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Meet The Team
Tobi Wray
Owner | Founder
After over 10 years of in-house retail and hospitality concept design experience, designing for two of the world's most influential brands, Tobi Wray founded Design Well Spent Co in 2020. Tobi is a NCIDQ-certified professional, member of the IIDA, the PNW Chapter President of the Retail Design Institute, and the recipient of several design awards including design:retail magazine's 40 under 40 in 2018. Most recently, Tobi was the Senior Manager of Design for Specialty Retail at Amazon.com. She led a team of interior designers, architects, and industrial designers in coming up with new retail design concepts for the online giant - Amazon Books, Amazon 4-star, and Presented by Amazon, to name a few. Prior to Amazon, Tobi led the America's Concept Design team at Starbucks Coffee Company, developing new concepts for Starbucks and their emerging brands, including TAZO Tea and Teavana. Tobi earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA where she is currently a part-time Interior Architecture instructor.
After over 10 years of in-house retail and hospitality concept design experience, designing for two of the world's most influential brands, Tobi Wray founded Design Well Spent Co in 2020. Tobi is a NCIDQ-certified professional, member of the IIDA, the PNW Chapter President of the Retail Design Institute, and the recipient of several design awards including design:retail magazine's 40 under 40 in 2018. Most recently, Tobi was the Senior Manager of Design for Specialty Retail at Amazon.com. She led a team of interior designers, architects, and industrial designers in coming up with new retail design concepts for the online giant - Amazon Books, Amazon 4-star, and Presented by Amazon, to name a few. Prior to Amazon, Tobi led the America's Concept Design team at Starbucks Coffee Company, developing new concepts for Starbucks and their emerging brands, including TAZO Tea and Teavana. Tobi earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA where she is currently a part-time Interior Architecture instructor.
Rachelle Saletto
Principal Interior Designer
Over the past decade, Rachelle has spent her career creating interiors for international brands across the globe. Most recently, she was living and working in London as a Senior Designer for WeWork's enterprise team, bringing innovative co-working design to diverse international clients. She led projects for global pharmaceutical companies, boutique social clubs, and high-growth tech companies – including work in Moscow, Tel Aviv, and London. Prior to that, she worked for Starbucks Coffee Company on the Americas Concept Design Team, where she developed custom designs for the Store Design Catalog and a new concept design for Teavana Tea. Her work has been featured in publications such as: Dezeen, Vogue UK, and Elle Decor. Rachelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Bellevue College and currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Over the past decade, Rachelle has spent her career creating interiors for international brands across the globe. Most recently, she was living and working in London as a Senior Designer for WeWork's enterprise team, bringing innovative co-working design to diverse international clients. She led projects for global pharmaceutical companies, boutique social clubs, and high-growth tech companies – including work in Moscow, Tel Aviv, and London. Prior to that, she worked for Starbucks Coffee Company on the Americas Concept Design Team, where she developed custom designs for the Store Design Catalog and a new concept design for Teavana Tea. Her work has been featured in publications such as: Dezeen, Vogue UK, and Elle Decor. Rachelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Bellevue College and currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Jessica Araujo
Associate Principal Interior Designer
Jessica is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with over 10 years experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co. Jessica worked at large architecture firms, focusing on higher education, creative workplace, multi-family and hospitality projects. Most recently she was a Senior Associate Designer at Mithun, a Seattle-area firm, where she worked on and lead creative workplace projects for large tech companies. Her work has been featured in Fast Company and recognized by IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter Design INmass-Macro Award. Jessica earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Cornish College of the Arts. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from Western Washington University. Jessica lives in Seattle, WA.
Jessica is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with over 10 years experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co. Jessica worked at large architecture firms, focusing on higher education, creative workplace, multi-family and hospitality projects. Most recently she was a Senior Associate Designer at Mithun, a Seattle-area firm, where she worked on and lead creative workplace projects for large tech companies. Her work has been featured in Fast Company and recognized by IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter Design INmass-Macro Award. Jessica earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Cornish College of the Arts. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from Western Washington University. Jessica lives in Seattle, WA.
