Speakers

Alix Loiseau is Director of Virtual Design & Construction at Royal Caribbean Group, where he leads the development of immersive spatial collaboration tools and digital twin environments for ship design and construction. With a background spanning architecture, applied technology, and enterprise innovation, Alix is focused on transforming how cross-functional teams visualize, review, and deliver complex design projects at scale.

Aliya Khan is the Vice President of Global Design Strategy and Product Development at Marriott International, where she oversees the creative direction for over 30 brands across the Premium, Select and Midscale portfolios. With a background in both Architecture and Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, she has built a reputation for translating brand strategy into thoughtful, resonant guest experiences at scale.

Throughout nearly two decades in the hospitality space, Aliya has played a key role in launching and evolving brands that have shaped the hotel landscape. Her contributions were central to the expansion of the iconic W Hotels brand in the mid 2000s. Her leadership served as a driving vision for the pioneering, select-service design-led Aloft Hotels in partnership with the Rockwell Group, and today has led the development of new concepts for Marriott Bonvoy including – Apartments by Marriott, Series by Marriott and the creation of the Outdoor Collection.

Aliya also plays a key role in shaping flagship properties and creative partnerships that push design forward. From Moxy Banff with Workshop APD and The Westin Washington DC Downtown with Parts and Labor Design, to the award-winning Bentley Suites collaboration with St. Regis, she consistently curates design relationships that elevate both the brand and the guest experience. These projects reflect her belief in the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration to drive innovation and differentiate Marriott’s global portfolio.

Based in Washington, D.C., she remains deeply engaged in the broader design conversation, drawing inspiration from travel, art, and architecture around the world. Her work continues to redefine how design lives within hospitality, not just as a visual language, but as a strategic force for innovation, business and brand growth.

I am an architect with more than 30 years’ experience and more than 20 years of experience in the cruise industry. I have worked on a number of ships. In the last couple of years, it has mainly been Disney ships. I have mainly worked on the upper decks and exterior design. In addition to design, I have also been contracted to Disney as project manager for exterior and upper decks for the last 3 years.

I have done a lot of work with 3D models from Revit as the basis for renders done in Lumion and Twin-Motion. I have also been using 3D models together with the yard to align and correlate information

Bruno Solís Almeida is an industrial designer working at the intersection of architecture, design, and luxury. His career has evolved through a combination of deliberate choices and a fair share of serendipity, beginning as an apprentice to a master glass artist and expanding into roles across visual merchandising and the world of architecture.

Today, Bruno serves as Concept Manager at Grupo Vidanta, where he shapes creative direction from the very inception of architectural and interior design projects. His work includes the design of emblematic resorts across Mexico’s coastlines, the development of the world’s first luxury theme park, contributions to the interiors of the brand’s first mega yacht, and collaborative ventures with Cirque du Soleil.

Driven by a strong sense of purpose, Bruno approaches design as both a creative and human discipline, focused on how spaces are experienced, remembered, and brought to life through collective effort.

Charles Steadman is the Director of Food and Beverage Experience and Strategic Partnerships at Virgin Voyages, where he has led the development of a bold, guest-centric dining and drinking program since 2018. Across a fleet featuring more than 20 eateries and 25 bars per ship, he brings a land-based, premium hospitality mindset to the cruise industry, blending experience design with commercial performance.

Steadman has curated a distinctive portfolio of food and beverage offerings, collaborating with acclaimed chefs including Tom Colicchio, Matthew Kenney, Maneet Chauhan, Matt Lambert, Sohui Kim, and Silvana Esparza. His approach focuses on creating immersive, purpose-driven environments that enhance guest engagement while driving revenue and loyalty.

Prior to Virgin Voyages, he spent over a decade at The Breakers in Palm Beach, opened his own restaurant, Jack’s Grumpy Grouper, and worked with Starwood Hotels to help conceptualize 1 Hotel South Beach.

Chrystal is speaking at CSI Design Expo Americas, their full bio will be available shortly.

Gordon Boggis is the CEO of Carnegie, a leading designer and manufacturer of authentically sustainable commercial wallcoverings, textiles and acoustic solutions. Carnegie is the only Certified B Corp in its industry segment and is best known for its Cradle-to-Cradle Gold and Living Product Challenge Certified Biobased Xorel. The Xorel range also includes IMO Wheelmark wallcoverings and indoor/outdoor upholstery.

Prior to Carnegie, Gordon led companies across a range of industries, with a strong focus on textiles, innovative materials, health and wellness and purpose-driven businesses. He’s passionate about harnessing the talents of companies to be a force for good and deliver positive change.

Gordon grew up in the UK and gained his B.Sc. in chemistry from Loughborough University. His strong background in science, materials engineering and production processes brings a unique perspective to the manufacturing and development of healthier alternative materials for the built environment.

Despite living in the USA for over 25 years, he still refers to “soccer” as “football.”

On Completing a career as a Chief Engineer, Graeme joined Lloyd’s Register (LR) in 1996 as a Ship Surveyor, working on almost all types of existing ocean-going vessels in New York were the activities also included undertaking surveys on Equipment and components for new and existing vessels.

Graeme Transferred to Philadelphia were after becoming a Senior Surveyor, he began working on the classification of equipment and components, materials; also undertaking Quality Schemes for Equipment and Components and Materials.

