Our Leadership
Ron Swidler
CEO
Ron Swidler
CEO
With a passion for pioneering innovative approaches to hospitality design, Ron identifies new strategic growth initiatives for The Gettys Group. A collaborative and an innovative thinker, Ron has shaped hundreds of hotels, resorts and brand initiatives over more than three decades with us.In 2003, Ron was key in establishing the Hotel of Tomorrow® Project, an industry-leading think tank that brought together more than 100 companies to envision the future of hospitality. He is currently leading a new phase of this project, aimed at addressing the new needs that have arisen for hospitality in 2020. His vision also led to the founding of our Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One) studio—our interior design group dedicated to branded hotels—and our Brand Experience studio—where he led brand creation and strategic thinking projects for boutique properties, large industry events and international brands.
He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been quoted in numerous publications for his hospitality, design and branding insights. Ron received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. He is affiliated with the Hospitality Advisory Council at DePaul University, School of Hospitality Leadership. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France; EM Lyon in Paris; Haaga Helia University in Helsinki, Finland; and Breda University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
Angelica Acebedo-Frint
Principal
Brand Experience & Marketing
Angelica Acebedo-Frint
Principal
Brand Experience & Marketing
A devout believer that good design combined with evocative brand storytelling has the power to inspire and compel, Angelica is the lead creative voice of The Gettys Group.In this role, Angelica is excited to collaborate with clients and teammates, leaning into the brand strategy that is the foundation of beautiful, purpose-driven brands.
A believer in the importance of building a culture of trust and empowerment, Angelica is known as a leader who welcomes different perspectives, encourages exploration, and believes good talent deserves the opportunity to be great. Warm and open, her leadership approach can be summarized simply: “Keep it real,” and “Never lose your sense of humor!”
In addition to serving as our Brand Experience Creative Director in the past, Angelica also served as Senior Manager of Global Creative Strategy at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, where she built and led the in-house creative team in their global brand refresh initiatives, launched the company’s new all-inclusive offering, and oversaw the global standards and visual guidelines for all of the company’s brands.
As Creative Director at Trunk Club, she led a team of 15 professionals, developing programs that achieved a remarkable 54% lift in brand awareness. At Nordstrom, she was responsible for the brand’s creative strategy and 360-degree digital marketing campaigns across multiple service lines.
As a member of The Gettys Group's executive committee, Angelica is empowered to not only significantly build our Brand Experience studio, but also support the firm overall as it moves into its next phase. Her entrepreneurialism, energy, and drive are sure to play a large part in achieving that goal.
Chris McDonough
Principal
Interiors: Bespoke
Chris McDonough
Principal
Interiors: Bespoke
With his long and diverse background in hospitality, food & beverage, retail, multifamily and custom residential spanning more than 25 years, Chris has always centered his design approach around true collaboration with all key stakeholders on his projects. His ability to see all aspects of the project process as both an accomplished interior designer as well as a licensed architect — from business development to establishing scope to setting expectations — allows Chris to gain consensus and guide his dynamic team in creating award-winning projects around the world that are beautiful, functional and fiscally successful. A natural teacher, he takes great satisfaction in seeing his team members learn and grow through his hands-on approach and mentorship. Chris leverages this experience and emphasis on partnership, hospitality and developing the story of spaces to lead our Interiors: Bespoke studio. His team-first leadership philosophy builds a culture of trust for his staff, clients and the end user — the guest.
McDonough has worked on such high-profile projects as the Tribune Tower Residences and the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, The Rand Tower Hotel in Minneapolis (a Marriott Tribute), the Hyatt Regency in Portland, the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood in Los Angeles, and the AGC Rotana & Rayhaan in Dubai, UAE.
Growing up and working in the Chicago area, Chris received both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA); Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Anne Hiter
Sr. Director
Procurement
Anne Hiter
Sr. Director
Procurement
As Sr. Director of our Procurement team, Anne is responsible for project management, nurturing client relationships and mentorship of the team.Anne earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from The University of Chicago. A seasoned hospitality veteran, Anne came to The Gettys Group from Hyatt Corporation over seven years ago. Her experience in that position in addition to her work as a Capital/Operational Purchasing Coordinator, have made her well-versed in collaborating with hotel management on pricing for capital and FF&E items, analyzing hotel spend against capital budgets and assisting with marketing, food and beverage and brand standards projects.
