Meet the 2026 Speakers and Expert Moderators
Wendy Cohen
CEO & Founder
PowerHouse Recruiting™, a division of PowerHouse Advisors™
Wendy Cohen, CEO, brings 30 years of luxury industry expertise. As a former VP of a design-build development firm, she played a pivotal role in its growth from 12 employees to 120 team members, and from $6M to $60M in revenue, with seven vertically integrated profit centers. Wendy’s leadership, industry expertise, and extraordinary network make her a powerful force. The PowerHouse Companies comprise three distinct firms: •PowerHouse Recruiting •PowerHouse SMART® •PowerHouse Luxury Conferences The impactful combination of our verticals gives us the power and competitive advantage in helping others grow. PowerHouse Recruiting: Builds teams for elite employers, saving them time and money while helping top-talent candidates find their perfect career home. Together, we empower human spirits for personal and professional development and growth. PowerHouse SMART®: An exclusive ‘by invitation or referral only’ luxury industry relationship-building community that brings like-minded leaders together to connect, learn, and grow. PowerHouse Luxury Conferences/Events: Creates premier industry events held in select cities across the globe. PowerHouse events transcend traditional networking, providing a unique platform that brings leaders together to inspire, educate, and collaborate—all while celebrating the world of luxury.
Brett Byron
Marketing Director
Scott Byron & Co., Inc.
As Director of Marketing, I lead the firm’s brand strategy, digital presence, and industry outreach, shaping how our work is experienced by clients and partners across the region. I oversee all marketing initiatives—including campaigns, content creation, social media, photography, videography, and print collateral—while managing agency partnerships and guiding brand governance. At the heart of my work is a genuine love of stories: I’m driven by listening to what people care about, understanding their passions, and translating those insights into meaningful narratives that connect our brand to our community. My role also supports business development through strategic events, collaborations, and sponsorships, and I lead internal culture initiatives that strengthen communication and reinforce our R.A.V.E. philosophy. I bring a creative, strategic, and human-centered approach to my work, believing that the best ideas—and the strongest brands—are built through shared stories and true collaboration.
Ryan Hainey
Photographer
Ryan Hainey Photography
Ryan Hainey is from the Midwest. What started as a desire to leave, turned into a deep appreciation for the land, the people, and the communities he's a part of. Ryan studied photography at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He began his career working with renowed sculptor Richard Edelman, but in 2013, he turned back towards his roots. After exploring abandones spaces in his senior thesis, Ryan redirected his focus to interior design. He found inspiration in spaces that had stories to tell, and in th eprocess, he became deeply connected to the design community across the Midwest.
Lauren Coburn
Owner
Lauren Coburn, LLC
Lauren is an award winning industry leader with over 26 years of experience of building, renovating and designing breathtaking luxury homes. Lauren's philosophy is entirely based upon collaboration, trust and bringing client dreams to life. Lauren collaborates closely with clients, builders and architects. She oversees the entire process of designing and executing new construction homes from inception to completion. Lauren is a steadfast client advocate, prioritizing client needs and desires at every stage.
.jpg)
Tom Wynn
Studio Director
Wade Weissmann Architecture
Tom has served as Studio Director of the Milwaukee Studio of WWA for over a decade. His responsibilities encompass the leadership, development, and oversight of architectural staff and management of over 30 projects with a combined construction cost of more than $150MM throughout the Midwest and Florida markets. Tom’s residential architectural journey began in 1994 with an internship at RWA Architects in Cincinnati and would take him to Chicago to work under Thomas Beeby, (learning classical and traditional principles and details), and subsequently Stuart Cohen and Julie Hacker, (where traditional details were fused with a tailored, transitional design approach). Following his time at Cohen and Hacker, Tom formed his own practice, at which time he coincidentally met Wade Weissmann, though it would be several years before their paths crossed again. In the summer of 2015, Tom reconnected with Wade and made the decision to relocate to Milwaukee.
Rae Muranski
Chief Operating Officer
Moderne Living
Rae Muranski is the co-founder of Moderne Living, a 10,000-square-foot luxury design showroom located in Chicago’s River North Design District. The two-level space serves as a resource hub for architects and interior designers, showcasing Italian architectural systems, custom kitchens, bespoke millwork, marble applications, and curated furniture collections — all under one roof. Rae works closely with design professionals on high-end residential and boutique commercial projects, helping translate ambitious concepts into refined, technically precise, and fully integrated environments. Her focus is on bridging European craftsmanship with local architectural practice, supporting designers from specification through final installation.
