I am most comfortable outside my comfort zone. With an eye for design, I seek to always challenge perceptions, creating environments that are not only beautiful and polished but also rich sensory experiences. It all culminates into a sense of discovery for the details and stories that connect us to our surroundings, which is the basis of my design approach. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Retail Merchandising and a special focus on Textiles & Apparel. While working in store design at Neiman Marcus, I realized my passion for design. Soon after, I moved to New York City and completed a degree in Interior Design at The Fashion Institute of Technology. From then on, I embarked on a career in luxury hospitality design in New York City and London. Working at firms, including tonychi and associates, Meyer Davis, and Tara Bernerd & Partners, I designed projects around the world, including the Rosewood London hotel, Wolfgang Puck’s CUT and Spago restaurants, the Belmond Hotel in Maroma, Mexico, and had the opportunity to collaborate closely with local artists and craftspeople in Guadalajara. My eye for composition also led me to take the lead as the photography stylist for Rosewood Hotel properties in Bermuda, Mayakoba, and The Bahamas. These experiences and partnerships with diverse artisans and cultures deepened my appreciation for design, culture, and travel. Hungry to see more of the world and international design, I took a pause in hospitality design to travel around the world in 2019 for 6 months. My travels to Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan opened my eyes to the craft and design of the world's artisans, and I desired to tap into these resources I'd collected. Today, as the visionary entrepreneur and President of Elysian Collective, I aim to highlight artisan traditions by collaborating with talented makers and bringing new narrative focus to their creations. I hope to provide a platform that supports their work and livelihood. Elysian Collective was born out of a desire to build connections with people, community, and artist partners. Design is far more than our physical surroundings; it is the thread that connects us to people, communities, nature, and the world at large.