Icons & Avenues: The Luxury & Lifestyle Real Estate Summit

Michael Gatti

Principal

Gensler

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gatti-2683a417/

With more than 35 years of experience focused on retail, Michael approaches design holistically, considering the many different elements that define a strong user experience.

Michael pairs his understanding of the customer journey with an exploration of architecture, brand expression, and technology integration to create a cohesive experience. His simple and creative solutions for complex design problems has resulted in numerous award-winning projects leading him to as a trusted resource for many high-profile brands. He looks at each project through the client’s lens and has a remarkable ability to understand their unique objectives, goals, and vision. Over the course of his career, Michael has built a reputation for developing strong relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors, ensuring the level of close collaboration necessary for success. He takes a hands-on approach, overseeing design and delivery, ensuring that the appropriate resources are allocated to keep projects running efficiently.

Trevor Stahelski

Founder

Trevor Stahelski Projects

For over 20 years, Trevor Stahelski has developed and managed real estate projects within New York City for both US and international investors and clients. Bringing a full portfolio of expertise as a developer, owner’s representative, project manager, and construction manager. Trevor and his staff precisely execute the client's vision, with representation across all project areas. Deal sourcing, feasibility studies, lease negotiations, consultant selection and coordination, NYC permitting, design and construction, and oversight of property management for individual assets from acquisition through stabilization and disposition.

Ana Valencia

Senior Vice President, Project & Development Services, Retail Lead

JLL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-valencia-ra-leed-ap-2669188/

Ana is a Senior Vice President of Project and Development Services at JLL with over 24 years of retail architecture and project management experience. In her role, she provides strategic oversight to project teams by managing the complete lifecycle from planning through completion of retail stores, specializing in luxury brands. At JLL, Ana has completed major luxury retail flagship projects including Hermes of Paris on Madison Avenue, and she is currently working on Ferrari's Tailor-Made Flagship location on Park Avenue. Prior to JLL, Ana was the Director of International Architecture at Tapestry, overseeing the store design team and working on notable Coach flagship locations such as Hong Kong Canton Road, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and Taipei 101 in Taiwan. Ana is a New York Registered Architect, and earlier in her career, she worked at different architectural firms in NYC providing consulting services to luxury retail clients such as Tiffany & Co. and Gucci.

Alberto Pavanello

SVP | Global Retail Design & Development

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-pavanello-us/

Alberto Pavanello is a seasoned design executive with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, interior design, and retail environments. Based in New York City and originally from Italy,he blends European sensibility with global retail insight to craft meaningful consumer experiences.

As Senior Vice President of Global Retail Design & Development at The Estée Lauder Companies, Alberto leads the global Store Design and Visual Merchandising teams across multiple regions. His work focuses on translating brand vision into captivating, consumer-centric retail spaces that balance creativity, innovation, and operational excellence.

Throughout his career, Alberto has led design, visual merchandising, and construction teams delivering flagship and rollout projects for some of the world’s most prestigious beauty and luxury brands. His leadership emphasizes sustainable growth, standardization of best practices, and the seamless integration of design and business strategy.

A passionate advocate for talent development and inclusive leadership, Alberto champions creativity, collaboration, and personal growth within his teams. He also serves on the Board of Directors of PAVE Global, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of design leaders.

Before joining Estée Lauder in 2019, Alberto held leadership roles in design, construction management,and store development, including serving as Partner and VP of Store Development at EssilorLuxottica’s design and construction firm.

Stella Papadopoulos

Executive Director

Eight Inc.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellapapadopoulos/

Stella is the Executive Director of Environments at Eight Inc., where she draws upon her classical training as an architect and urban designer to craft meaningful, human-centered experiences. Guided by a deep historical perspective and a detailed sense of how environments fit into a wider connected ecosystem, she brings complex project visions to life. Her refined understanding of how space shapes experience—from movement and rhythm to proportion and beauty—is actualized in her work for global clients such as Apple, Suntory, Tiffany & Co, Nike, Louis Vuitton Americas, and Estée Lauder.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Yale, Stella began her career with the renowned architecture firms of classicist Demetri Porphyrios and modernist Peter Marino. This foundational experience in high-end residential, hospitality, and retail provides her with a wide range of design knowledge and background.

