Growing up in a small town in central Minnesota, Chantell Walsh’s creativity took the form of graph paper floorplans and endless hours outdoors inventing adventures. A pivotal job shadow at local architecture firm KKE Architects during high school solidified her path.

After earning her degree in architecture, Walsh landed in Chicago, working under a mentor who taught her to embrace process over perfection. That ethos followed her to Strategic Hotels & Resorts, where she joined as a consultant in 2010.

Fifteen years later and now vice president of design and construction, Walsh leads design efforts across the company’s evolving portfolio, which includes Regent’s U.S. debut property in Santa Monica, California and the highly anticipated transformation of the Waldorf Astoria New York.

For Walsh, success lies in crafting spaces that evoke emotion and above all tell a story.

Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

For more than two decades, AvroKO has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a design firm. Founded by longtime friends Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O’Neal, and William Harris, the multidisciplinary studio has earned a reputation for its richly layered interiors, holistic approach, and narrative-driven process.

From launching self-propelled projects like Ghost Donkey and Host on Howard to building enduring relationships with clients like 1 Hotels, AvroKO has remained steadfast in its desire to create spaces with soul.

During a keynote conversation at HD Expo + Conference this May, they opened up about their origins as university friends, the power of collaboration, their “magic paper” annual summits, and the lessons learned over 25 years of running a design-driven, people-first business.

Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.

Raised in Sault Ste. Marie, a small industrial town in Northern Ontario, Craig Stanghetta grew up surrounded by hospitality—his family owned the city’s oldest hotel. Though initially drawn to theater, he worked as a professional actor until he found the same sense of connection in the world of design.

His first project, the Chinese brasserie Bao Bei in Vancouver’s Chinatown, solidified the career pivot. From that moment, his focus shifted. What began as a hands-on, instinctual approach—learning on the fly, designing furniture, pouring countertops, and collaborating with friends—evolved into Ste Marie, a multidisciplinary design studio known for its immersive storytelling and mood-driven environments.

Today, with a portfolio that spans restaurants, residences, and hotels, he continues to design with a sense of purpose and place, he remains committed to designing emotionally resonant spaces that take guests on a journey.

Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.