Meet the 2025 Speakers
Anne Kustner Haser
President and Design Principal
AKLD Lighting Design
Anne is the founder and award-winning leader of AKLD Lighting Design, a woman owned business enterprise (WBE) located in suburban Chicago. As Design Principal, Anne establishes the design direction and ensures high quality design standards by overseeing all AKLD projects. With both Fine Art and Interior Design degrees, Anne has a passion for lighting architecture. She combines aesthetics with technical expertise honed from years designing at a consulting engineering firm. In 1994, Anne founded AKLD Lighting Design. With over 75 awards won, Anne and AKLD have garnered accolades from the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) with their prestigious Award of Excellence, the International GE Award of Excellence for Residential Lighting and numerous Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Illumination Awards. AKLD has completed over 1600 architectural lighting and control system designs in a wide range of applications and environments world-wide.
Raad Ghantous
Principal / Senior Designer, Raad Ghantous & Associates, and VP of Design, Identity Hospitality
Raad’s career spans 20+ years, which includes extensive experience working for design industry giants and architectural icons. Raad has had opportunities to work on projects in diverse global locations from California to Cabo San Lucas, Bermuda, Spain, Japan, China, Taipei, the nation island of Mauritius, and The United Arab Emirates. Along with a degree in design, Raad has a background in business, holding a degree in Economics from The American College of Switzerland and an MBA in Marketing from the Peter F. Drucker graduate school of business at Claremont Graduate University. From his international work and personal global experience, Raad seamlessly integrates creativity and design, with project management and business strategy.
Adrienne Russ
Vice President Operations
Frazier Homes
Adrienne serves as the Executive Vice President of Operations. Adrienne is Green Belt Six Sigma Certified with a concentration on lean processes. Responsible for the Frazier homes day to day administrative and operational functions. Focusing on process improvement, client satisfaction, supply chain and human resources management.
Dawn McKenna
CEO & Founding Principal
The Dawn McKenna Group
Dawn McKenna is one of America’s most successful, creative, and sought-after luxury real estate agents. She’s No. 1 in her hometown, Hinsdale, Illinois, and leads the No. 1 mega team in Naples, Chicago, and Park City. She is also ranked in the top 20 mega teams by Wall Street Journal Real Trends 2024. To provide global reach for her clients, Dawn became a founding member of two exclusive, invite-only international networks: the International Luxury Alliance, which connects Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, and Hampton International’s most successful global agents; and Global Collective, which is made up of only the top agent of any agency in the most important luxury markets in the world. Her strong work ethic and innovative vision allowed Dawn to build the Dawn McKenna Group – also a market leader in Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Geneva, WI, and Harbor Country, MI. Through her talents, network, hand-chosen agents, and in-house teams, DMG has become a nationally acclaimed leader.
David Gordon
President
Kurtz Homes | Naples
With an eye for detail, commitment to quality, and desire to create a rewarding build experience, David has led as project manager on multiple new custom homes and condos, oversaw the Kurtz Concierge Estate Management Division, and exponentially grew the Remodeling Division. As a graduate from Elon University in Business Administration and with 15 years of experience in the company, David brings to the table his expertise in the Naples market, long-lasting relationships with subcontractors, and exceptional knowledge in high quality builds. When David is not overseeing daily operations and keeps the company on course with its vision, he can most likely be found out on the water spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and their four children.
