Atlanta

Kelly McCallister is a seasoned Project Manager with seven years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. With a comprehensive background in supply chain management and vendor relations, she has led numerous hotel projects, ensuring timely delivery and installation. Beyond her expertise in project management, Kelly is a committed member of the NEWH Atlanta Chapter. She has served on the NEWH Atlanta Chapter board for 4 years and now serves as the VP of Administration. She enjoys contributing to NEWH’s mission and is actively involved in all the Chapter’s networking events.

Deaderia Morris-Bowman is Vice President of Strategic Relations at Distinction Hospitality, a custom furniture manufacturer headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, serving the hospitality industry.

After graduating from Spelman College, Deaderia began her career at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and later earned a Business Certificate from Georgetown University. She joined Marriott International in 1987, where she spent nearly 20 years as part of the Marriott design team. During her tenure as Senior Designer and Interior Design Manager, Deaderia led design renovations across a broad portfolio of brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Marquis, Renaissance, and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Her work spanned projects throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, collaborating with ownership groups such as Host Hotels.

Following her time at Marriott, Deaderia joined Kimball Hospitality as Director of Design, where she spent 13 years overseeing a diverse range of projects while contributing to brand enhancement and overall marketing strategy.

Deaderia’s career is fueled by a genuine love for the hospitality industry and the relationships it fosters. She is NCIDQ certified and an active member of NEWH. Outside of work, she finds joy in music, flowers, and her recently discovered passion for cooking. Deaderia lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Elmer Bowman.

With over fifteen years of experience in the Hospitality Industry, Margarita Leon has developed a deep expertise in strategic sourcing and sales management. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work closely with manufacturing mills across China, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil and the US, gaining firsthand experience by traveling to observe and understand the manufacturing process, from sourcing raw materials to final product development. Her extensive background in both global sourcing and business development, combined with her love for exploration and interior design, led her to launch LDBL Group, an independent multi-line sales consultant firm servicing the interior design markets in the Southeast. Like many in the world of design and manufacturing, she shares a passion for the creative process behind product development and a commitment to beautiful quality products. She loves seeing a project unfold and contributing to the look and feel of a uniquely designed space.
Margarita joined the NEWH Atlanta board in 2022 and now serves as Marketing Director for her local chapter. She works side by side with the marketing committee to promote fundraising events, sponsorship programs, and networking initiatives.

Beth James is the Director of Design and Marketing with Oriental Weavers Hospitality. With 25 years of flooring design experience, she has creatively influenced the production of soft surface flooring with a variety manufacturing companies focusing on woven, machine tufted and hand tufted constructions. As a fine artist, she spends her free time pursuing creative and design driven hobbies or playing golf with her husband, Patrick.

She started serving on the board as the Marketing Director with the Atlanta Chapter in 2023. She is currently serving on the board as Secretary for 2025-2026.

Nina Pawelczyk is the east coast Sales Manager for Threadwell. She’s an Industrial Design graduate from Georgia Tech & got her start in the hospitality industry as an Art Consultant in 2012. Nina supports the NEWH Atlanta chapter from her home office in Roswell, GA where she lives with her husband, Joe, and their dog, Queso.

Angie Law is the Marketing Director and Customer Engagement Director with Signature Flooring. She severed as Marketing Director with the Atlanta Chapter in 2022 and is now the VP of Development for 2023. Beth James is the Product Development and Design Director for Hospitality with Signature Flooring. She is serving as the Marketing Director with the Atlanta Chapter for 2023.

Megan May is an accomplished Executive Sales Representative with a strong background in Interior Design. With over six years of experience in hospitality sales, she specializes in managing large-scale projects, overseeing the big picture, and driving sales growth while ensuring exceptional client experiences. Her expertise lies in blending design sensibility with strategic sales execution, making her a trusted partner in the industry.
Beyond sales, Megan is also a passionate entrepreneur, owning a successful cottage-licensed bakery, where creativity and business acumen come together. Whether in sales or baking, her commitment to excellence and innovation shines through in everything she does.

Jennifer has over two decades of experience in the design industry covering all practices with a high hospitality focus.
Starting as a manufacturer’s rep in NYC, Jennifer continued her journey onto Atlanta to manage a high-end showroom and eventually co-launched a boutique representative group called Maven Studio. When she’s not working or playing Mom to both her 2 legged and 4 legged kids, she is trying margarita recipes, paddle boarding, and planning her next trip! She has been active in NEWH because of the difference scholarships can make in opening opportunities for students, which is a passion for her.

Monica Parker is a senior marketing executive and brand strategist with extensive experience in the hospitality flooring market. She serves as the marketing lead for Durkan, Mohawk Group Hospitality and has held floor covering marketing roles for over 30 years. With a professional background in manufacturing and marketing services, Monica is deeply committed to advancing leadership, education, and mentorship—helping the next generation of industry professionals thrive.
Outside of her professional work, Monica values time spent with her family and enjoys being outside playing tennis, boating, and gardening. She is rarely without a new adventure, idea, or side hustle in mind.
This is Monica’s first time serving as a NEWH board member, though she has been a Corporate Partner for several years

Krystal Thomas is a design-driven hospitality project manager with a background in interior design. Since entering the industry in 2014, she has combined creativity and strategy to lead hotel brand projects from concept to completion, delivering spaces that balance aesthetics, function, and guest experience. She works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to bring creative visions to life. Krystal is excited to serve as the new Director of Student Relations and build meaningful connections within the hospitality industry.