Jennifer McGinnis
Principal Designer
Redux Interior Design
For over 20 years, Jennifer McGinnis, CEO and Principal Designer, has built a reputation as a trusted design advocate for professional families throughout Greater Chicago. As an NCIDQ-certified interior designer, she brings extensive experience in both construction and design, guiding projects seamlessly from concept through completion. Jennifer is known for creating homes that are not only beautifully designed, but thoughtfully planned for long-term function and return on investment. From large-scale renovations and custom new construction to full-scope furnishings and styling, she partners closely with her clients to craft homes that truly support the way their families live. Jennifer believes in doing it right the first time. She’s passionate about craftsmanship, attentive to detail, and deeply committed to seeing each vision come to life. AND she loves a good gin & tonic.
Teak Barton
President
Macnon Builders
Teak Barton, president and founder of Macnon Builders, was introduced to the world of construction at the age of eleven while working for his father's large Chicago-based general contracting firm. In those early days, his main tools were a broom and a shovel. Over time, however, he gained hands-on experience and developed into a skilled carpenter and craftsman, learning from many talented professionals he had the privilege of working alongside. After his father retired and sold his share of the business, Teak continued his career with several North Shore builders, where he gained valuable experience in framing, trim carpentry, and eventually project management. During this period, he was also studying engineering and drafting at the University of Illinois. Through years of hands-on work and growing responsibilities, he developed the confidence and vision to build something of his own. In 1987, driven by a strong sense of integrity and commitment to his clients, Teak founded Macnon Builders with the goal of becoming one of the North Shore’s best builders. As his portfolio of completed projects and satisfied clients grew, he began collaborating with some of the area’s most respected architects and designers. These partnerships sparked a deeper interest in the possibilities of custom home design.
Rebecca Pogonitz
Principal Designer
GOGO Design Group
In 2001, Rebecca founded GOGO Design Group to serve residential design clients in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest. Rather than being recognized for a particular design style, she is known for designing spaces that are uniquely tailored to each homeowner’s preferences and daily lifestyle, resulting in rich, layered spaces that will embolden, energize and delight them for years to come. With honesty, integrity and trust at the core of how GOGO Design Group operates, Rebecca provides valuable insight, design expertise and personal attention as the unique vision for each client’s home is brought to life. Rebecca speaks often on design-related topics at consumer education events and B2B design/build conferences. Her work has been featured in Chicago Tribune Magazine and on Houzz and HGTV.com.
.jpg)
Matt Lederer
President
Mahogany Builders
Matt Lederer, owner of Mahogany Builders, has been remodeling homes in the Chicago area for the past 26 years. After graduating from the University of Washington in St. Louis, Matt's career path took him from a family manufacturing business to franchising to the high-tech sector. He became a skilled project manager adept at meeting budgets, managing people, facilitating tasks and successfully completing projects. Matt became a "weekend" remodeler after buying and fixing up rental properties. As his projects grew and he acquired more property, he became frustrated by the unreliability and lack of professionalism in Chicago area contractors. He realized that his strengths in corporate America were an advantage in an industry where contractors lacked any level of professionalism. Matt scouted and trained a team of skilled tradesmen to work on his rental properties and eventually the complete gut of a single family home. From that, Mahogany Builders was formed. Mahogany Builders is unique from other contractors in that it employs the project management techniques and methodology from his corporate background. In drafting estimates, they conduct a thorough analysis of a project including the effort and cost to complete specific tasks within each trade. During construction the Mahogany team focuses on managing labor and materials while constantly updating clients with progress reports and detailed discussions. Matt is famous for saying, that there will be no surprises on the final bill, and that his projects will not only be done well, they will be done on time.
Randy Heller
Principal Interior Designer
Randy Heller Design
Proportion, form and scale come first, says Randy Heller; the founder of Pure & Simple Interior Design on Chicago's North Shore. "The room has to be right architecturally. I love working with the shell of the house first." Heller, a graduate of the International Academy of Art in Chicago, learned this lesson early in her career when she studied under celebrity designer Kelly Hoppen in the U.K. to broaden her scope of interior design and architecture. Upon returning to the United States, she spent 10 years working on homes as varied as historic estates and converted horse stables before opening her Design House and Learning Center, a hybrid design studio and art gallery, in a renovated 1925 English Caldwell in downtown Ravinia. There, in her signature neutral palette, Randy combines her love of art, contemporary design and antiques and invites clients and design enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the transformative world of design. "I believe design has the ability to change the way we feel on a daily basis. Successful design creates monumental experiences in one's life."