A passionate educator, Stella has also taught architecture at her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, and in Rome, sharing her insights on classical design and its contemporary application. She is a linguist, a lifelong learner, and actively practices and teaches watercolor painting, advocating for its role, as well as hand drawing, as a vital tool in the design process.

 

Eran Chen

Founder, Executive Director

ODA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eran-chen-465b446/

Eran Chen AIA, LEED®, is the founder and executive director of ODA. He is a registered architect both in the State of New York and Boston and a member of The American Institute of Architects. Chen founded ODA in 2007 after seven years as a principal at Perkins Eastman NYC.  He has garnered a reputation for designing buildings that are as programmatically and technically innovative as they are cost and resource conscious. He has developed groundbreaking residential projects in New York where his practice, ODA, is one of the most prolific and influential firms of its kind. His contributions to architecture have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).  His work has been featured in such publications as The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Spaces, Architectural Digest, Interior Design, and World Architecture News, among others. Eran received a B.Arch Diploma with Honors from the Bezalel School of Art and Design in Jerusalem, where he serves on the board and as guest lecturer. 

 

Barak Hirschowitz

President

International Luxury Hotel Association

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luxuryhospitality/

As President of the International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA), Barak Hirschowitz helms the world’s premier think-tanking shaping the future of luxury hospitality.  Barak has over 20 years experience in the luxury hospitality industry spanning three continents.  He started his career as a culinary graduate of Johnson and Wales University, later transitioning to hotel management in iconic hotels including Bushman’s Kloof (T&L #1 Hotel in the World) and The Bay Hotel in Cape Town.

A true industry connector, Barak co-founded the ILHA in 2006 which today runs LinkedIn’s largest hospitality group and its largest travel group with a combined audience of over 500,000 people in 70+ countries.

His expertise on innovation and market trends is sought after on the global stage, making him a regular speakinger at major conferences including ITB, INSPIRE and HITEC.

The International Luxury Hotel Association is the leading association for luxury hospitality and travel.  It brings together leaders from the most innovative hotels and travel organizations to share expertise and help drive the industry forward.  ILHA has the largest LinkedIn audience for both hospitality and travel which includes representatives from over 90% of the world’s travel and hospitality companies.

 

Zach Demuth

Eight Form

Head of Strategic Growth & Asset Management

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-demuth-7b7b3115/

Zach Demuth currently serves as the Head of Strategic Growth and Asset Management at Eight Form where he is responsible for optimizing the company’s owned assets and spearheading the growth of the group’s third-management platform. Prior to joining Eight Form, Mr. Demuth worked for JLL, where he served as Global Head of Hotels Research, advising many of the world’s largest hotel investors on strategic capital allocation. Before that, Mr. Demuth spent over a decade at Marriott International where he specialized in revenue management for their luxury portfolio (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION, and W Hotels). He is considered a thought-leader in the hospitality industry and is often quoted as a subject matter expert in industry publications and the broader media. Mr. Demuth holds a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Boston University. He is a member of the Cornell Hotel Society as well as a board member on the Real Estate Council at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration.

 

Danielle Larsen

Advisor to the President

Equinox

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesampiero/

Danielle leads real estate acquisitions and development for Equinox Group, advising the President and Executive Team on the brand’s expansion in select markets across the US and EMEA for the past 10+ years. Equinox, the authority in high-performance luxury living—with over 110 fitness clubs and the acclaimed Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards—is in high-growth mode, targeting 10 new locations per year.

Throughout Danielle’s 20+ year career in real estate, she has held roles spanning capital markets, acquisitions, asset management, leasing, development, and corporate strategy across retail, residential, and commercial sectors. Danielle has participated in more than $15 billion in transactions while working at top-tier firms including Knight Frank, Shorenstein Properties, Raymond James, BNP Paribas, and Farrell Companies. She has a deep appreciation for how the built environment can evoke emotion and inspiration—the ultimate luxury.

Danielle is a graduate of Florida State University and New York University’s Stern School of Business and serves on the Board of the Children’s Hearing Institute, a UNICEF-affiliated nonprofit. Recently relocated from New York to Dallas with her husband and two daughters, Danielle is happily exploring the food, fashion, and fitness scene across the Metroplex—and remains on an unending quest for a decent slice of pizza.