Ryan Schommer
Sr. Director
Interiors: Bespoke
Ryan Schommer
Sr. Director
Interiors: Bespoke
As a Sr. Director for our Interiors: Bespoke studio, Ryan’s responsibilities include leading other design team members though project design development and management, client presentations and correspondence, drawing documentation, coordination and quality control, FF&E specifications, and construction administration. From concept through completion, Ryan develops thoughtful concepts and unique solutions that create an elevated experience for guests and ensure the overall success of our client’s project vision.Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His extensive training and background allow him to skillfully develop concepts that carry through in design statements, details, and elevated incorporation of art that successfully reinforce storytelling through design. His dedication to efficient project management and creative problem solving is an invaluable asset to his team and to his client’s projects.
Kara Orth
Sr. Director
Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One)
Kara Orth
Sr. Director
Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One)
Kara Orth oversees the interior design direction for the fast-paced, brand-standard projects of our Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One) studio. She leverages her expertise in brands like Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott to creatively meet each property’s unique needs while satisfying brand requirements.Hailing from Park Ridge, Illinois, Kara holds a degree in interior and environmental design from the CIDA-accredited program at Illinois State University where she also minored in business administration.
Matt Swope
Director
Interiors: Bespoke
Matt Swope
Director
Interiors: Bespoke
As a Director for our Interiors: Bespoke studio, Matt delivers beautiful environments for our hospitality clients, managing the project process from concept to completion with attentive client service and commitment to great design. A skilled graphic artist, he delights in his ability to translate the conceptual to the tangible, allowing our clients to experience a space before it’s built through robust renderings and virtual and augmented reality tools.A design enthusiast from an early age and an avid traveler, he draws inspiration from his journeys around the globe, as well as the iconic design found throughout his current hometown of Chicago. This international influence can be found in his work on projects such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Farnam in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island.
Jessica Checkeroski
Creative Director
Brand Experience
Dave Li
Sr. Director
Manila Studio
Dave Li
Sr. Director
Manila Studio
Director Dave Li’s solution-driven attitude and his strong organizational skills make him a natural leader. He is committed to international best practices, guiding our Manila studio to provide exceptional design and technical support for our global interior design teams.Before returning to the Philippines and joining The Gettys Group, Dave previously resided in Singapore, where he contributed to international projects with DP Group Interiors and Hirsch Bedner Associates. His extensive project experience includes serviced residences and hotel developments for various international hotel brands in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dave holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in architecture from the University of Santo Tomas. He is a certified as a Licensed Architect in the Republic of the Philippines.
Jillian Kennedy
Manager
Human Resources
Mirko Schwanebeck
Sr. Controller
Finance & Accounting
Milica P. LePage
Director
Business Development
Jolene Braasch
Director
Mark Shugarman
Sr. Director
Information Technology
Mark Shugarman
Sr. Director
Information Technology
Mark is an established IT professional and now the Sr. Director of Technology & Operations at The Gettys Group. With a keen eye for integrating technological advancements with operations management, Mark directs the technological innovation and operational streamlining of the firm’s global operations.Drawing from his rich experience of over two decades in the IT industry and a previous stint with a general contractor, Mark brings a unique perspective to the operational execution and technological needs of designing and constructing commercial buildings.
Mark is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, VMware Certified Professional, and Cisco Certified Network Associate. His distinguished career at The Gettys Group includes pivotal contributions such as the implementation of the Citrix XenDesktop Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Office 365 migration, and a global file sharing system. This system has significantly improved collaboration across the firm’s multiple locations.
In his current role, Mark is leading the charge in the firm’s burgeoning Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality initiatives, a testament to his forward-thinking approach. He leverages his extensive technological knowledge and trainer experience to enhance operational efficiency across all levels of the organization. This has led to more streamlined processes, cost reductions, and improved productivity, proving instrumental in the firm’s growth.
Ron Swidler
CEO
With a passion for pioneering innovative approaches to hospitality design, Ron identifies new strategic growth initiatives for The Gettys Group. A collaborative and an innovative thinker, Ron has shaped hundreds of hotels, resorts and brand initiatives over more than three decades with us.In 2003, Ron was key in establishing the Hotel of Tomorrow® Project, an industry-leading think tank that brought together more than 100 companies to envision the future of hospitality. He is currently leading a new phase of this project, aimed at addressing the new needs that have arisen for hospitality in 2020. His vision also led to the founding of our Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One) studio—our interior design group dedicated to branded hotels—and our Brand Experience studio—where he led brand creation and strategic thinking projects for boutique properties, large industry events and international brands.
