December 2024 - Present

In 2021, I joined Marina Bay Sands in Singapore transitioning from ID consultancy, to the owner/operator side of design & project management. As Vice President of Interior Design, I lead a team of approximately 20 professionals including: Design Directors, Design Managers, and FF&E Design Managers. I are responsible for managing the interior design and delivery for MBS CapEx initiatives including renovations, new-build and asset acquisitions. Our projects span all operational verticals within the resort, including: Hotel, Casino, Retail, MICE, and F&B.  My role on projects encompasses the complete lifecycle of design, starting from the initial concept and extending through handover to the business.

January 2021 - December 2024

My role on projects encompasses the complete lifecycle of design, starting from the initial concept and extending through handover to the business.

Predesign

• Workshop and substantiate operational briefs with relevant operational stakeholders including test-fits, cost assessments, and early ROI validation  

• Develop Interior Design Briefs ensuring appropriate ID positioning and alignment with cost plan

• Drawing from a cultivated global network of best-in-class design consultants, I am responsible for vetting appropriate partners to shortlist for competitive tender (ID, Art, Signage, etc.)

• Prepare tender documentation including scope of services, technical deliverables, project programs, etc.

• Review and assess consultant proposals ensuring project consultants are clear on deliverables, scope, manpower and design fees

• Assign appropriate ID team resources considering overhead and project forecasts

Design

• Upon consultant award and onset of design, detailed workplans are issued to consultants to ensure project workshops are effective and deliverable milestones are met

• At the end of each design phase, I, with the support of my team, conduct thorough assessments of design deliverables identifying any design or performance issues,  providing constructive critiques, & filtering appropriate design and operational feedback back to the project team. This feedback is instrumental in refining and elevating the quality of design and ensuring the desired design objectives are met.

• The ID team, under my leadership, is responsible for reviewing consultant specified FF&E for each project to ensure the proposed selections are both visually and functionally appropriate.

• As a design leader, it is my responsibility to present completed designs to all stakeholders for both the regional and global executive approval.

Delivery

• At the end of project design, my role changes to delivery oversight and design implementation.

• This includes thorough reviews of CD documentation, tender documentation, shop-drawings & mock-ups reviews - all with a focus on ensuring design vision, operational intent and project budget are achieved.

June 2018 - January 2021

Reporting directly to the Principal of HBAGaming, I held full accountability for the design and project management of multiple high-profile Casino and Integrated Resort (IR) projects. This role demanded a strategic approach to ensure the seamless execution of complex, multidisciplinary initiatives while maintaining the highest standards of design and operational excellence.

Client-Facing Responsibilities:

• Acted as the primary liaison between the project team and client internal operations teams, ensuring all requirements, brand guidelines, and design standards were accurately captured, effectively communicated, and translated into deliverables that exceeded expectations.

• Collaborated closely with leading consultants, fostering synergy and alignment on design intent and technical execution to achieve innovative and cohesive project outcomes.

• Delivered compelling presentations to stakeholders, providing design insights and project updates, and supported the Principal during high-level stakeholder engagements to reinforce confidence in project direction.

• Coordinated on-site activities, including detailed mockup reviews, project control group meetings, and specialized workshops, ensuring the design vision was upheld throughout the project lifecycle.

Internal Leadership and Oversight:

• Mobilized and directed multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables from initiation through completion.

• Provided creative and technical leadership, driving innovative solutions while maintaining a focus on functionality, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction.

• Exercised financial oversight, including budgeting, resource allocation, and profitability management (P&L), while ensuring projects adhered to timelines and financial constraints.

• Implemented robust reporting frameworks to monitor progress, address risks, and deliver insights to key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability across all project phases.

This role required a balance of visionary leadership and meticulous attention to detail, enabling the successful delivery of sophisticated design solutions within the dynamic and fast-paced environment of casino and integrated resort development.

December 2016 - June 2018

As a Senior Designer at Wilson Associates, I was entrusted with shaping the design direction for a diverse portfolio of projects. My role involved interpreting complex project requirements to deliver innovative design solutions that not only embodied the client’s vision but also responded thoughtfully to the unique nuances of the target demographic, project location, historical context, cultural influences, budget, and schedule constraints.

I played a pivotal role throughout all phases of the design process, collaborating closely with clients and multidisciplinary project teams to ensure every element of the project reflected the established design concept and maintained consistency from inception to completion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design Leadership:
  Personally accountable for managing all phases of design, including the development of the concept narrative, space zoning, creation of impactful concept presentations, and the preparation of comprehensive construction documentation. This also extended to fine-tuning design details and overseeing construction administration to ensure the realization of the design vision.

• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
  Partnered closely with owners and operators to align design outcomes with operational needs and strategic goals, ensuring a seamless integration of functionality and aesthetics.

• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination:
  Led daily coordination efforts with architects, engineers, general contractors, and specialist consultants, fostering collaboration and addressing challenges to deliver cohesive and technically sound designs.

• Project Management:
  Worked with internal and external project teams to develop and oversee detailed project timelines, deliverables, and milestones, ensuring alignment with both client expectations and operational requirements.

This role required not only a deep understanding of design principles but also a strategic approach to managing stakeholder relationships and navigating the complexities of large-scale, multidisciplinary projects. My ability to balance creative vision with practical execution contributed to the successful delivery of projects that resonated with clients and end users alike.

April 2011 - 2016

In 2011, I founded Studio Dialect design consultancy and was commissioned by an Atlanta-based entertainment group to develop a series of luxury bottle service lounges and nightclubs. For 5 years I designed and completed 6 projects before relocating with my family to Singapore.

• Designed and completed six luxury high-capacity nightclub / lounge concepts

• Personally responsible for all phases of the design including - contracts, budgeting, scheduling, specifications, and construction administration

• Coordinated cross-discipline on-site with architects, engineers, vendors, lighting/sound technicians, and general contractors

• Developed and managed all project budgets, timelines and team resources

• Solicited bids for fabrication, installation, and arrangement of the materials, finishes, and furnishings required

December 2006 - March 2011

Managed all aspects of the design process from concept through construction for residential, restaurant, retail, spa, and nightclub projects based in the United States and abroad.

• Developed design concepts in 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings

• Responsible for overall project administration and organization

• Coordinated with design leader to initiate concepts, manage budgets and schedules

• Set the overall strategy for producing the design documents for each stage of the work

January 2006 - December 2006

In 2006, I branched out with a colleague as the first employee for his ID startup, I was given firsthand access to the intricacies of building and managing a design business from scratch. This proved to be a critical building block that, in the years to come, would help me have the confidence to start my own business. Project experience included airport Retail and F&B establishments throughout the United States.

March 2001 - January 2006

Hired as an intern out of university, and elevated to Design Associate, these first 5 years of my professional development allowed me to cut my teeth in the design industry alongside an experienced team of designers and architects. Our project focus was Retail and F&B design.