Keitha Brathwaite
Principal/Founder
Keitha Brathwaite Interior Design
Keitha Brathwaite is the founder and principal of Keitha Brathwaite Interior Design, a full-service design firm located in Chicago. With more than 30 years’ experience in the design industry, her design sensibility is multi-layered, multi-cultural, and refined. Her mission is to create warm, welcoming spaces with a focus on simple luxury. She listens to a client’s needs and considers their lifestyle prior to beginning the design process and maps out an overall vision for their home from concept through installation. Keitha feels the most rewarding part of the process is when clients are in love with their new sanctuary and their expectations have been exceeded. Her accolades include "Designer to Watch" by i4design magazine, being featured in Uptown Magazine and Remarkable Woman Magazine. She was recognized as one of the Top 20 African-American Interior Designers in the nation. She has also been featured in design segments for ABC7 Chicago, NBC Chicago, and the WCIU show, You and Me in the Morning.
Philip Sassano
Principal & Design Lead
The Design Coach, LLC
Philip Sassano embodies creativity as an act of human connection, centering his work on the people behind each brief. Over a twenty-five year journey grounded in artistry, contracting, and empathy, he has refined a philosophy rooted in designing for people—not projects. As both coach and creator, Sassano champions a Creative Contracting™ mindset: integrated architecture, design, fabrication, and lifestyle services aligned with each client’s personal narrative and legacy. His new three-pronged comprehensive service model—Design/Build, Design/Decoration, and Lifestyle Support—is a bold reimagining of luxury design that merges artistry with holistic stewardship over the life cycle of a home. He imparts a deeply human sensibility to design: empathy, attentiveness to detail, and playful problem-solving guide every spatial transformation. Sassano believes that fresh creativity flows from an optimistic, tuned mindset: “a creative mindset that is always optimistic breeds ideas and inspiration that negativity never will”. His design process is hands-on, expressive, and iterative—reclaiming vintage elements, crafting bespoke features from reclaimed barn wood or custom-built bars, and layering purposeful accents that tell a story.
Carrie McCormick
@properties | Christie's Int. RE
Carrie McCormick, a leader in the Chicago Real Estate market, has more than 24 years of real estate sales expertise along with an unsurpassed reputation for quality and results-oriented service and support. As a member of the Christie's Master Circle, Carrie constantly stays on top of sophisticated technology which has made her a forerunner in the marketing and selling of real estate, she has it down to a science. Her talents and on-target recommendations are always based on facts, reliable market analysis, and her vast knowledge of real estate and the market. Patient yet persistent, she is also highly detail oriented & a very determined negotiator.
Stephanie Litza
Project Manager
Power Construction
Stephanie Litza is a Project Manager with the Luxury Residence Group at Power Construction, where she specializes in the execution of highly detailed, architecturally driven residential projects. With 14 years of experience in construction management, she works closely with architects, interior designers, and specialized consultants to guide complex custom homes from concept through completion. Her work centers on translating ambitious design into meticulously executed residences, balancing craft, constructability, and performance. Stephanie has managed projects featuring bespoke architectural elements, sophisticated building systems, and refined material palettes, helping design teams navigate the technical realities of building while preserving the integrity of their vision. Projects she has contributed to have been featured in Marie Claire Maison Italia, Michigan Avenue Magazine and Luxe Interiors + Design among others. She is particularly interested in the intersection of architecture, design, and construction, and in the collaborative process required to bring thoughtful, high-performance homes to life.
Diana Melichar
Architect and President
Melichar Architects
Diana Melichar is President of Melichar Architects. With over thirty years of architectural design and construction experience, she provides the vision, leadership, and design direction that are the cornerstones of the quality of work done by the firm. Additionally, she coordinates and supervises all activities of the architectural team, and is responsible for design and technical services including design development, construction documentation, budgets and construction supervision. Her wide range of experience in exterior and interior architecture for residential, corporate, commercial, civic, and historic preservation projects assures effective management of the complexities of any project. Diana is committed to providing exceptional results with excellent value for clients of Melichar Architects. Diana holds a Master of Architecture and Urban Design degree from Columbia University in New York City and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. She is registered as an architect, an interior designer and previously held her real estate license for fifteen years. Diana is certified as an aging-in-place specialist by the National Association of Homebuilders. Her professional memberships include the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architecture Registration boards (NCARB). Taking her professional commitment even further, Diana served for five years as a Commissioner of the Preservation Commission in Highland Park, Illinois, reviewing proposed projects and generating public awareness of preservation. Additionally, she participated in community forums and committees; has been a Small Project Forum Advisor for the AIA. Diana has been a juror for preservation awards reviews along the North Shore, including Chicago, Evanston, Highland Park and Lake Forest. She also actively participated in the historic renovation of the City of Lake Forest's Ragdale artist's residence, on Ragdale's Renovation Task Force Committee. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Board of Directors for a leading manufacturer and technical innovator for the green energy industry. Diana enjoys reading, singing and spending time with her two daughters, and exploring nature with her two dogs.