He is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been quoted in numerous publications for his hospitality, design and branding insights. Ron received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. He is affiliated with the Hospitality Advisory Council at DePaul University, School of Hospitality Leadership. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France; EM Lyon in Paris; Haaga Helia University in Helsinki, Finland; and Breda University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
Angelica Acebedo-Frint
Principal
Brand Experience & Marketing
A devout believer that good design combined with evocative brand storytelling has the power to inspire and compel, Angelica is the lead creative voice of The Gettys Group.In this role, Angelica is excited to collaborate with clients and teammates, leaning into the brand strategy that is the foundation of beautiful, purpose-driven brands.
A believer in the importance of building a culture of trust and empowerment, Angelica is known as a leader who welcomes different perspectives, encourages exploration, and believes good talent deserves the opportunity to be great. Warm and open, her leadership approach can be summarized simply: “Keep it real,” and “Never lose your sense of humor!”
In addition to serving as our Brand Experience Creative Director in the past, Angelica also served as Senior Manager of Global Creative Strategy at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, where she built and led the in-house creative team in their global brand refresh initiatives, launched the company’s new all-inclusive offering, and oversaw the global standards and visual guidelines for all of the company’s brands.
As Creative Director at Trunk Club, she led a team of 15 professionals, developing programs that achieved a remarkable 54% lift in brand awareness. At Nordstrom, she was responsible for the brand’s creative strategy and 360-degree digital marketing campaigns across multiple service lines.
As a member of The Gettys Group's executive committee, Angelica is empowered to not only significantly build our Brand Experience studio, but also support the firm overall as it moves into its next phase. Her entrepreneurialism, energy, and drive are sure to play a large part in achieving that goal.
Chris McDonough
Principal
Interiors: Bespoke
With his long and diverse background in hospitality, food & beverage, retail, multifamily and custom residential spanning more than 25 years, Chris has always centered his design approach around true collaboration with all key stakeholders on his projects. His ability to see all aspects of the project process as both an accomplished interior designer as well as a licensed architect — from business development to establishing scope to setting expectations — allows Chris to gain consensus and guide his dynamic team in creating award-winning projects around the world that are beautiful, functional and fiscally successful. A natural teacher, he takes great satisfaction in seeing his team members learn and grow through his hands-on approach and mentorship. Chris leverages this experience and emphasis on partnership, hospitality and developing the story of spaces to lead our Interiors: Bespoke studio. His team-first leadership philosophy builds a culture of trust for his staff, clients and the end user — the guest.
McDonough has worked on such high-profile projects as the Tribune Tower Residences and the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago, The Rand Tower Hotel in Minneapolis (a Marriott Tribute), the Hyatt Regency in Portland, the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood in Los Angeles, and the AGC Rotana & Rayhaan in Dubai, UAE.
Growing up and working in the Chicago area, Chris received both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA); Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Anne Hiter
Sr. Director
Procurement
As Sr. Director of our Procurement team, Anne is responsible for project management, nurturing client relationships and mentorship of the team.Anne earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from The University of Chicago. A seasoned hospitality veteran, Anne came to The Gettys Group from Hyatt Corporation over seven years ago. Her experience in that position in addition to her work as a Capital/Operational Purchasing Coordinator, have made her well-versed in collaborating with hotel management on pricing for capital and FF&E items, analyzing hotel spend against capital budgets and assisting with marketing, food and beverage and brand standards projects.
Ryan Schommer
Sr. Director
Interiors: Bespoke
As a Sr. Director for our Interiors: Bespoke studio, Ryan’s responsibilities include leading other design team members though project design development and management, client presentations and correspondence, drawing documentation, coordination and quality control, FF&E specifications, and construction administration. From concept through completion, Ryan develops thoughtful concepts and unique solutions that create an elevated experience for guests and ensure the overall success of our client’s project vision.Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His extensive training and background allow him to skillfully develop concepts that carry through in design statements, details, and elevated incorporation of art that successfully reinforce storytelling through design. His dedication to efficient project management and creative problem solving is an invaluable asset to his team and to his client’s projects.
Kara Orth
Sr. Director
Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One)
Kara Orth oversees the interior design direction for the fast-paced, brand-standard projects of our Interiors: Prototypical (Gettys One) studio. She leverages her expertise in brands like Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott to creatively meet each property’s unique needs while satisfying brand requirements.Hailing from Park Ridge, Illinois, Kara holds a degree in interior and environmental design from the CIDA-accredited program at Illinois State University where she also minored in business administration.
