Stepping outside traditional bounds to build an interior design firm that would prioritize the creative process and inspire collaboration with clients, Lisa Simeone founded Simeone Deary Design Group with Gina Deary in 2002. In 2021, with a collective vision to create a fully integrated architecture, branding, interiors and planning practice, Simeone Deary joined forces with KTGY Architecture + Planning. Today, KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group delivers unique experiential spaces to hospitality, retail and entertainment clients as well as residential and mixed-use developers, owners and operators.

With an expertise in positioning lifestyle and hospitality brands in the global marketplace, Lisa is renowned worldwide for delivering high-end luxury and forward-thinking authenticity through experiential design. As an industry leader, Lisa is sought out to direct the design trajectory of highly visible and well-known brands and has led the conceptualization and design direction of luxury hotels, landmark and adaptive reuse projects, as well as new builds. Her expansive portfolio includes not only brands, but boutique and celebrity projects in North America, Europe and Asia. Central to this success is Lisa’s commitment to a collaborative company culture and a passion for developing the unique talents of each designer.

To create an interior design firm that would prioritize artistry and the development of industry talent, Gina Deary established Simeone Deary Design Group with Lisa Simeone in 2002. In 2021, with a collective vision to create a fully integrated architecture, branding, interiors, and planning practice, Simeone Deary joined forces with KTGY. Today, KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group delivers unique experiential spaces to hospitality, retail and entertainment clients as well as residential and mixed-use developers, owners and operators.

Gina has developed an international reputation for curating culturally tuned designs that deliver forward-thinking, prismatic drama. Clients commission her to attract desired users to their developments as she leads with foundational knowledge of the local business environment and deep respect for each project city’s history and architecture. Art programs and installations that celebrate regional industry and landscape are a hallmark of Gina’s work and she has led the design of significant and award-winning adaptive reuse projects such as the Detroit Foundation Hotel and Hotel Kansas City. Gina views the firm’s greatest asset to be its visionary design talent and feels passionate about the importance of creating a safe, inspired place for career development.

Adam Lara sees the sum of the parts as a whole and is motivated by how the parts and pieces come together. Organized, strategic, detail-oriented and extremely hands on, Adam truly immerses himself into the entire design process, understanding and adapting to the needs of every project. Through cultural and environmental research, he continuously finds new ways to merge craft with technology.

A licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional, Adam provides high-level guidance on projects and relationships with a positive attitude and a personable approach. An invaluable resource and liaison, Adam maintains day-to-day operations, bridges the gap between designers and clients, and expertly leads the allocation of people and resources.

Open to all influences of inspiration, Timothy Schwarz’s designs are a reflection of his observation of the role that structure and innovation play in today’s society. Timothy believes that by recreating the original ideas that work while transforming them to a higher level, he is able to maintain a cohesive experience for guests and owners alike.

A licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional, Timothy is a member of the United States Green Building Council as well as the American Institute of Architects. Recognizing the importance of sustainable design, he seamlessly blends everyday objects with new technology and lifestyle trends to create spaces that offer measurable returns that will last for generations to come.

Guided by a passion for the perspectives and objectives of others, Sara Talleux harvests details of the past and guides hospitality brands and properties into the future. For Sara, design is a visual and tactile conversation, one that creates a sense of place that subtly engages people. She extracts elements from her surroundings, with the intent of giving people choices in their lifestyle.

Sara provides leadership across all departments, from the development of concepts and project work, to the management of client relationships. Sara’s professional and personal touch fosters positive rapport in the ongoing pursuit of meaning and precision in lifestyle design.

Looking beyond the obvious, Carrie Tolman integrates the history and culture of each environment with elements of nature, fashion, pop culture and other inspirational genres. Her designs evolve organically, incorporate each client’s vision and ultimately emerge with great authenticity. Carrie truly takes pride in her relationships with clients and feels strongly that the key to creating a successful design lies in maintaining continuous dialogue and communication throughout the process.

Carrie is energized and motivated by the great responsibility and privilege of executing a concept and making it a reality. With years of design experience, Carrie has established a solid reputation in the industry as loyal, dedicated and hardworking; qualities sure to contribute to the firm's continued success.

Rebecca Daly is a financial executive with over 20 years of experience in finance and operations management. Motivated and resourceful, she serves as a trusted asset to the firm’s owners as she helps them set growth goals necessary to achieve financial success and provides counsel on operational performance.

A Certified Public Accountant with a keen ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment, Rebecca manages the firm’s accounting and reporting functions and also assists in staff resource management and recruiting efforts.

Stefanie Hajer directs KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group’s global and domestic branding discipline, curating rich environments and experiences that stimulate customer journeys, stir emotions and beckon for engagement. An experiential graphic and interior design leader with 25 years of experience, Stefanie’s refined, multidisciplinary approach delivers precise and impactful solutions that enhance company culture and exceed expectations.

Distinguished by intuition, industry insights and daring narrative imagery, Stefanie creates soulful brand stories that challenge the status quo and initiate a chain reaction of excitement. Her dynamic and strategy-driven approach starts conversations and inspires guest loyalty. With expertise in customer journey analysis, branded environments and retail strategy, she structures creative collaborations characterized by inspiration, trust and success. Her diverse and interdisciplinary storytelling teams work with passion and dedication, carrying the electricity of the conceptual phase through project creation.

Amelia Medina is a regional development director at KTGY’s Chicago interior design studio. Ms. Medina is a big-picture thinker who delights in the small, crucial details that keep hotels running. A strong operational background makes her invaluable to clients and employers alike. 17 years of experience, including management and back-of-house roles, gives her unique insight into the needs of hospitality clients. Ms. Medina specializes in go-to-market strategies that increase market presence, generating new business both locally and globally. At KTGY, she is working to earn new clients, find new talent, and strengthen the brand at KTGY’s interior design studio.

Making connections between people is what attracted Ms. Medina to hospitality, and she aims to inspire connection with her work. After college, she earned a place in Hyatt’s competitive management trainee program. Managing hotels exposed her to the ways people forge connections in the hospitality space; good service allows one to relax at the end of the day, an inviting environment can turn strangers into friends. As her passion for hospitality grew, she moved into marketing and development. In each new role, she augmented her skills, steadily climbing to the global responsibility she manages today.

Brian Bellie leads technology support and planning for KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group. A leader with more than 30 years of experience in IT, architecture, engineering and interior design, Brian draws upon vast professional knowledge when guiding colleagues through technical challenges. In addition to day-to-day training and support, Brian also develops and automates high-tech systems and long-range plans that equip the firm to realize its artistic and operational goals.

Brian’s technological mastery, design fluency and project expertise enable him to employ a shared vocabulary and understanding when guiding staff to desired solutions. Inspired by science and smart solutions, Brian integrates cutting-edge technologies that allow KTGY Simeone Deary to deliver projects with efficiency and excellence. Such innovations include the latest software and hardware advancements, as well as new visual communication strategies, such as VR and 3D rendering. Brian’s committed behind-the-scenes efforts result in clear articulations of project vision and a professional, expedient client experience.

Christy Hubbard collaborates with clients and local teams to deliver authentic, high-quality hospitality design. From broad art programs to distinct details, Christy finely tunes moments to create spaces that positively impact the user experience. Her expert selections convey artistry and consistency, resulting in spaces that champion and elevate hotel properties and brands.

A gifted communicator and negotiator, Christy builds consensus through trusting relationships with design teams and stakeholders. As an associate at Simeone Deary, Christy guides design development, documentation and leads construction administration on a wide spectrum of projects, ensuring quality and precision, from schematic and FF&E packages to construction coordination and oversight.