Allison Cooke, IIDA

Partner

Allison leads CORE’s diverse interior design practice in hospitality, retail, office, and multifamily spaces of all shapes and sizes. She has collaborated with restaurant groups, Michelin-star chefs, hoteliers, retailers, developers, and more. Allison works closely with clients to translate their vision into reality, integrating both brand identity and operations. She influences CORE’s building architecture projects as well, understanding that experience-based design occurs “from the inside out” to create a holistic building design that functions from top to bottom and expands into the ground plane and surrounding neighborhood. She also serves on the Georgetown Main Street Board and engages in public speaking on hospitality design nationwide. Allison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Miami University of Ohio.

David Cheney, AIA

Partner

With a strong background in institutional and building architecture projects coupled with the expertise to deliver complex design solutions that marry the interior and streetscape, David possesses the knowledge, skills, and management ability required to create successful projects. With 35 years of experience, his design skills and technical knowledge of innovative construction materials, value engineering, construction methods and architectural standards, bring a high level of competency and expertise to CORE. David works to meet the overall project goals with careful management of the project team and schedules. He has a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, from Norwich University. He is licensed in fifteen states and is NCARB certified.

Ann Marie Avellino

Director of Finance

Ann Marie is a seasoned financial expert with over 30 years professional experience in managing overall corporate finances, in Fortune 500 as well as small to mid-size companies. At CORE, she establishes working relationships based upon respect, encouragement, and trust. She is responsible for all corporate finances, human resources, and facility management.

Christina Schlecht

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Christina has 20 years of experience in leadership and management positions in the professional services, publishing, education, and entertainment industries. At CORE, Christina leads the development of marketing and communications plans and orchestrates a strategic approach to business development, generating company growth. She guides the production of effective lead generation and retention programs and oversees the activation of multi-channel campaigns and interactive digital platforms, improving conversion and client acquisition rates. Christina earned her MBA from Columbia Business School, New York and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. She spent one semester as a Visiting Scholar at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Christopher Peli

Principal

Christopher is involved in many diverse project types from hospitality to urban design, renovation and new construction. He is a conscientious, creative team leader and mentor, who pursues a pragmatic approach to design that unites all team members, including client, contractor, owner, and landlord. Christopher has extensive construction administration experience on complex building renovation and restaurant projects. He pushes the envelope of the hospitality design industry by looking at obstacles of budget, tight timeframes, and site conditions as tools for decision-making rather than restrictions.

Dean Hutchison, AIA

Principal

Dean works on a wide range of project types at CORE, from base building office to multifamily residential and institutional buildings as well as retail tenant fit-outs. He excels in all phases of projects, from design to construction administration and goes out of his way to establish strong relationships with those involved. Dean has a Master of Architecture from Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Marie Vogt

Principal

Marie is a senior project manager at CORE. She is highly valued for her leadership success in directing complex projects with a high level of design innovation and technical experience in both base building and interior architecture. As a team manager and project architect, she has been responsible for structuring project teams and fees, project schedules, consultant coordination, and project design and delivery. She is a highly effective communicator with clients, consultants and contractors and is quickly adaptive to changing project priorities. Her wide range of experience in work place interiors, multi-family residential, large scale government projects and design build projects has given her keen insight and a holistic approach to project process and delivery.

Ayelet Masica

Ayelet has a passion for designing spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Having worked in hospitality design for the past ten years, she has developed a skillset for creating inviting spaces that work. Over the course of her career, Ayelet has had the opportunity to work on fine dining restaurants, fast-casual concepts, food halls, and prototype designs. She excels in converting her clients’ vision about their concepts and goals into spaces that excite and exceed expectations. Ayelet graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies from Goucher College.

Carolena Beatley

Carolena joined CORE after graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Her studies focused on the design of transformable architecture where spaces could adapt depending on their use. She also has an interest in photography and holds a commercial photography license. Carolena is excited to begin her career at CORE and is currently pursuing her architectural license.

Daniel Farji

Daniel has worked on various project types, ranging from transportation and historical preservation to high-end residential developments. He joined CORE after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture and a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. He also received a Master of Architecture with a concentration in Sustainability from the University of Florida. His graduate thesis focused on an urban multimodal transit hub which reflects his passion for transportation and public infrastructure. Daniel is well-traveled and enjoys photography. He is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Daniel Kalinowski, AIA

Daniel’s expertise includes commercial and multifamily residential developments, corporate interiors and renovations, and restaurant design. He specializes in designing and executing custom millwork and lighting solutions and his attention to detail helps bring a level of excellence to the finished products. Daniel’s thoughtful approach enables him to deliver creative spaces that offer an immersive experience and cater to the client’s and user’s needs. He excels at designing both artful and structured spaces that are as beautiful as they are functional. Daniel has established a strong background in innovative design environments that enhance both team collaboration and individual productivity and satisfaction.

