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FOUNDER


Stephan Weishaupt

For curator Stephan Weishaupt, design is about relationships. Weishaupt’s intuition, world view, and above all, affinity for connecting people is what helps him bring the best of the world of design together into a truly original experience. 

Born and raised in Munich, Weishaupt’s relationship with his family — a long line of entrepreneurs, architects, and carpenters — imparted his insatiable curiosity and appreciation of art and design. After graduating from the University of Applied Sciences, Weishaupt worked in marketing for a luxury automotive conglomerate before establishing his own communications consultancy with an impressive roster of design and fashion clients.

His friendship with design legends George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg ignited the idea for a curated design experience that would bring undiscovered global talent to America. Together they founded AVENUE ROAD in 2007, with Weishaupt taking full ownership in 2016. A decade later, Weishaupt’s unique taste has received many accolades, his homes having been featured by the likes of Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, and Vogue. However, true to form, his focus and his measure of success is the quality of the relationships he is built with the world’s top designers and brands who have come to trust him as a true collaborator.

Stephan Weishaupt’s appreciation for the unexpected, coupled with the respect for authentic craftsmanship led him to join the Fogo Island Art Advisory Board  in 2017. This role, along with a continued expansion of the Weishaupt Design Group portfolio will undoubtedly include many more inspiring relationships to come.

TEAM




Working with integrity, grit and humour, our Group makes things happen. We share a collective passion, curiosity, and a creative approach to continuously deliver personal, meaningful experiences. All our teams work together with a thoughtful, forward-looking approach, prompting our clients and collaborators to expect the unexpected.

Great ideas come from everywhere, regardless of a person’s role or position - we truly believe everyone’s contribution matters. Here is a list of the people bringing great ideas and solutions to our business every day: 

Weishaupt Design Group

Al-Amin Balogun SAP B1 Manager Alexander Godet Warehouse Associate Andrew Marzec Design Specialist Basim El-Dakkak Warehouse Supervisor Bhanuprakash Parappa SAP B1 Analyst Chance Snow-Shermet Inventory Product Specialist Chris Godet Warehouse Manager Ciara O’Brien-Jackson Executive Assistant to the Owner Ciska Slabbert Director of Finance Clarke Yin Client Success Manager Dakota Park Graphic Designer David Orellana HR Coordinator Eileen Lange Client Success Specialist Emily O’Gorman Director, Product & Vendor Relationships Giulia Narchi Purchasing Manager Hooly Sim Director, Digital Marketing Jay Geerts Warehouse Associate Jean Unufegan Warehouse Associate Jenny Wong Client Success Specialist Joanne Cortese Director, 5oz. Jonathon Litchfield Director, Brand & Experience Julia Tunney Director, Project Management Justin Vesak Warehouse Associate Kathy Yu Product Information Specialist Karishma Sharma Sales Assistant Kevin Wang Accounting Coordinator Kyle Burnell-Davis Logistics Coordinator  Laura Gutierrez Web Content Coordinator LaRhae Priestley Director, Talent & Culture Manuella Martin Marketing Coordinator Mary Lim Purchasing Executive Michael Barr Managing Director, WDG Mona Balsini Purchasing Executive  Muskoka Dittmar-McCallum 5oz. Gallery Coordinator Myrtle Jurado Client Success Specialist Nicole Lukkarinen Client Success Specialist Nikol Lunin Accounting Coordinator Omar Dakak Warehouse Associate Orlando Security Rachael Pinto Client Success Specialist Reyes Ozuna Warehouse Associate Samantha Sibley Jr. Project Manager Sarah Mackinnon Brand Production & Design Manager Stephanie Peters VP, Finance Tara Crowley Logistics Manager Tazeen Rasiwala Client Success Specialist Terell Jervis Warehouse Associate Tyler Admiraal Associate Director, Talent & Culture Umair Usmani Financial Controller Walid Louis  Director, Logistics & Warehousing Whitney Adam Director, Client Success

AVENUE ROAD - Toronto

Brandon Hogan Associate Director Carlos Achoy Ramirez Event & Client Experience Coordinator Dan Crystal Sales Executive Erin Perri Project Sales Executive Janet Stone Sr. Director, Sales & Business Development Jenelle Wells Sales Executive Sean Newman Sr. Sales Executive  

AVENUE ROAD - Vancouver 

Kelsie Grant Associate Director Kendra Carlson Associate Director Felipy Bertolini Architectural Design Specialist Sandra Bitelli Sales Executive Sandra Kalil Architectural Sales Executive Ying Wang Sales Executive Yuyan Wei Sales Associate

AVENUE ROAD - New York

Susan Sakin Director of Sales & Business Development Douglas Callaway Sr. Sales Executive Justine Tolentino Client Experience Coordinator Kseniia Kelly Sales Associate Melissa Stowell Sales Executive  Milo Penales Sales Executive Pam Schlesinger Sales Associate

AVENUE ROAD - Miami

Ania Kollek Director of Sales & Business Development Cecilia Javier Reyes Client Experience Coordinator Dana Laquidara Sales Executive Daniel Valewink Sales Executive Ilan Peisajovich Senior Sales Executive Natalia Zurowska Architectural Designer

