Monica Valente Harriss

Monica joins us following her tenure at Marriott International, leading architecture/interior design projects across Lifestyle Full Service and Select Service brands. Her previous leadership roles at Pelli Clarke Pelli and Perkins Eastman, including research initiatives at Yale, Oxford, and Hunter College, explored the intersection of sustainability, user experience, and the built environment. An accomplished design and construction executive with over 20 years of experience leading complex hospitality, mixed-use, and institutional projects, as Director of Strategy, Monica will lead evaluating project feasibility, mitigating risk, and aligning development with strategic goals, guiding clients through early solutions driven planning. She also loves discovering new places with her three children—whether a restaurant, hidden hiking trail, or an art exhibit.

“The way design shapes how people experience space, the moments of
connection created at the intersection of memory and function, continues to
influence my daily life. It brings me joy to watch my children experience the world.”
—Monica Valente Harriss

Inspired by her brother’s rare eye disorder, observing how he navigated the world through touch, Monica began independent architectural studies in high school. She holds a Bachelors of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Master of Science in Sociology from Hunter College. A passionate advocate for education and equity in design, Monica is the founder of Women in-Design, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women through mentorship, college preparation, and career training—supporting hundreds of students since 2009. She serves on the board of Artisan Discovery, supporting women in indigenous communities through craft entrepreneurship, and PAVE Global, advancing careers in experiential and retail design through mentorship and scholarships.