Growing up as a self-proclaimed shy and anxious kid in Richmond, Virginia, Brittney Hepler found solace in art and music, which eventually led her to pursue a design degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts.
Starting her career at Baskervill, she made her mark by co-leading a new-build Hilton project. Hepler then transitioned to the brand side with Hilton before joining Marriott, where she helps oversee design strategy for 11 lifestyle brands, including Moxy, Autograph Collection, and Le Méridien.
What are your early design memories?
Brittney Hepler: My love for design stemmed from my obsession with abandoned buildings. At 8 years old, I was begging my mom to let me explore this one rundown factory we drove by every day. By high school, I would skip school to drive around and photodocument rundown places. To me, buildings have souls and stories. I found a love for spaces through their aftermath and what happens to manmade structures when everyone’s gone.
What was your first hospitality job?
BH: My first jobs were in F&B. I had so much anxiety before each shift because of how shy I was, but I’d talk myself into showing up each time because once there, I loved making people feel warm and welcome. It got me out of my shell to connect with people.
A conceptual rendering of a Moxy Hotels suite, part of the Marriott global design strategy for the Middle East and Africa
What led you to pursue design?
BH: I didn’t realize I wanted to be a designer until I was 22—I still hadn’t finished college and was struggling to not fail out. I couldn’t stomach graduating with a degree I didn’t love, and I changed my major a few times. It took a lot of soul-searching and one big panic attack over the risk I was taking.
It was late in the game, my family wasn’t supporting me, and once at art school, I had to go through a Bauhaus-style foundation for another year before I could apply to the design program. I’m glad I found the faith in myself to make the leap. It felt like my life clicked into place once I switched into art school, and it was straight As from then on.
What do you consider your big break?
BH: The Sheraton transformation [a multiyear project that launched in 2018] was my big break, as well as my greatest challenge and achievement, all wrapped in one. It was a major undertaking for Marriott. I was able to shape everything from developing the public space experience and writing the design foundation to designing the guestroom prototype, our Phoenix test lab, and more. I poured myself into that brand and found my confidence as a design leader through it. I’m proud of how far the brand has come, and still pinch myself when I see shots of transformed properties with the brand DNA carrying through.
The lobby at the Moxy Sydney Airport by Maed. Collective boasts colorful furniture
Most challenging part of the job?
BH: Carving out the time for deep creative thinking. As an internal agency, we have a lot of stakeholders both inside and outside of Marriott. It’s a lot of socializing ideas, storytelling, and collaboration, and I love all of it. But it can be a challenge to find the pockets needed to sit alone and marinate in your brain to devise a new creative strategy.
When do you feel the most inspired?
BH: When I’m around my team and we’re vibing off each other. I get so much energy from that.
Favorite place to travel?
BH: Mexico City. I can’t get enough of that place. The F&B scene is my favorite—every trip is mostly a restaurant or bar crawl.
One thing people don’t know about you?
BH: I’m neurodivergent and have struggled in the workplace and social situations. It’s the word du jour, but I’m thrilled about that and it’s important to start normalizing it. Recently, I’ve been workshopping with the Google Experience Institute and other creatives on how to create more equitable spaces and experiences.
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown lobby, redesigned by Looney & Associates, is awash in rich desert and earth tones
Do you collect anything?
BH: I collect old cameras and equipment. Photography taught me to look at the world around me differently and more creatively.
Space you love but didn’t design?
BH: Hotel Downtown in Mexico City is magic to me. I have a longstanding crush on Grupo Habita.
What is your dream project?
BH: I crave doing a hyper site-specific approach with an adaptive reuse or restoration where I can oversee the entire experience, down to the programming and food. I want to do B&Bs, Catskills camps, and other hideaways that are utterly of their place.
Your most treasured possession?
BH: Photos and trinkets that belonged to my paternal grandparents and their family. They all lived under one multigenerational roof with this immigrant Brooklyn toughness that I adored as a kid. They’re no longer around, but I feel them and keep them close to my heart always.
Crème blended Japanese and Western styles at the Sheraton Kagoshima in Japan
If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
BH: George Gershwin, specifically on a day that he’s going to play Rhapsody in Blue in full. I would give a lot to be able to play that one day.
What do you want it to say on your tombstone?
BH: Amor fati, which means ‘love of one’s fate.’ It’s about embracing and growing from each moment and what has, is, and will happen, even when it hurts. It’s hard to feel that way all the time, but I try.