Daniel Mayo, RA

Daniel demonstrates a diverse background in architecture with a wide portfolio that includes commercial buildings, corporate interiors, multifamily residential and restaurant design projects. He has a broad skillset bringing alternative perspectives and a focus to detail. He has an interest in industrial design and in international architecture, studying extensively in Italy and Finland. Daniel has participated in global competitions, exercising his passion for design. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and a Master of Architecture with a concentration in Sacred Space and Cultural Studies from the Catholic University of America. Daniel is a licensed architect in Washington DC and is NCARB certified.

Deandra Smith

Deandra joined CORE after graduating from Rice University with a Master of Architecture. She obtained a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, and a minor in video game animation, from the University of Florida, where she served as a Teaching Assistant. She educated students about architectural precedents and helped them analyze the influence of historical and cultural practices on design decision-making. Deandra is passionate about photography, traveling, sustainability, and learning about the built environment. She is excited about beginning her career at CORE and intends to pursue architectural licensure.

Gavin Walsh

At CORE, Gavin has primarily worked on commercial and mixed-use design projects. He also has prior experience working in residential architecture. Gavin received a Master of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Landscape Architecture from the Ohio State University. He is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Jaida Tavares

Having spent her childhood overseas, Jaida grew up experiencing diverse cultures and landscapes, with each location offering a unique style of architecture and art. This provided her with a vast knowledge base and a great appreciation for design and form. Since then, Jaida knew that architecture and interior design would be her passion. In May of 2022 she graduated from Marymount University with a Bachelor's in Interior Design. As one of the newest members of the CORE team, Jaida is eager to translate what she has studied over the years into the growth of the company.

Kassandra Bishop

Kassandra's passion in art and design is inspired by the joy of making people feel encouraged. She has worked on a variety of projects including, high-end residential, retail, commercial, and restaurant projects. Kassandra brings a detailed artistic touch to the projects that she works on and is creatively fueled by the desire to leave the client invigorated. The transformation of an interior space, its relation to human behavior and the modern-day lifestyle, is what excites her the most. Kassandra graduated with a Master of  Science in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (concentration in Studio Art) from Bowie State University.

Lina Afzal

Lina joined CORE after working for a luxury furniture brand where she applied her knowledge in high-end residential project furnishings. As a young child, she was inspired by the connection she made with Islamic architecture where the religions core beliefs are translated into structures using intricate detailing of ornamentation through carvings, shapes, and color. Lina graduated from Marymount University with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design. She is currently pursuing her Interior Design Licensure.

Michael Borissow

Michael has over 15 years of design experience, working on a wide range of projects and expanding his repertoire to include multifamily residential and hospitality design, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, renovations, and new construction. Michael truly enjoys the technical side of things and has developed an exceptional technical skill set, serving as a trainer and mentor for his peers. He excels in collaborating with his clients and working closely with engineers to develop thoughtful and responsive design solutions that realize a project’s full potential. Michael received a Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University. He is a well-traveled, multilingual individual, whose unique perspective adds great value to CORE’s versatile team.

Mollie McNally

Mollie enjoys working on a multitude of scales, from master plans to façade details, with careful consideration for environmental and site context. She has a specific passion for adaptive reuse and historic renovations as they offer the opportunity to be creative within existing conditions and combine her interest in history, sustainability, and culture. Mollie joined CORE after graduating from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a minor in Urban Design, summa cum laude. She is an Associate Member of AIA and currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Savanna Wilkinson

Savanna brings to CORE an array of work experience in healthcare, residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. She is passionate about blending architecture with other creative outlets like graphic design, photography, and writing. She has a keen interest in urban design and landscape design as these disciplines help to contextually understand spaces and experiences. Savanna received a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Drury University. She is currently pursing architectural licensure.

Zoë Nystrom

With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry as a sommelier and restaurant manager, Zoë brings extensive expertise to CORE. She pursued hospitality design as an extension of her career, a passion fueled by exploring the growing local restaurant scene. She understands the intricate relationship between design and guest satisfaction, seeking innovative solutions to enhance user experiences. Zoë has a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Intercultural Communications from Pepperdine University. She is currently pursuing her NCIDQ certification.