Hospitality Design has announced the honorees for HD Expo + Conference’s third annual Women in Design Awards.
Presented during a breakfast session hosted in partnership with NEWH, the award celebrates six influential women who have helped shape the industry. The ticketed event will take place on Tuesday, May 6th at 8:30 a.m.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
Marisol Fisher
Vice President of Design Services, Latin America + the Caribbean, Hyatt
As vice president of design services for Latin America and the Caribbean at Hyatt, Fisher oversees new builds and renovations for the region’s full-service brands. Since joining Hyatt in 2006 as a design coordinator, she has advanced through multiple roles, gaining a global hospitality perspective. Previously, she worked at Aretè 3 Ltd., shaping diverse projects across architecture and design. She is a registered architect in Colombia and a graduate of Los Andes University.
Nicole Fournier
Vice President of Interior Design, MGM Resorts International
Since January 2022, when Fournier was promoted to vice president of interior design for MGM Resorts International, she has led design management for all capital projects across the company’s 18 U.S. properties. She spearheaded the design for MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield, shaping their casino, hotel, entertainment, retail, and dining spaces. She first joined MGM Resorts in 2006, where she has been key in championing immersive environments that blend entertainment, art, and cuisine into unforgettable experiences.
Masako Fukoka
Studio Director, CRÈME
Known for elegant, innovative designs, Fukuoka is a seasoned interior designer with 30 years of experience spanning hospitality, luxury multi-residential, and private estates. A Parsons graduate, she joined CRÈME in 2022, where she has worked on projects like the award-winning Kimpton Hotel Theta in New York. Fukoka, who was formerly principal and design director at Jeffrey Beers International for nearly 20 years, is currently developing a ground-up luxury residential estate, among other notable projects.
Nina Grondin
Managing Partner + Cofounder, Curioso
As managing partner and cofounder of Curioso, Grondin brings thoughtful leadership and strategic insight to the firm, guiding business operations, creative direction, and client partnerships. With a background in business, economics, and finance, and nearly two decades of experience in the industry, she marries analytical expertise with creative vision to deliver meaningful, human-centered design projects for brands such as IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton, as well as independent developers across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Helen Jorgensen
1st Vice President, Host Hotels & Resorts
Jorgensen thrives on seeing a completed hotel transformation come to life, embracing obstacles to create spaces that tell compelling stories. With more than 30 years in the industry, she held key roles at Disney and Marriott before joining Host Hotels & Resorts, where she oversees nearly 100 properties. Passionate about crafting unique lifestyle hotels, she has helped projects like the Axiom in San Francisco and the Phoenician in Scottsdale to fruition.
Chantell Walsh
Vice President, Design + Construction, Strategic Hotels & Resorts
With a background in architecture, Walsh excels in design management, repositioning assets to enhance value and guest experience. Since joining Strategic in 2015, she’s been integral to overseeing capital deployment, aligning projects with investment goals, while also leading design teams to ensure top-tier standards. Her expertise in balancing creativity and financial strategy drives the transformation of high-end properties, where she directs the creative vision and development for the company’s luxury portfolio.