Duane Draughon
Owner
VizX Design Studios
Duane Draughon is a well-known and highly respected outdoor living designer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. As the owner and lead designer of VizX Design Studios, he has gained national recognition for his cutting-edge outdoor living designs that incorporate a modern design style. Duane's designs are unique and breathtaking. Duane began his career as an apprentice with a local landscape design firm in Columbus, OH, where he started designing outdoor living spaces in 1998. After working for Talk Landscape Design for a few years, he decided to start his own outdoor living construction company called PaverStone Design Group. Duane's unique and cutting-edge design style quickly gained attention, and his company went on to win multiple awards and be featured in local and national publications. During his time at PaverStone Design Group, Duane realized that clients were interested in his design style and wanted to see what they were ultimately buying before the project even started. This led to the birth of VizX Design Studios, where he could present his designs in 3D and capture clients across the United States. Duane took a significant risk by closing his construction company and moving to Chicago, IL, to pursue his dream of running an Outdoor Living Design Firm. This decision paid off, as VizX Design Studios has grown into a highly successful business that has received national recognition. Duane's background in engineering and architectural drafting, as well as his years of owning his own construction firm and attending seminars, and completing elective coursework, have provided him with a wealth of design experience. His work has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, including CNN, Inc. Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and other local newspapers and magazines. Duane is passionate about outdoor living and enjoys sharing his expertise with others. He is dedicated to empowering contractors and designers in the outdoor living space. With his extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, Duane continues to push the boundaries of outdoor living design and inspire others to do the same.
Mark Benner
President
Mark Eric Benner - Architects, Ltd.
Mark Benner, AIA is the visionary force behind the inception of Mark Eric Benner — Architects, Ltd., a dynamic architectural design firm committed to delivering unparalleled creative excellence to a diverse clientele. Rooted in the belief that exceptional architecture emerges from a harmonious fusion of innovative design concepts and masterful communication, our practice has meticulously crafted cuttingedge methodologies that seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art technology to maximize project potential and value. Mark's professional journey was profoundly enriched as a principal and architect at Orren Pickell Designers and Builders, a prestigious luxury residential design/build enterprise in Chicago's northern suburbs. Since joining the firm in 1995, Mark spearheaded the implementation and advancement of the company's pioneering CAD initiative, overseeing the realization of nearly four hundred homes with a collective construction value exceeding $275 million.
David Lupberger
President
Remodel Force
David Lupberger draws on more than two decades of experience in the residential remodeling field to work with remodelers in developing proven business systems. Through his work in the remodeling industry, he hopes to redefine the way the remodeling industry operates so that the trust between quality Remodelers, their customers, suppliers, and trade contractors can be leveraged and improved. Lupberger has been involved with custom home building and remodeling for over 20 years. After moving to the Washington DC area in 1988, he practiced high-end residential remodeling and focused on delivering the highest quality service to his clients. Over 90 percent of his work came from repeat and referral business, demonstrating the trust he developed with clients. That experience in managing customer expectations led him to write a book called, Managing the Emotional Homeowner, which has become one of the bibles of the remodeling industry and helped hundreds of remodelers improve the level of service they provide clients. Lupberger believes fervently that the best customer service only comes when a remodeler can deliver consistent results, which happens only with proven systems. He spent nearly 4 years writing the Remodelers Turnkey Program. This series of manuals is a basic how-to text on running a remodeling company. He recently authored the Home Asset Management Plan, a business system showing contractors how to implement a “client for life” program with their homeowner clients.
Wendy S. Cohen
CEO and Founder
PowerHouse Group of Companies
Wendy Cohen, CEO, established PowerHouse Recruiting, a division of PowerHouse Advisors, LLC, a successful business consultancy since 2006. She started her career as a Realtor(R) in 1989 in luxury real estate, transitioned into building a legacy design + build company (18 years) where she created the gold standard for luxury design-build in the Midwest. While she never takes off her builder/developer hat, Wendy continues to serve hundreds of industry employers and candidates across the nation for over thirty years. Wendy’s primary vision and purpose is to help others grow. In other words, by allowing them to find their purpose and helping them create a fulfilling lifelong career. Thus, Powerhouse Recruiting flourished out of this mission. As a result, Wendy is able to apply her industry expertise, experience, and network power to help employers recruit and hire the best talent to grow their businesses.
Michael Menn
Principal, Architect
Michael Menn Ltd. (MMLTD)
In 1983, Michael formed his own private practice in architecture mainly devoted to small custom residential and commercial projects. Over the years the firm has evolved into a diverse architectural, planning, interior design and construction firm. Design Construction Concepts, Ltd. was officially established in 1991 as a fullservice design/build entity. In 2010 Mr. Menn, seeking a new challenge, formed a new design/build entity, Michael Menn Ltd. focused on bringing architecture and construction excellence to the forefront for each client.