Matt Swope
Director
Interiors: Bespoke
As a Director for our Interiors: Bespoke studio, Matt delivers beautiful environments for our hospitality clients, managing the project process from concept to completion with attentive client service and commitment to great design. A skilled graphic artist, he delights in his ability to translate the conceptual to the tangible, allowing our clients to experience a space before it’s built through robust renderings and virtual and augmented reality tools.A design enthusiast from an early age and an avid traveler, he draws inspiration from his journeys around the globe, as well as the iconic design found throughout his current hometown of Chicago. This international influence can be found in his work on projects such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Farnam in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island.
Dave Li
Sr. Director
Manila Studio
Director Dave Li’s solution-driven attitude and his strong organizational skills make him a natural leader. He is committed to international best practices, guiding our Manila studio to provide exceptional design and technical support for our global interior design teams.Before returning to the Philippines and joining The Gettys Group, Dave previously resided in Singapore, where he contributed to international projects with DP Group Interiors and Hirsch Bedner Associates. His extensive project experience includes serviced residences and hotel developments for various international hotel brands in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dave holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in architecture from the University of Santo Tomas. He is a certified as a Licensed Architect in the Republic of the Philippines.
Mark Shugarman
Sr. Director
Information Technology
Mark is an established IT professional and now the Sr. Director of Technology & Operations at The Gettys Group. With a keen eye for integrating technological advancements with operations management, Mark directs the technological innovation and operational streamlining of the firm’s global operations.Drawing from his rich experience of over two decades in the IT industry and a previous stint with a general contractor, Mark brings a unique perspective to the operational execution and technological needs of designing and constructing commercial buildings.
Mark is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, VMware Certified Professional, and Cisco Certified Network Associate. His distinguished career at The Gettys Group includes pivotal contributions such as the implementation of the Citrix XenDesktop Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Office 365 migration, and a global file sharing system. This system has significantly improved collaboration across the firm’s multiple locations.
In his current role, Mark is leading the charge in the firm’s burgeoning Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality initiatives, a testament to his forward-thinking approach. He leverages his extensive technological knowledge and trainer experience to enhance operational efficiency across all levels of the organization. This has led to more streamlined processes, cost reductions, and improved productivity, proving instrumental in the firm’s growth.
Our Board
Roger G. Hill II
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
Roger G. Hill II
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
With the guiding mantra of “beautiful design is good business,” Roger co-founded The Gettys Group with Andrew Fay in 1988. He now leads the development strategy and analysis for this award-winning and influential global hospitality design, procurement, branding and consulting firm.A true hospitality visionary, Roger’s vision and forward-thinking approach has grown The Gettys Group into a global company with six offices in the U.S., Asia Pacific and the Middle East. He frequently shares his industry insights on the redevelopment, renovation and repositioning of hotels for various publications and organizations.
A graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Roger’s vast knowledge, combined with his civic work with such groups as the Urban Land Institute, the International Society for Hospitality Consultants and the White House Conference Delegate for Small Business, has earned him Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle Award, an honor widely recognized for praising exceptional achievement in the hospitality design industry.
Andrew J. Fay
Co-Founder & Board Member
Andrew J. Fay
Co-Founder & Board Member
An Australian native who now proudly calls Chicago home, Andrew is Co-Founder and a Board Member of The Gettys Group, where he has spearheaded nearly three decades of growth for this groundbreaking and award-winning global hospitality interior design, consulting, branding and procurement firm.By leveraging Andrew’s diverse background in design, hotel operations, real estate finance and branding, The Gettys Group has established a worldwide reputation for having an innovative and creative approach to the hotel design and development process. The firm has also earned rankings among the top global hospitality design and procurement firms while completing several hundred hospitality projects throughout the world.
An honors graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Andrew is a noted industry speaker who is frequently engaged to share his expertise and insight about the hospitality industry, business strategy and global trends. He is also active with a number of civic groups in his adopted hometown of Chicago.
Meriem Soliman
Board Member
Daniel Del Olmo
Board Member
Daniel Del Olmo
Board Member
Daniel del Olmo is President for Sage Hospitality Group - a purpose-led organization that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Daniel is responsible for leading a team of over six thousand associates across an award-winning portfolio of more than 110 lifestyle hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues across the nation. His focus is to deliver on Sage’s vision of becoming America’s favorite lifestyle hospitality company by enriching peoples’ lives, one experience at a time.Daniel is a passionate and servant hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience in growing hospitality brands and nurturing successful partnerships in more than 70 countries around the world. Daniel joined Sage from The Passionality Group, a company he co-founded that has a focus on growing emerging experiential lifestyle brands, such as Habitas and Rolling Stone.
