Future Leaders

I’m Andrea Vizcaino, a Venezuelan born – Miami raised and based designer by trade – with a background in art, ceramics, architecture, a master’s degree in interior architecture, and a soon to be achieved master’s in business administration with a focus in marketing – I see myself as a storyteller through the creation of curated spaces. By combining creativity with strategic execution, I can visualize spaces and bring them to fruition alongside my mentors and colleagues. Throughout my career I have focused on the highlighting the guest experience – whether it may be through wellness spaces, retail environments, food and beverage experiences, and now all-encompassing in hotels through the Virgin Hotels Collection – I pride myself in being able to gather teams together and work towards a common goal while also managing various projects, concept developments, and special projects. 

From a young age, my passion for art, design, sustainability, and architecture has been a driving force in my life. I earned my Bachelor’s in Architecture from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic, and in 2013, I relocated to Miami to pursue a Master’s in Interior Architecture, complemented by a Certificate in Yacht and Cruise Ship Design from Florida International University (FIU). In 2015, I achieved the LEED Green Associate credential, reflecting my commitment to sustainable design practices.

With over 12 years of experience, I have had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed architectural and interior design firms on high-profile commercial, hospitality, and luxury residential projects. My portfolio includes work for renowned brands such as Hilton Hotels, IHG, Shell Oil HQ, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, TUI Cruises, and Baha Mar. My focus has always been on delivering goal-oriented design solutions that meet the unique needs of each project.

In 2017, I began to actively engage with the interior design community, joining the IIDA Miami Chapter and sharing my knowledge as an instructor at the Miami International School of Art and Design. This teaching experience has honed my mentorship and consultancy abilities. I earned my NCIDQ certification in 2018, becoming a Registered Interior Designer in Florida. My advocacy efforts were recognized in 2020 when I was honored with the IIDA Bragg Award for “Star of the Year.”

I have also contributed to the industry as an Influencer in the CSI Cruise Ship Interiors program and participated in the Future Leaders programs in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, I serve on the advisory boards for the SDS Sustainable Design Summit (2022-2023) and the FIU School of Architecture and Arts (2020-2024).

Design is my passion, and my goal is to craft unique spaces that elevate both functionality and beauty. There is no greater reward than witnessing a client’s vision come to life through my design expertise. It’s this transformative process that continually fuels my dedication to the field of design and architecture. I am excited to bring this passion and commitment to the Future Leaders Program, where I aim to inspire and empower the next generation of design professionals.

Anna Peretz, a Sr. Design Manager within Sonesta’s Architecture, Design and Construction department, joined Sonesta in 2023 and oversees design support for Sonesta’s franchise projects and brand design positioning of Sonesta Essential, MOD, Classico, Signature Inn, and James brands and collections. Anna works with franchise owners and key stakeholders in Sonesta’s Brand, Onboarding, Franchise Ops, and Development teams to provide design expertise in executing the required brand standards of all Sonesta brands through renovation and new construction. Anna draws from her industry experience and insight to guide the deployment of capital to the areas of highest impact.

Anna’s tenure in hospitality has included experience in Interior Design firms, luxury residential design firms, branding agencies, and working for the world’s largest hospitality brand. Anna enjoys traveling the world, exploring new restaurants, working out, and anything that connects her back to her passion – the hospitality world, business, and people. Anna holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and B.S. in Interior Design from Marymount University. She is also a LEED GA and a sustainability advocate. Anna was born in USSR, grew up in Israel, and moved to NYC when she was 20 years old, and is currently residing in Maryland. Above all, she cherishes time with her family and is always looking forward to the next adventure with her husband and their three kids.

Jahaira Hilton-Davis is a Future Leader for 2025, their full bio will be available shortly.

Jing Ye is an architectural designer specializing in hospitality and maritime projects, with extensive experience in programming, design, BIM implementation, construction documentation, and administration. She approaches design with a deep understanding of space and human experience, integrating both functional efficiency and aesthetic impact.

With a background in architectural phenomenology, Jing explored the relationship between space and human perception during her graduate studies. This research informs her hospitality design approach, creating immersive, culturally resonant spaces that enhance guest experiences. From 2017 to 2019, she independently designed two hotel interiors, delivering fast-track, locally inspired solutions that contributed to a 70% average booking rate post-opening.

A LEED AP BD+C and Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit, Jing has also instructed over 1,000 students in BIM technologies. Beyond her professional work, she enjoys community engagement, yoga, reading, and diving into the world of Proust. She holds a Master’s from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a Bachelor’s from Chang’an University.

Rolando Mendoza brings over 30 years of experience in the design and construction industry. He started his career as a young designer in Miami, working for Carlos Zapata’s design studio. There, he honed his skills on various projects, both residential, commercial, and institutional. During that time, a devastating hurricane rolled through South Florida, and there began his dialogue and passion for the role technology plays in design, after seeing building codes being revamped and archaic testing processes being implemented on his designs, he asked himself,” There must be a better way”.  This has been his mantra and guiding principle throughout his career. To better understand how technology can transform design, he pursued a master’s degree in architecture at MIT, earning a dual degree in architecture and design computation. Upon graduation, he ventured off to Los Angeles, CA, and worked as a designer 4 Morphosis Architects, leading design efforts on the San Francisco federal building, as well as a federal courthouse in Eugene, OR. After completing these projects, he went to work at Frank Garry’s office. Along with Jim Glymph and two other colleagues, they established Gary Technologies, A specialized studio focusing on advanced digital technologies to execute and build highly complex projects, such as the Disney Concert Hall, and the Louis Vuitton museum in Paris, France. The group grew to 150 designers, technologists, and software engineers, and became the prototype for what we know today as design technology groups in architectural firms. After a decade of working as the managing director of Gary technologies, he took his skills and talents to Walt Disney Imagineering, where he led and established a creative delivery group, the integrated design, ideation, and project execution. His group led efforts in integrating and delivering the Shanghai Disney resort avatar in Orlando and the Star Wars and Marvel initiatives at Walt Disney Imagineering. After his tenure at Walt Disney Imagineering, he joined Mortenson Construction as their director of virtual design and construction, leading a group of VDC experts, implementing large-scale construction innovations, such as the Las Vegas Raiders stadium, the Golden State Warriors Chase Arena. His inclination to return to his design roots led him to take on a regional design technology leadership role at Gensler. Today his career has come full circle. He is now director of design and principal at Bermello Ajamil and Partners, leading all design and creative efforts, specializing in Maritime, themed entertainment, and architecture. 

Russchelle Fox is a Registered Interior Designer / Technical Project Manager who brings 19 years experience in a broad spectrum of project typologies focusing on elevating the interior environment with a dedication to optimizing the guest experience within hospitality design.