As the Marketing Manager at Royal Thai, Brooke is known for crafting and executing innovative marketing campaigns that not only drive brand awareness but also deliver significant sales growth. With a strong passion for marketing, she has built a proven track record of creating impactful strategies that elevate the brand on a global scale.
A graduate of Georgia State University, Brooke holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Business Management, providing a solid foundation for understanding both the creative and strategic sides of business. Her professional journey is marked by a collaborative approach, working cross-functionally with various departments to ensure marketing initiatives are comprehensive and aligned with broader organizational goals.

In addition to her work at Royal Thai, Brooke is excited to serve on the board of NEWH and is passionate about fostering community networking opportunities while supporting local students in the industry.

With over four years of experience at DAC Art Consulting, Hannah Grace plays a vital role in nurturing client relationships and driving new business opportunities. As a Client Relations Associate, she is passionate about educating others on the unique capabilities and services that DAC offers. Her efforts contribute significantly to enhancing the company’s brand visibility and establishing strong connections within the art consulting industry. With a background in Interior Architecture, she offers a unique perspective when working with clients on integrating art into their spaces. Outside of work, Hannah Grace enjoys painting and creating her own artwork. When not immersed in the creative process, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and friends.

Angie Law is the Marketing Director and Customer Engagement Director with Signature Flooring. She severed as Marketing Director with the Atlanta Chapter in 2022 and is now the VP of Development for 2023. Beth James is the Product Development and Design Director for Hospitality with Signature Flooring. She is serving as the Marketing Director with the Atlanta Chapter for 2023.

Deaderia Morris-Bowman is Vice President of Strategic Relations at Distinction Hospitality, a custom furniture manufacturer headquartered in High Point, North Carolina, serving the hospitality industry.

After graduating from Spelman College, Deaderia began her career at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and later earned a Business Certificate from Georgetown University. She joined Marriott International in 1987, where she spent nearly 20 years as part of the Marriott design team. During her tenure as Senior Designer and Interior Design Manager, Deaderia led design renovations across a broad portfolio of brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Marquis, Renaissance, and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Her work spanned projects throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, collaborating with ownership groups such as Host Hotels.

Following her time at Marriott, Deaderia joined Kimball Hospitality as Director of Design, where she spent 13 years overseeing a diverse range of projects while contributing to brand enhancement and overall marketing strategy.

Deaderia’s career is fueled by a genuine love for the hospitality industry and the relationships it fosters. She is NCIDQ certified and an active member of NEWH. Outside of work, she finds joy in music, flowers, and her recently discovered passion for cooking. Deaderia lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Elmer Bowman.

Director of Social Media on the 2022 NEWH International Board of Directors
Vice President of Administration on the 2022 NEWH Atlanta Chapter Executive Board

Colleen is a licensed and registered interior designer with 20 years of experience. She is an associate at DesignONE Studio in Marietta, GA. She has specialized in hospitality her entire career and has vast experience in a variety of project types including resort & urban renovations big and small, adaptive re-use, hotel expansions, luxury residential, and mixed-use developments. She has worked at multiple firms in the Atlanta region with and without Architectural services, which has given her a well-rounded perspective on hospitality design and a technical edge. She strives to mentor young designers by sharing her love of the design process and best practices for working with consultants and vendors to successfully bring a project to life. When not working Colleen loves a variety of ‘grandma hobbies’, roller skating, antique hunts, camping and spending time with her dog.

Ansley Cartwright is the U.S. Digital Marketing Manager at Ulster Carpets, where she develops and executes marketing strategies to drive business growth. Before joining Ulster, Ansley worked in marketing and corporate event planning for a large risk management brokerage. Ansley holds a B.A. in Public Relations, a B.A. in Communication Studies, and an M.A. in Integrated Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Georgia.

Attie Ridley is a Marketing Specialist at Signature Flooring in Dalton, Georgia, where she brings brand stories to life through social media strategy, digital content, and product launch campaigns. She collaborates closely with product development and sales teams to introduce new collections to the market through creative campaigns, events, and strategic marketing initiatives. Attie holds a B.A. in Marketing from the University of Georgia. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring graphic design, trying new Pilates classes, and spending quality time with her fianc`e and friends.

Sara Andrews is an Interior Designer at designONE Studio in Marietta, Georgia. As a recent graduate from the University of Georgia, she plays a role in developing design concepts for luxury hotels, hospitality renovations, and design programs. She is thrilled to serve as the Publications Chair for Atlanta NEWH.

Sadie Burbank is the Southeast Contract Sales Representative at Jerry Pair. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Sadie has a background in textile design from the University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art. She got her start in the hospitality industry in Los Angeles with Kelly Wearstler and her expertise blends design sensibility with strategic sales execution. Sadie’s career is fueled by a genuine love for the hospitality industry and the relationships it fosters. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her friends, gardening, reading and volunteering with non profit organizations.