads Lake Flato’s sustainability vision, guiding teams to achieve ambitious performance goals, including LEED, zero carbon, and AIA 2030 Commitment targets across all projects. Holdridge is also at the forefront of integrating passive design strategies and advancing energy modeling within the firm’s processes.
The realization that "invisible systems shape hospitality experiences" was a pivotal moment for Holdridge. "Comfort, air quality, acoustics, energy use—none of it should be noticeable, but all of it matters," she observes. "I was drawn to the challenge of making highly technical systems support spaces that feel effortless." The Hotel Magdalena in Austin, Texas, served as a prime example, where performance strategies and material choices, such as mass timber and passive cooling, directly influenced both the building’s metrics and the guest experience. "The connection between environmental response and comfort was immediate and tangible. It reinforced that hospitality design is not separate from performance. It depends on it."
Holdridge’s definition of leadership has shifted from being at the center of the work to "clearing the path so others can thrive." She notes significant progress in the industry’s support for women, with more women leading firms and complex projects. However, she also identifies areas for improvement. "We still have work to do in ensuring that equity extends beyond visibility. Compensation, advancement pathways, and recognition of technical expertise do not always align with contribution," Holdridge states. She is particularly motivated to elevate women in technical leadership roles, such as performance and engineering, recognizing their crucial impact on long-term outcomes.
A recent accomplishment she is proud of is the WELL Platinum Certification of Lake Flato’s San Antonio office, which allowed the firm to apply its performance principles to its own workspace. Her favorite part of the design process is the operational phase, where she can observe how buildings perform post-occupancy. "There is something incredibly satisfying about seeing a building operate as intended, meeting its energy, water, and comfort goals while supporting the people who use it every day. Performance is not theoretical. It is lived." Holdridge finds hope in the next generation’s deep commitment to climate action, equity, and accountability, viewing their integration of sustainability as a fundamental expectation.
Amy Jakubowski: Weaving Narratives Through Design
Amy Jakubowski, Hospitality Practice Area Leader at Gensler, has harbored a passion for design since her youth, beginning with interior design courses at FIT in New York at the age of 16. Her early career in fashion and retail environments provided invaluable lessons in brand expression and how spaces influence human movement. With senior roles at Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) and Wilson Associates, and projects like the Waldorf Astoria New York renovation and Corinthia Riyadh to her name, Jakubowski now leads Gensler’s hospitality practice.
The pivotal moment for Jakubowski occurred in 1997 when she joined BBGM, experiencing firsthand how design could unite culture, architecture, and human connection. A defining experience came in 2001 during the rebuilding of the Millennium Hilton in New York after 9/11. "It was a profound project, one that reminded me that hospitality spaces are more than places to stay; they are places where people gather, recover, and reconnect."
Jakubowski’s leadership philosophy has evolved from driving work to cultivating talent. "Earlier in my career, leadership often meant driving the work and proving what was possible through design. That perspective has shifted over time," she explains. "Today, leadership is less about being the person with the answers and more about cultivating talent, inspiring curiosity, and challenging teams to push beyond what they think is possible." She emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging designers in finding their voices by sharing experience and encouraging rigor.
While acknowledging the progress in women’s leadership within the industry, Jakubowski points out the ongoing need for equal opportunities in leading large-scale projects and executive positions. Her most valued accomplishment is fostering a culture where individuals feel inspired to excel. Her favorite aspect of the design process is the initial research and exploration, which she views as "narrative building"—uncovering the deeper story that will shape the design. Inspiration is found in continuous learning, exploring new places, and engaging with disciplines beyond interiors, as "the most interesting ideas often come from unexpected connections." Her advice to her younger self is to embrace opportunities by saying "yes," as growth rarely occurs in comfortable or predictable environments.
Kavitha Iyer: Balancing Brand Identity with Guest Experience
Kavitha Iyer, a Hospitality Design Leader with over two decades of experience, has made a significant impact on renowned brands like Holiday Inn, voco, InterContinental, Sheraton, and Westin through her roles at Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Choice Hotels International. Her design ethos centers on a harmonious balance between brand identity and the guest experience.
Iyer’s early travels with her parents exposed her to a global array of hotels and resorts, igniting a fascination with their energy, detail, and sensory richness. "Even more than that, I remember the feeling people created within them," she recalls. "The way a host could shape a moment into something meaningful is what stayed with me. It taught me that design and hospitality are not just about places, but also about how those places make people feel and what they carry with them afterward."
Her understanding of leadership has shifted from direction and decision-making to creating space for others. "Now, leadership means paying real attention. So much can be learned by listening closely to what people say, what they do, and what they bring forward from their own point of view," Iyer states. She highlights the progress in women supporting each other, moving beyond cheering from the sidelines to actively championing growth and opening doors. However, she stresses the continued need to cultivate environments where women trust their own strength and brilliance, even when systemic support is lacking.