 

Jesse Wolff

Executive Vice President

JLL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-wolff-52185537/

Alison Graham

Managing Director

Barnes International - Luxury Real Estate

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-graham-nyc/

Ali Graham is a highly experienced real estate professional specializing in providing strategic advisory and investment analysis to a global network of clients, including family offices and institutional investors. Her approach to real estate is informed by two decades of rigorous international business experience and a proven track record as an active developer and investor.

For over a decade, Ali has been an engaged real estate investor and developer, focusing on complex multi-family development projects across diverse North American and international markets.

This background provides her with an exceptional understanding of investment valuation, risk assessment, and achieving measurable results for sophisticated clients.

She seamlessly integrates this institutional-grade analytical capability into every transaction, focusing on investment property acquisition, comprehensive real estate planning, and high-end new home sales.

Ali’s career foundation was built over 27 years in executive management and sales leadership in New York, where she held pivotal roles at major global technology companies, including IBM, Salesforce, and Amazon.

This extensive experience equipped her with unparalleled expertise in driving complex sales strategies, international business development, and managing large-scale global initiatives. Her ability to navigate high-stakes negotiations and foster productive relationships built her broad, highly influential global network, which now benefits her real estate clientele.

A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Ali actively shares her insights on achieving financial independence through real estate investing, frequently speaking to young women and professionals on topics such as first-time home buying. She also volunteers with local organizations, including Heart of the Hamptons. Ali resides in New York City and Sag Harbor with her husband and teenage son.

 

Jacob Dinetz

Director of Real Estate & New Business Development

Union Square Hospitality Group

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdinetz/

Jacob Dinetz is the Director of Real Estate & New Business Development at Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), where he leads the company’s growth strategy, site selection, and deal negotiations across all existing and emerging brands. In his role, Jacob oversees national expansion efforts and guides the development of new markets and concepts that reflect USHG’s commitment to expanding enlightened hospitality.

 

Previously, Jacob was an early hire at Blank Street Coffee, where he was part of the real estate team and led the development process that helped grow the company from 10 to over 75 locations across New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and London. He began his career at Cushman & Wakefield, working with a group focused on advising landlords and tenants nationwide on food, beverage, entertainment, and hospitality deals, after joining the firm through its highly competitive PREP Program.

 

Jacob earned a BBA from the Wisconsin School of Business, majoring in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, and was recognized on CommercialObserver’s “30 Under 30” list in 2022.

Shohei Shigematsu

Partner

OMA

Shohei Shigematsu is a partner at OMA and director of OMA New York, leading the firm’s diverse portfolio of global projects. Sho’s work in fashion spans typologies and scales. He led the design for Tiffany Landmark in New York and is currently overseeing the construction of Harajuku Quest, a new cultural and retail hub in Tokyo. Sho has worked with fashion brands and museums on major exhibitions—Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys in Osaka, Shanghai, and Bangkok; Dior retrospectives in Seoul, Tokyo, Dallas, and Denver; Prada “Waist Down” in Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and Los Angeles; and Manus x Machina at the Met Costume Institute. Sho’s works in the arts include the recently completed AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York, and a new building for the New Museum in New York City currently under construction. He has designed several cultural venues such as the recently completed Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles and Sotheby’s Headquarters in New York, and has also collaborated with various artists including Marina Abramovic, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Taryn Simon.

Thomai Serdari

Director, Luxury & Retail MBA

NYU

https://www.stern.nyu.edu/faculty/bio/Thomai%20Serdari

Thomai Serdari, Ph.D. is a strategist in luxury marketing and branding. She helps clients launch, grow, and successfully manage luxury brands. She is an expert on luxury and actively studies, values, and reports on companies or funds that operate and invest within the luxury goods market.

Prof. Serdari has been teaching at New York University since 2004 and at Stern since 2012. She developed the core courses for the Luxury Marketing specialization among others and became Academic Director of the Luxury & Retail MBA in 2019.

Emma Weinstein

Private Dining and Events Manager

La Tête d'Or by Daniel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-weinstein-91391745/

Emma Weinstein is a 2025 MBA graduate of NYU’s Stern School of Business, where she specialized in Management, Marketing, and Brand Management. She brings a unique perspective at the intersection of fine dining, luxury, and real estate — where architectural vision, interior design, and strategic location selection shape the guest experience.

