Rachel Gallaher is an award-winning freelance journalist and editor living in Seattle. With nearly 15 years of experience covering design, architecture, art, travel, and books, she is interested in the spaces where these topics overlap—and their impact on culture at large. Rachel currently writes for a handful of publications, including Robb Report, where she heads up design coverage, Dwell, Azure, Architectural Digest, the Seattle Times, and Luxe. Before freelancing, Rachel was the deputy editor of GRAY—an international design magazine she helped launch in 2011. Over the years, Rachel has received a number of awards for her journalistic talents, including a first-place prize for arts writing from the Society for Features Journalism Regional Awards, and in 2015, she was recognized as one of Folio Magazine’s “30 Under 30” for pushing the industry forward.

Steven Casey is a partner of KPMB Architects, a premiere Canadian practice. His thoughtful and rigorous translation of ideas into built form and commitment to the art and craft of design has earned the highest honours, including from the American Institute of Architects, Royal Institute of British Architects, and Governor General’s Awards. The diversity of his experience includes the Torys LLP offices, the CIGI Campus, and UPENN’s Perelman Center. Through design, Steven is continuously enriching work, life, and culture for a healthier, just future.

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in journalism, Alissa Ponchione received her master’s in literature from American University in Washington, DC in 2009. She has held editor roles at Nightclub & Bar magazine and Hotel News Now, both based in Cleveland, before moving to New York in 2010, where she landed a job at Hospitality Design magazine as associate editor. Since then, she has worked her way up to executive editor, and for the past 10 years, has helped guide the editorial direction of the magazine and website. Additionally, Ponchione has also been instrumental in organizing HD’s signature events, including the HD Awards, Wave of the Future, and HD Expo + Conference.