Subsequently, Graeme became senior Surveyor in charge of the port of Philadelphia and Baltimore as well as regional Coordinator of the Quality Assurance for Engineering Systems operated within the Americas.

Graeme in December 2015 changed roles to become the Americas Type Approval – Business Development Manager as Lloyd’s Register recognised the importance of having a dedicated Technical matter expert who could undertake supporting role for the Equipment and component manufacturers and the steel mills, foundry’s, forging companies, etc. who support the shipbuilding and existing shipping industry.

Focus today is the continual improvement of the Type Approval process, Certification and Alternative methods such as the Quality Assurance for Engineering Systems QAES which allows companies flexibility for Certification, supply chain management and also certification of unique innovative products for Marine and Offshore use.

Graeme holds a B. Eng. in Mechanical System and Design Engineering from the University of Liverpool in Liverpool, United Kingdom. He has also qualified as a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Engineering Council within the UK and a Member of Institution of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEst).

As Chief Brand Officer at Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, Janice Davidson brings extensive expertise in the luxury cruise industry. Since joining Regent in 2010, she has played a pivotal role in elevating brand strategy, driving creative excellence, and enhancing the guest experience.

She has assisted with the development and design of new builds across the brands, helping shape the future of luxury cruising. Prior to her current role, she served as Regent’s VP of Creative & Guest Experience and brings a strong foundation in agency side creative leadership.

Today, Janice leads global brand strategy and oversees the development of best in class creative and marketing across all channels. She spearheads brand storytelling for upcoming ship launches and refurbishments, collaborating closely with cross functional teams to deliver exceptional introductions of new vessels within the luxury cruise category.

Lindsay Keir is Director of Marketing at II BY IV DESIGN, an internationally recognized studio specializing in hospitality-driven environments across hotels, cruise ships, retail, and multi-unit residential. Working closely with founding partners Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, she leads global business development and strategic positioning for the firm.

Her work focuses on how experience, brand, and business strategy intersect, examining how design influences loyalty, operational clarity, and long-term value. With growing involvement in experiential hospitality at sea, she is particularly interested in how cruise environments balance immersive storytelling with technical and operational realities.

She brings a cross-sector perspective to the conversation, drawing from retail, residential, and land-based hospitality to inform evolving approaches to cruise design.

Linh Nguyen is an accomplished interior designer in the cruise industry. With over 13 years of experience as a Senior Design Manager at Seabourn & Holland America Line, her expertise spans from cruise ship design to managing multi-million-dollar projects on prominent cruise brands such as ultra-luxury Seabourn and premium Holland America Line. After receiving her BA in Communications from the University of Washington, she diversified her skills and pursued a degree in Interior Design at Bellevue College.

Linh started her career at Holland America, quickly moving into the role of designing and managing ships. Now, with the company her leadership role focuses on design, strategy and interior operational maintenance. From large‑scale projects to intimate spaces, her work is guided by intention, creativity, and a commitment to sustainability.

My is the Senior Director, Design & Innovation for HA Line and leads the design department overseeing three prominent cruise brands: Holland America Line and Seabourn. My’s design experience is diversified across Refurbishment and Newbuild.

As a globally recognized thought leader, My’s repertoire of achievements span both land and sea. She is known for her internationally acclaimed award-winning designs as well as being a public speaker on topics close to her heart such as Sustainability and Leadership.

On the topic of inspiration, My says, “inspiration to me is not a noun. It’s more of a mindset. I’m as inspired seeing the colors of leaves while walking in my neighborhood as I am looking at fashion in different cities that I visit around the world. The key is to always keep your eyes open and not have tunnel vision. That mindset assures you will always feel inspired”.

Co-owner of Trimline, Nick Farrell is a software engineering expert with a history of building and developing companies in the marine technology industry.

Having provided technology and global event support for trans-ocean yacht races, desert car rallies and Arctic husky adventures in the past, he is no stranger to the logistical issues of getting people and materials to far-flung places with tricky time constraints.

Combining his software engineering knowledge and passion for efficiency, Nick worked closely with the Trimline team to develop the award-winning Trimline App (TAPP) which now runs their entire business and offers refit transparency to their clients.

He is looking forward to seeing familiar faces, and chatting about the latest advancements in TAPP, at the Cruise Ship Interiors Expos in Miami and London.

Tolù is the visionary behind Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. He adopts a holistic approach to design, collaborating with the finest artisans, craftsmen, and makers to create a unified aesthetic that is timeless yet globally contemporary. He’s an expert storyteller who considers and chooses every facet of every project in order to convey its unique narrative. 

Born in Nigeria, Tolù moved to London in 1995. In his teens, he was mentored by Design Museum founder Sir Terence Conran on furniture design. He honed his artistic flair at Camberwell College of Arts (now University of the Arts London), and later attained his Interior Design BA degree at Bournemouth University. During his studies he developed a distinctive aesthetic characterised by classic luxury and attention to detail, craft, and functionality.

Tolù has held several senior positions at renowned interior design firms, including David Collins Studio. He has worked on multiple residential, hospitality and maritime projects all around the world. Selected projects include Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill Restaurant

The Ritz, Edition, W, Hilton, and Marriott hotels

and MSC, Norwegian, and Viking cruise lines.

Tolù is a proud member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and The Society of British and International Interior Designers (SBID).