Emma currently oversees logistics and operations for private events at La Tête d’Or, Daniel Boulud’s acclaimed new steakhouse in New York City. In this role, she manages events ranging from intimate dinners to full-scale restaurant buyouts for 300+ guests. Recent projects include collaborating with Food & Wine on the 2025 Best New Chef Awards and producing an exclusive dinner and reception for top NetJets clients. Prior to that, she served as Catering Sales Manager for Ark Restaurants Corporation, leading more than 165 high-profile events and driving multimillion-dollar revenue across multiple hospitality properties. Earlier in her career, Emma co-founded and operated Chuck & Blade, a 80 seat New American steakhouse and raw bar in Chelsea, where she played a hands-on role in concept and interior design development. 

Emma’s expertise lies in curating experiences that merge luxury design, brand storytelling, and operational excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Skidmore College and diplomas in Culinary Arts and Culinary Management from the Institute of Culinary Education. 

 

Stephanie Stein Werther

Head of Real Estate, North America

Eataly

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-werther/

Stephanie Stein Werther is Head of Real Estate for North America at Eataly, where she leads the company’s North American expansion strategy, including the development of a robust pipeline of flagship locations and a scalable caffé concept. She brings over 20 years of experience driving real estate growth and brand transformation across top consumer brands.

Previously, Stephanie was Chief Development Officer at Empire Portfolio Group, overseeing the expansion and portfolio of Orangetheory Fitness and Relive Health across 14 states. She also held senior roles at Taco Bell, where she led urban market strategy and concept development, and spent nearly a decade at Starbucks, including as Vice President of Store Development for the EMEA region and for Emerging Brands such as Teavana, Princi and La Boulange.

Known for her strategic vision and execution in complex retail environments, Stephanie has also held leadership roles at L’Occitane, French Connection, and Banana Republic. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Economics from Union College, and is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). 

Stephanie continues to shape the future of retail real estate, striking a unique balance of experience, creativity, and strategic insight.

Barak Hirschowitz

President

International Luxury Hotel Association

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luxuryhospitality/

Co-founder, Barak Hirschowitz has over 20 years experience in the hotel and restaurant industry. Barak is a former award winning chef and hotelier and is current President of the International Luxury Hotel Association which he co-founded. Barak has also run 5 world major marathons while juggling.

Rika Lisslö

Hospitality Strategy & Development - Americas

Hyatt

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rika-lissl%C3%B6-308313a/

Born in Sweden, Rika has forged a successful career in broad-based development and brand expansion with a proven track record in hospitality, food, and beverage, retail and mixed-use projects. Her current responsibilities encompass the growth and brand expansion of Hyatt’s full-service brand portfolio spanning the lifestyle, wellness & luxury segments throughout the Eastern United States. Rika is also a member of Hyatt’s Global Wellbeing council, Society of Fellows at the Culinary Institute of America, and founding board member of ILHA. Prior to joining Hyatt, she rose within the ranks of Two Roads Hospitality, and Dream Hotels. Rika got her real-estate finance and development start at Newmark and JF Capital Advisors.

Todd Poisson

Partner

BKSK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-poisson-33b96510/

For Todd Poisson, great design is beautiful, inventive, buildable, and responsible. Uniquely, Todd is both a big picture thinker and a stickler for details, with natural talent for building consensus. By collaborating closely with colleagues and clients, he consistently achieves multi-faceted success on his projects, for today’s beneficiaries and generations to come.

An exemplary leader of complex teams, Todd’s current work is mainly comprised of ground-up buildings in New York City. Particularly notable are The Jefferson and the Citizen Manhattan condominiums, as well as 529 Broadway, a six-story retail building in the Soho Cast Iron District, whose façade reflects its context with a gradient from the punched windows of one historic neighbor to the expansive glazing of the next. Todd’s interest in the tools of architectural practice, as well as his commitment to excellence in project delivery, result in his teams being at the forefront of today’s design research, technologies, and processes.

In addition to architecture, Todd has a contagious passion for sports. He is an active volunteer with the American Youth Soccer Organization and a former coach and referee of regional leagues. In addition, Todd is a lecturer and interviewer for Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, of which he is an alumnus.