Many clients engage Andrea during the earliest stages of project planning, relying on her experience to evaluate design opportunities, establish project priorities, clarify the responsibility matrix, coordinate with architects and brand representatives, and develop practical solutions that support both creative vision and business objectives. Her ability to guide clients through complex decisions with clarity and confidence has helped establish lasting relationships built on trust, collaboration, and consistent results. 

Andrea is known for helping clients translate their vision into memorable interior and exterior hospitality spaces while saving time, controlling costs, and minimizing unnecessary complexity throughout the project. She believes exceptional hospitality design is built on equal parts creativity, technical expertise, and relationships. Her work balances owner business objectives, sophisticated guest experiences, and operational functionality. Throughout her career, she has led the design of hospitality projects across more than 25 hotel brands, crafting timeless environments that remain relevant and attractive long after industry trends have changed. Her designs are guided by a deep understanding of the operational demands, maintenance requirements, and daily realities faced by property leadership and hotel staff, including how furnishings, finishes, and equipment will be used and cared for. 

Andrea remains personally involved throughout each phase of the design process, from programming and concept development through construction administration and final installation. She collaborates closely with owners, architects, general contractors, brand representatives, FF&E installers, and AKDG’s procurement team to ensure each project is delivered with creativity, technical precision, and attention to detail. Her expertise includes interior architecture, finish selections, custom furnishings, lighting, artwork, FF&E specifications, construction documentation, FF&E budgeting, project coordination, installation oversight, and construction administration.  

Andrea is especially passionate about creating hotels with an authentic sense of place. She believes every hotel has the opportunity to reflect the unique character of its location – intentionally blending local culture, architecture, artwork, and carefully selected materials to create authentic, meaningful spaces. She enjoys collaborating with local artists, art consultants, and community organizations to develop curated art programs and design narratives that celebrate each destination’s history, culture, and character. These local influences have become defining elements of many AK Design Group projects, creating memorable guest experiences while remaining aligned with evolving hospitality brand standards. 

Prior to co-founding AK Design Group, Andrea served as a design consultant for Hilton Worldwide’s Architecture & Construction department, where she developed custom design programs for the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn brands. That experience provided valuable insight into hospitality brand standards, franchise development, and the operational considerations that contribute to successful hotel design. Today, clients continue to benefit from AKDG’s longstanding relationships with major hotel brands and the firm’s deep understanding of hospitality brand standards, design approvals, and franchise requirements. 

As Design Principal, Andrea leads and mentors AK Design Group’s interior design team while remaining personally involved in every project. She serves as the primary design liaison for clients, architects, contractors, and AKDG’s procurement team, guiding projects from proposal and planning through construction and installation. Through regular collaboration, owner-architect-contractor (OAC) meetings, and proactive communication, she helps keep project teams aligned while fostering the trust and long-term relationships that have become a hallmark of the firm’s success. 

Andrea’s work has been recognized throughout the hospitality industry for its creativity and design excellence. She is a three-time recipient of the NEWH TopID Award for the Mid-South Region and was named one of Boutique Design magazine’s Boutique 18 Top Designers in 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama in 2000 and has been a Certified NCIDQ Designer since 2005. 

More than two decades after founding AK Design Group, Andrea continues to approach every project with the same philosophy that has guided her career. Many clients have returned to the firm for multiple projects, and much of AKDG’s growth has come through referrals from clients, brand A&C partners, architects, contractors, and FF&E manufacturers. For Andrea, those long-standing relationships are one of the clearest measures of the firm’s success.