Prior to the Passionality Group, Daniel was CEO of Disruptive Group, a subsidiary of lifestyle hospitality company sbe. His expansive career includes stints as President at Dine Brands Global and various executive roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Amadeus and Melia Hotels International.
In 2023, Daniel was named one of “the top 100 most influential people in USA hospitality and travel” by The International Hospitality Institute. He was also named to the list of most influential restaurant CEOs by Nation’s Restaurant News, was a recipient of Hotel News Now’ Hospitality Innovators’ Award and named “Rising Star” three years in a row by Travel Agent
magazine.
Daniel sits on the boards of Gettys Group, Marriott International’s owner advisory council (MINA), and Independent Lodging Congress. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
He is a Belgian native, speaks six languages, including Spanish, Dutch, French, Italian and Portuguese. He graduated from the University of Hasselt in 1996 with a degree in Applied Economic Sciences and in 1997 with a Master of Business Administration degree.
Kenneth Svendsen
Board Member
Kenneth Svendsen
Board Member
Kenneth Svendsen has been a senior global executive, executive board member, CEO, president, global head, and C-suite executive since 1997, with a mission, vision, value, and purpose-driven mindset to drive business transformation. He encompasses deep expertise in the global consumer-experience economy, from developing and setting strategy and vision with a relentless focus on execution. He drives scalable growth and expansion, domestically and internationally, through organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, business transformation, change management, and commercial and brand leadership while driving ESG and DEI enterprises. For Kenneth, value creation is a strategic process that involves developing human capital, building culture, and driving with purpose and alignment.Kenneth's diverse professional engagements reflect his commitment to making a meaningful impact and tackling the world's to-do list outlined by the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is involved in Board of Directors work at The Gettys Group, Star Harbor, Living Classrooms Foundation, and Sparo Gives. He also serves as an expert in residence at think tank Toeffler Associates and as an advisor to smaller social enterprise platforms Sudara and a start-up/accelerator company RevHubOC and RevFund.
Roger G. Hill II
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
With the guiding mantra of “beautiful design is good business,” Roger co-founded The Gettys Group with Andrew Fay in 1988. He now leads the development strategy and analysis for this award-winning and influential global hospitality design, procurement, branding and consulting firm.A true hospitality visionary, Roger’s vision and forward-thinking approach has grown The Gettys Group into a global company with six offices in the U.S., Asia Pacific and the Middle East. He frequently shares his industry insights on the redevelopment, renovation and repositioning of hotels for various publications and organizations.
A graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Roger’s vast knowledge, combined with his civic work with such groups as the Urban Land Institute, the International Society for Hospitality Consultants and the White House Conference Delegate for Small Business, has earned him Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle Award, an honor widely recognized for praising exceptional achievement in the hospitality design industry.
Andrew J. Fay
Co-Founder & Board Member
An Australian native who now proudly calls Chicago home, Andrew is Co-Founder and a Board Member of The Gettys Group, where he has spearheaded nearly three decades of growth for this groundbreaking and award-winning global hospitality interior design, consulting, branding and procurement firm.By leveraging Andrew’s diverse background in design, hotel operations, real estate finance and branding, The Gettys Group has established a worldwide reputation for having an innovative and creative approach to the hotel design and development process. The firm has also earned rankings among the top global hospitality design and procurement firms while completing several hundred hospitality projects throughout the world.
An honors graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Andrew is a noted industry speaker who is frequently engaged to share his expertise and insight about the hospitality industry, business strategy and global trends. He is also active with a number of civic groups in his adopted hometown of Chicago.
Daniel Del Olmo
Board Member
Daniel del Olmo is President for Sage Hospitality Group - a purpose-led organization that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Daniel is responsible for leading a team of over six thousand associates across an award-winning portfolio of more than 110 lifestyle hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues across the nation. His focus is to deliver on Sage’s vision of becoming America’s favorite lifestyle hospitality company by enriching peoples’ lives, one experience at a time.Daniel is a passionate and servant hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience in growing hospitality brands and nurturing successful partnerships in more than 70 countries around the world. Daniel joined Sage from The Passionality Group, a company he co-founded that has a focus on growing emerging experiential lifestyle brands, such as Habitas and Rolling Stone.
