For two decades, Hospitality Design (HD) magazine has honored a handful of designers, architects, brand executives, and owners as our Wave of the Future—those who are young enough to be considered visionary, but tested enough to be accomplished.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s Wave of the Future recipients. Each year, we look for a group of individuals who push the industry forward with their innovative work, and this group is no different,” says Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Hospitality Design’s editor in chief and senior vice president of the design group at Emerald. “Through rethinking brands and redefining what luxury and lifestyle means, these 11 individuals represent what this award is all about. And they are just getting started.”
The ambitious thinkers who make up this year’s Wave of the Future class are challenging the status quo with their thought-provoking, meaningful, and boundary-defying work. They represent a new era of hospitality and are making their mark on the industry in profound and lasting ways.
The 2024 Wave of the Future honorees are:
- Justin Colombik, partner + design director, RoseBernard Studio
- Amber Eley, senior manager, design + procurement, Host Hotels & Resorts
- Kristen Freeland, creative director + brand strategist, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Andy Goodwin + Tom Parker, founders, Fettle
- Brittney Hepler, director of design strategy, lifestyle brands, Marriott International
- Chelsea Hershelman, vice president of design + development, CoralTree Hospitality
- Christina Luk, creative director, Rockwell Group
- Melinda Nettelbeck, chief development officer, Nando’s North America
- Diane Hang Nguyen, vice president of design, Highgate + LUCID
- Rosie Rainbow, creative director, Goodrich
Read more about the inspiring individuals who make up our latest Wave of the Future class.
Honorees will be featured in HD’s October issue and celebrated during the HD NextGen Forum, a two-day invitation-only event hosted at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, October 28–29th.
For more information about NextGen and to learn more about the honorees, visit hdnextgenforum.com.
