Ms. Katie Z. Leavy

Ms. Katie Z. Leavy is the Owner and Principal of Capital Design LLC, a hospitality interior design firm based in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

The work of Capital Design spans both branded and boutique properties, and ranges in style from historical elegance to clean line transitional design. Capital Design strives to create beautiful, well-planned and enduring spaces, to enhance the hotel image and maximize value for the Guest and the Owner.

Prior to establishing her firm in 2000, Ms. Leavy gained expertise in the hospitality design field through her work with Brennan Beer Gorman & Monk Architects & Interiors, Inc. and Hughes Design Associates, designing luxury hotel properties for brands including Ritz Carlton, Omni Hotels and Four Season Hotels & Resorts. During this time she developed relationships with a network of specialized hospitality vendors, and a pool of talented architects and designers who contribute to her firm's capabilities today.

Ms. Leavy's education includes a Business Degree from Boston College and a Degree of Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is an NCIDQ-qualified professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and an approved designer for Hilton Hotels, Marriott International, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Ms. Leavy has had unique opportunities to apply her design expertise to larger causes. She has consulted for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand home furnishings production opportunities in the Middle East. Additionally, she is a long time advocate of the environment, and has lectured on Sustainable Design Practices at the National Building Museum in Washington DC. The work of Capital Design LLC can be seen in publications including: Metropolitan Home, Design Times, Home & Design, Hospitality Design, and the Washington Post. Ms. Leavy has appeared on Home & Garden Television and writes a weekly column for the Washington Post Express.

Kate Rhinelander, Interior Architecture

Ms. Kate Rhinelander collaborates with Capital Design LLC to address the interior architectural elements of large scale hospitality projects. Her extensive experience in the fields of Architecture and Engineering, coupled with her elegant design aesthetic and fluency in AutoCAD programming, make her an invaluable member of our design team.

After earning her Masters in Architecture from The University of California at Berkeley, Ms. Rhinelander worked on the west coast for B.A.T Design Architecture, developing designs for international retail stores. Her clientele included brands such as Espirit, Bum Equipment, Country Road, and Fila. In 1995 she returned to the East coast to work in hospitality design and architecture for Brennan Beer Gorman Monk Architects & Interiors, Inc. Ms. Rhinelander designed and oversaw many large scale new construction hospitality projects including the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Washington DC and in Monterey Mexico; The Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico; the Safety Harbor Spa & Resort in Safety Harbor FL; and the renovation of the historical Marriott Logan Circle, in Washington DC.

In 2000, Ms. Rhinelander became the Utility Manager in Engineering for the Prince William County Service Authority. Her work included the creation of the Comprehensive Improvement Plans (CIP) for the County, as well as the electronic documentation for the County Permitting and Land Management System.

Ms. Rhinelander holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia, and a Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning from The University of California at Berkeley.

Monika Sibert, Senior Interior Designer

Ms. Monika B. Sibert is a senior consultant with Capital Design LLC's design team. She has worked in the hospitality interior design market for over 15 years and has designed numerous high-end hotels, restaurants, and places of entertainment.

Ms. Sibert gained her hospitality design experience while working for Hughes Design Associates in McLean, VA. While at Hughes Design, Ms. Sibert was in charge of the design, specification and procurement of many luxury hotel projects including the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia; Grand Hyatt New York; Stanford Court Hotel, San Francisco; Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, PA.

Ms. Sibert has also designed numerous Marriott properties including Courtyards and Residence Inns in South Beach, FL; Dania Beach, FL; San Antonio, TX; Raleigh, NC; Charlotte, NC; Ronkonkoma, NY; Erie, PA; Steamboat Springs, CO; Herndon, VA and Chantilly, VA. Other significant projects include Tremont Plaza Hotel, Baltimore, MD; The Dunhill Hotel, Charlotte, NC and two Strike Bowling franchises in Bethesda, MD and Long Island, NY.

Ms. Sibert's work has been featured in publications such as Spaces Magazine, Hospitality Design Magazine, The Washington Post and Home & Design Magazine. Ms. Sibert graduated Cum Laude from West Virginia University, with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She is NCIDQ qualified, and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID.

Yvonne Ruiz, Architect & Project Manager

Yvonne Ruiz consults with Capital Design LLC in the arenas of Architecture and Project Management. She is experienced in overseeing large-scale projects and is well versed in the areas of scope development, cost estimation, and construction oversight and administration. Her ability to manage multiple Projects ranging in size and complexity have proven successful.

Ms. Ruiz holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, and is a licensed Architect in the State of Virginia. Ms Ruiz's design background contains hospitality and institutional projects. While working for Brennan Beer Gorman & Monk Architects in Washington DC, she designed and managed hotel projects for the Hilton, Crowne Plaza and Marriott brands. Her institutional design experience stems from her time with CSNA Architects in Colorado Springs, designing education facilities for the Colorado Springs School System and the University of Colorado.

Ms. Ruiz's commercial Project Management experience is substantial, and includes construction management of the new 100,000 square foot aircraft hangar at Philadelphia International Airport, as well as the flagship US Airways Club & Envoy Lounge. Other work with US Airways includes supervision of new station openings and station renovations throughout the continental U.S., Caribbean and Europe.