Iyer’s favorite part of the process is when a challenge or unexpected turn leads to a better outcome, emphasizing that "truth and flexibility often lead to the best result." She draws inspiration from the natural world, appreciating its "layering, movement, imperfection, and balance." Her advice to her younger self is to "be herself without apology," to trust her voice sooner, and to approach the future with confidence and curiosity. Iyer is excited about the industry’s collective shift towards "less, but better"—less noise, less forced storytelling, and less technology as spectacle. She believes the future belongs to environments that prioritize emotional resonance and thoughtful care, where design, service, and humanity converge.
Kelly McFadden: Bridging Architecture and Real Estate Development
Kelly McFadden, Vice President of Development + Design at Left Lane, possesses over 12 years of experience in combining architectural training with real estate development. Her portfolio includes adaptive reuse projects, renovations, and ground-up developments. At Left Lane, she was instrumental in the award-winning Hotel Bardo Savannah in Georgia and is currently leading twin office-to-hotel conversions for Recess hotels in Savannah and Phoenix.
McFadden’s career pivot from construction administration to development was solidified during a project for a high-end private residence in a landmark New York City building. "Watching the architectural drawings come to life was thrilling, but what stayed with me were the moments when something didn’t work as drawn or we had to overcome site conditions," she explains. "I had to step into that client’s shoes and devise solutions that both worked with the architecture and were tailored to how they would live in the space. That practice has become an instinct in everything I do at a larger scale."
Her leadership philosophy centers on alignment and shared vision. "Leadership, to me, looks like alignment with the team doing the work so that they understand not only what we’re building, but also why we’re building it," McFadden states. She emphasizes that while pivots are inevitable in complex projects, bringing the team into the vision beforehand is crucial. While acknowledging progress in women’s visibility in design and brand strategy, McFadden identifies the capital and development side as an area where more work is needed. "Fundraising, deal-making, and ownership pipelines are still male-dominated." She advocates for the next generation of women by striving to make the path clearer.
A recent accomplishment she is proud of is the upcoming opening of their flagship Recess Hotel in Savannah, a conversion of a 1912 building back to its original use as a hotel. McFadden finds inspiration in New York City’s constant innovation in design and hospitality concepts. Her advice to her younger self is to commit to the best decision available and be willing to pivot, as development rarely offers a complete picture upfront. She is particularly excited about the growing trend of outdoor and nature-oriented hospitality, noting the strong momentum for properties near natural destinations that combine beautiful design with meaningful experiences.
Suchi Reddy: Integrating Neuroaesthetics and Human Connection
Suchi Reddy, Founding Principal of Reddymade, has led her New York-based firm for nearly 25 years. Raised in India, Reddy, an architect, interior designer, and artist, integrates the principles of neuroaesthetics into her work, focusing on how spaces shape emotional experiences. This philosophy is evident in projects like Google’s flagship New York City store and her interactive installation, "A Space for Being."
Reddy’s understanding of hospitality is rooted in her Indian heritage, particularly the Sanskrit saying, "Atithi devo bhava," meaning "The guest is god." "I grew up with that idea of care ingrained in me," she shares. "I was always aware of how space shaped the communities that formed within them—hospitality was about care and convening. That’s when it first clicked for me—that design could hold people, calm them, energize them, and connect them."
Her leadership approach has evolved from having all the answers to creating the conditions for ideas and people to thrive. "Leadership today feels less about authorship and more about collaboration—holding a vision while allowing it to evolve," Reddy explains. She advocates for systemic change to support women, citing her work with Humanscale to connect women-led architecture, contracting, and construction management teams globally.
Reddy is keen on uplifting younger practitioners who integrate climate awareness and cultural specificity into their work, mentioning Amara Nwuneli, a 17-year-old environmental advocate. A recent accomplishment she is proud of is collaborating on Ivy Ross’s home at Sea Ranch, an exploration of materiality, light, and emotional resonance. Inspiration is drawn from neuroaesthetics and research into how brains respond to design elements. Her advice to her younger self is to trust her instincts, not worry about fitting into existing frameworks, and to stay curious, generous, and protect her sense of wonder. Reddy is excited by interdisciplinary collaboration, fearless blending of science and storytelling, and a broader shift toward cultural and societal well-being, seeing a significant opportunity for hospitality and architecture to move beyond aesthetics toward deeper human impact.
The HD Women in Design Awards breakfast at HD Expo offers a crucial moment to celebrate these remarkable women and their contributions, underscoring the dynamism and evolving leadership within the hospitality design industry. The event on May 5th promises to be an inspiring gathering, highlighting achievements and fostering a vision for a more inclusive and innovative future.
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