AVENUE ROAD - Dallas

Adrienne Wheatley Sales Executive Whitney King Sales Executive

MAN OF PARTS
Sahar Mojab Director of Operations Muriel Revisa Product Development Manager Nicholas Frangione Operations Coordinator

YELLOW WOOD
Sonia Germain Executive Director Bruce McKenzie Grounds Manager Damien Maunat Experience Manager Daniel Guaragna Landscape Labourer Lucas Powell Assistant Groundskeeper

LEADERSHIP


Managing Director, Michael Barr, leads Weishaupt Design Group’s operations and cross functional teams, bringing a warmth and focus to each interaction. Drawing from a background in Marketing and Communications, and having been with Avenue Road since the beginning, Michael has a uniquely fine-tuned understanding of every facet of the business.

Michael is passionate about art and design and a committed member of the global design community, lending his expertise locally as a past Snowball gala committee member in support of Casey House and as a contributor to the IDS Advisory Group.

Stephanie  Peters
VP, Finance
Stephanie is an operationally focused finance leader with a diverse industry background. Starting her career at KPMG, Stephanie worked with enterprise clients as well as within the consumer industrial market. After obtaining her CPA-CA, she spent time in mining and technology before realizing her true passion, working for passionate people.

When not burying her head in an Excel spreadsheet, you can find Steph making jewelry, biking or attempting acrobatics.

Joanne Cortese
Director
Joanne is a passionate communicator and a global citizen, originally hailing from the UK, but having spent recent years living in Japan, Singapore, Germany, and Hong Kong, and now Canada, working predominantly in Art Galleries. Having spent her career selling a mixture of European, Asian and North American art, both Contemporary and Masterpieces, Joanne has worked in partnership with artists and curating shows in a diversity of contexts. 


Janet Stone, Avenue Road’s Toronto Director of Sales & Business Development is a Sales Leader with over 20 years’ experience in consultative selling and team management. Highly skilled at cultivating long term relationships within the design community, Janet has been recognized for her close collaboration with designers on domestic and international projects, from conception to completion.

Janet has been with Avenue Road since its inception in 2007, and has been a devotee ever since, bringing her own brand of practical enthusiasm for working with beautiful objects and talented people every day.


Ania Kollek
Director, Sales & Business Development Miami
A Polish native, Ania has over 15 years of experience in the A&D industry, the majority of which based in New York City. She began her career as an interior designer with a background in art history, thereby developing an organic communication style with her clients, as she’s fully versed in their needs. Ania draws satisfaction from leading a team to successes built on a solid foundation and meaningful client relationships.

An avid reader, Ania enjoys painting and entertaining in her Miami garden oasis, accompanied by two rescue dogs and her loved ones.

Emily O’Gorman
Director, Product & Vendor Relationships
An Irish native, Emily O’Gorman has 19 years diverse experience within the luxury CPG industry in both Europe and North America, having managed Operations and the Supply Chain within both large multi-national companies and smaller organizations. A strong & positive communicator, Emily applies her qualifications to support process re-engineering and growth for Avenue Road. 

In her spare time, Emily enjoys exploring her creative side through interior design and travel.

Jonathon Litchfield
Director, Brand & Experience
As Director of Brand & Experience, Jonathon ensures the quality and continuity of all points of contact with AVENUE ROAD. His passion for crafting authentic brand experiences has deep roots. Prior to building his own successful retail brand he spent 20 years refining and engineering all client touchpoints in retail, attractions, and hospitality for one of Canada’s leading tourism and hospitality companies. Jonathon is enriched by shared meals, belly laughs, and beauty, ideally close to nature. 


LaRhae came to the Human Resources space after her work experience showed her where her true strength is – with people. She brings to her role as Director, Talent & Culture, an essential ability to listen and empathize with others in a way that cultivates trusting relationships.

Outside of work, you can find LaRhae snuggled up watching movies after a long walk or run through the park with two rescue dogs; who, much like people, need very different things from her, which she is happy to provide.

Sonia Germain brings to her role as Executive Director of Yellow Wood extensive experience within the global
design community and a deep sense of curiosity. Sonia is a strategic thinker with a sense of humour, flexibility, and the sensitivity required to work with diverse personalities and situations.

Outside of work, Sonia relishes adventures big and small, from summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to exploring Toronto’s multitude of parks and food purveyors.

Walid Louis
Director, Logistics & Warehousing
Walid Louis, Director, Logistics and Warehousing, joined Weishaupt Design Group with an extensive logistics background, having led a national team with one of Canada’s top luxury retailers. Walid is currently pursuing his CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) certificate via CBSA to add to his Supply Chain and Business background. An insatiable student, Walid is also currently learning his way around the kitchen and teaching himself to cook.


Whitney is a practiced Listener with the ability to get to the root of any problem; she also has the exceptional ability to communicate with ease and professionalism. Leading her team to delight clients and surpass their expectations, Whitney works with the goal of creating positive experiences and building confidence in the Avenue Road brand and service.

A self-described foodie, Whitney also dabbles in painting as a way to flex creative muscle.