Prior to the Passionality Group, Daniel was CEO of Disruptive Group, a subsidiary of lifestyle hospitality company sbe. His expansive career includes stints as President at Dine Brands Global and various executive roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Amadeus and Melia Hotels International.
In 2023, Daniel was named one of “the top 100 most influential people in USA hospitality and travel” by The International Hospitality Institute. He was also named to the list of most influential restaurant CEOs by Nation’s Restaurant News, was a recipient of Hotel News Now’ Hospitality Innovators’ Award and named “Rising Star” three years in a row by Travel Agent
magazine.
Daniel sits on the boards of Gettys Group, Marriott International’s owner advisory council (MINA), and Independent Lodging Congress. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
He is a Belgian native, speaks six languages, including Spanish, Dutch, French, Italian and Portuguese. He graduated from the University of Hasselt in 1996 with a degree in Applied Economic Sciences and in 1997 with a Master of Business Administration degree.
Kenneth Svendsen
Board Member
Kenneth Svendsen has been a senior global executive, executive board member, CEO, president, global head, and C-suite executive since 1997, with a mission, vision, value, and purpose-driven mindset to drive business transformation. He encompasses deep expertise in the global consumer-experience economy, from developing and setting strategy and vision with a relentless focus on execution. He drives scalable growth and expansion, domestically and internationally, through organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, business transformation, change management, and commercial and brand leadership while driving ESG and DEI enterprises. For Kenneth, value creation is a strategic process that involves developing human capital, building culture, and driving with purpose and alignment.Kenneth's diverse professional engagements reflect his commitment to making a meaningful impact and tackling the world's to-do list outlined by the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is involved in Board of Directors work at The Gettys Group, Star Harbor, Living Classrooms Foundation, and Sparo Gives. He also serves as an expert in residence at think tank Toeffler Associates and as an advisor to smaller social enterprise platforms Sudara and a start-up/accelerator company RevHubOC and RevFund.
Our People
Brand Experience
Interiors: Bespoke
Interiors: Prototypical
(Gettys One)
Procurement
Business Development
Administrative
Allison Sanders
Ami Rupani
Anna Roenitz
Ashley Smietana
Bennett Baker
Bri Kluiter
Brian Cañezo
Claire Callis
Connor Hemmelgarn
Cristine De Felix
Emma Moller
Fiorella Bazan
Hadley Bushala
Hallie Zlotnick
Ivelle Marcelo
Jackie Groeschen
Jacqueline Milkovich
James Kokonas
Jay Samonte
Jeleanne Cribe
Jenna Hong
Jody Glacken
Jolene Braasch
Joshua Hollie
Julia Albanese
Juliana Lefler
Kaleigh Sanders
Karen Couch
Karen Cueto
Krista Greenwald
Krista Ryan
Kristine Inah Obillo
Lauren Imburgia
Lindsey Ballard
Luis Murillo
Maria Linda Carrera
Mark Faundo
Marriane Macabenta
Mary Barnett
Megan Toetz
Michela Whitsell
Minhyo Kang
Mitchelle Ann F. Dela Cruz
Nathan Solano
Nicole M. Murphy
Norien Grace Banate
Reese Walk
Renata Borro
Rooz Irani
Sarah Harvey
Shan Barrios
Sheila Luna
Sunjoo Cho
Tess Anthony
Tony Michna
Valerie A. Widmaier
Our Values
No Project Is Too Small
No Project Is Too Small
Big thinking can be applied to any project, no matter the size.
Consider The Invisible
Consider The Invisible
We consider the entire guest experience, from its dimensions to its soundtrack, in order to create stories worth exploring.
Generosity Is Circular
Generosity Is Circular
We always pay it forward, leveraging the power of our network to connect clients to the best people and solutions.
Go There, Together
Go There, Together
We push the boundaries of hospitality and create places for local communities and our teams to enjoy together.
As industry leaders, we explore the future in order to make more informed and inspired decisions, today.
Hotel of Tomorrow
An industry-leading global think tank comprised of hotel brands, owners, operator consultants, students and suppliers who are envisioning the future of the hospitality industry. Learn more
Ridgeline Development Partners
Our partner company has been a leader in hospitality development for 20 years. The team continually seeks out development projects that actualize unique properties and create value for our partners, brands and guests. Learn More