L.A DeRiggi
Principal + Owner
Hudson Park Interior Design
L.A. DeRiggi believes being encouraged to explore the world from a young age helped provide a foundation for connecting individual creativity and a universal understanding of the human element. As principal of Hudson Park Interior Design, that perspective on the influence of interior design has been the catalyst for his unconventional pursuit of design concepts that connect classic techniques with modern elements to support lifestyle and well-being enhancement with problem-solving ingenuity. “A lifelong passion for the arts and sciences has encouraged me to push the boundaries of interior design beyond the known applications, while challenging myself and others to exceed the standard expectations of the industry. I am driven to make a difference in people’s lives through intrinsic design to provide a sense of whole-being wellness,” DeRiggi says. “The impact of kindness is the key attribute that influences each completed project and the relationships I cultivate on my career path and personal trajectory.” For DeRiggi, collaboration requires cultivation and successful interior design projects represent the harmony of teamwork. Following the same philosophy and passion in his company, DeRiggi is committed to investing in his team’s individual growth and supporting the philanthropic endeavors of the community.
Alexa Warner
Managing Partner
Fuse Specialty Appliances
Alexa Warner serves as one of the three Managing Partners at Fuse Specialty Appliances, a renowned appliance retailer renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service. With nearly two decades of experience etched into her career in the appliance industry, Alexa has played an instrumental role in shaping both the triumphs and reputation of Fuse Specialty Appliances. Fueled by an unwavering passion for aiding clients in bringing their dream homes to life, Alexa has devoted her professional journey to delivering top-tier appliance solutions to homeowners, builders, and designers. Alexa, alongside her partners Tim Brohawn and Mike Robertson, co-founded Fuse Specialty Appliances with a shared vision of providing a boutique, high-end appliance showroom experience alongside a dedicated in-field service. The company prides itself on selecting brands that not only meet design and performance requirements but also uphold their products with exceptional post-sale service. Under Alexa Warner's astute leadership, Fuse Specialty Appliances has emerged as a trusted companion in countless households, offering an extensive array of top-tier brands and cutting-edge products. Beyond her pivotal role at Fuse Specialty Appliances, Alexa is also a devoted mother of two wonderful children, cherishing the Floridian lifestyle. As one of the Managing Partners at Fuse Specialty Appliances, Alexa remains steadfast in her commitment to steering the company toward new horizons. Her unwavering focus remains on delivering unparalleled appliances and service to customers, assisting them in crafting homes they truly adore.
Robert Anderson
General Manager
Premiere Systems
Robert Anderson is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the electrical and technology industries. Starting his career as an electrician at 16, Robert's expertise has grown to encompass lighting design, programming, software, networking, and leadership. As Vice President and Principal at Premiere Systems, Naples, Robert played a pivotal role in driving innovation and efficiency, while setting high standards for customer service. His visionary leadership and ability to anticipate industry trends have been instrumental in the success of Premiere SAV, a venture he helped pioneer. Robert's technical mastery, combined with his lighting design knowledge and business acumen, makes him a respected leader in the industry, always pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence.
Meet the 2025 Experts and Moderators
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Megan Reilly
Co-Founder
WestEdge Design Fair
Candy Scott
CEO & Principal Designer
MOOD | Design + Build
Melinda Jakovich-Lagrange
Real Estate Broker
Compass
Susan El-Naggar, ASID, RID, NCIDQ, LEED GA, WELL AP
CEO & Principal Interior Designer
Susan El-Naggar Interior Design
Yael Rajstein
Principal Owner
YR Studio
Michelle Rohrer-Lauer
Interior Designer | Owner
Michelle's Interiors Design Group
Kathy Smart
Chief Marketing Officer
PBS Contractors
Christine Lutz
Director of Development Sales & MarketingDawn McKenna Group
Karen Larson-Murphy
Principal
Broad Avenue Studios
Gregory L. Palmer
Senior Principal/
Architect
Harrison Design
Andy Lauber
Director
Soucie Horner, Ltd.
