Allison Cooke, IIDA

Principal

Allison, director of hospitality design at CORE, leads the firm’s restaurant work while also providing direction and feedback for the interiors of libraries, residential buildings, office buildings, and hotel interiors. Clients love her ability to seamlessly shift between creative brainstorming and straightforward conversation about technical requirements. A natural leader and presenter, she is quickly building a portfolio of significant speaking engagements across the country focusing on the varied aspects of restaurant design. Allison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Miami University of Ohio. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and is NCIDQ certified.

David Cheney, AIA

Principal

David is the leading voice in the firm’s technical direction. As director of operations with over 25 years experience, he has established a process-oriented approach to design and construction. David demonstrates superior design skills and technical knowledge of innovative construction materials, value engineering, construction methods, and architectural standards. He builds the portfolio of boutique base-building projects, varying anywhere from new construction to strategic repositioning, and oversees many of the firm’s cultural, mixed-use, public, and historic projects. He leads weekly management meetings and mentors staff in professional development. David has a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, from Norwich University. He is licensed in eight states and is NCARB certified.

Ann Marie Avellino

Business Manager/Controller

Ann Marie Avellino is a seasoned financial manager with over 25 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. Ann Marie is a member of the National Association of Professional Women and the Society of Human Resource Management.

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.

Christina Schlecht

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Christina has over 15 years of experience in leadership and management positions in the professional services, publishing, education, and entertainment industries. At CORE, Christina leads the development and activation of strategic marketing and communications plans that generate company growth. She orchestrates a strategic approach to business development, guides the production of effective lead generation and retention programs, and oversees the design and launch of interactive digital platforms and multi-channel campaigns, 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

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.

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 joined CORE after graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude. While at Syracuse, he studied in Italy and the UK where he strengthened his passion for cultural diversity and regional and historic architecture. His scope of work has included commercial and multifamily residential buildings and corporate interiors and renovations. Daniel 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 Mayo, RA

Daniel's diverse skill set has allowed him to work on various project types, which range from commercial office and multifamily housing to corporate interiors and restaurant design. 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 in Washington, DC.

Dean Hutchison, AIA

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.

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.

Kristen Wong Van Hise, NCIDQ

An NCIDQ certified professional, Kristen's primary focus is on hospitality projects with a specific interest in restaurant and retail design. Her studies concentrated on sustainable design strategies and how interior design can serve to modify human behavior and thought. Kristen received her Master of Arts in Interior Design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Richmond.

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.

Marie C. Vogt, LEED AP

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.

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.

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.

Savanna Wilkinson

Savanna has over three years of work experience in healthcare, residential, commercial, and multifamily projects. She is passionate about blending architecture with other creative outlets like graphic design, marketing, photography, and writing. She has a keen interest in urban design and landscape design as these disciplines help to contextually understand spaces and formal/informal experiences. Savanna received a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Drury University. She is currently pursuing architectural license.