Corrie Bell
Senior Interior Designer
Over the past decade, Corrie has specialized in new hospitality concept design experience and product design in collaboration with some of the world’s leading brands. Most recently, Corrie was a lead designer on the Americas Concept Design team at Starbucks Coffee Company. She designed and developed custom furniture, lighting and fixture designs for the Design Catalog as well as new concepts for; Starbucks Reserve, Cold Pop and Princi to name a few. She has collaborated with major brands such as; West Elm and Wayfair; and her work has been featured in publications such as; Business Insider and CNBC. Corrie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Corrie currently lives in Kent, WA.
Over the past decade, Corrie has specialized in new hospitality concept design experience and product design in collaboration with some of the world’s leading brands. Most recently, Corrie was a lead designer on the Americas Concept Design team at Starbucks Coffee Company. She designed and developed custom furniture, lighting and fixture designs for the Design Catalog as well as new concepts for; Starbucks Reserve, Cold Pop and Princi to name a few. She has collaborated with major brands such as; West Elm and Wayfair; and her work has been featured in publications such as; Business Insider and CNBC. Corrie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Corrie currently lives in Kent, WA.
Emily Vester
Senior Interior Designer
Emily is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with over 7 years of experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co, Emily worked at Seattle-based Mithun, focusing on corporate interior and hospitality projects. In her role as Senior Associate, Emily worked as lead designer for creative workplace projects for a variety of companies to craft functional, innovative, and research-driven spaces. She believes that human experience matters at every scale and that interiors, architecture, and branding should take a holistic approach. Her work has been featured in Business Insider, Fast Company, Office Snapshots, Architectural SSL Magazine, and recognized by IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter Design INmass and INstory Awards. Emily earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design with a Minor in Sustainability from Arizona State University. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Emily is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with over 7 years of experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co, Emily worked at Seattle-based Mithun, focusing on corporate interior and hospitality projects. In her role as Senior Associate, Emily worked as lead designer for creative workplace projects for a variety of companies to craft functional, innovative, and research-driven spaces. She believes that human experience matters at every scale and that interiors, architecture, and branding should take a holistic approach. Her work has been featured in Business Insider, Fast Company, Office Snapshots, Architectural SSL Magazine, and recognized by IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter Design INmass and INstory Awards. Emily earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design with a Minor in Sustainability from Arizona State University. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Kristin Navarrete
Interior Designer
Kristin is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with 5 years of experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co. Kristin worked at architectural firms across Washington DC, Pittsburgh and most recently Seattle. Her experience has been focused on workplace design while touching on healthcare clinics, lab design and other various project types making her a versatile designer. She earned her Master of Interior Architecture from Chatham University in Pittsburgh after deciding to pursue interior design as a second career. Kristin moved to Seattle, WA in 2018 and lives in West Seattle.
Kristin is a NCIDQ-certified interior designer with 5 years of experience in commercial design. Before starting at DWS Co. Kristin worked at architectural firms across Washington DC, Pittsburgh and most recently Seattle. Her experience has been focused on workplace design while touching on healthcare clinics, lab design and other various project types making her a versatile designer. She earned her Master of Interior Architecture from Chatham University in Pittsburgh after deciding to pursue interior design as a second career. Kristin moved to Seattle, WA in 2018 and lives in West Seattle.
Kate McQuade Nolte
Associate Interior Designer
Kate earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. While in school, Kate worked as a Designer for a Seattle-based residential design-build company. Prior to Bellevue College, Kate was an Administrative Assistant for the Fashion Office at Nordstrom which sparked her passion for retail and her pursuit of a creative career in design. Kate is a Communications Co-Chair and Board Member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Retail Design Institute. She also volunteers for the IIDA to contribute and stay connected to the local design community. Kate loves tending to house plants, jewelry-making, our beautiful Pacific Northwest summers, and making improvements to her West Seattle home.
Kate earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. While in school, Kate worked as a Designer for a Seattle-based residential design-build company. Prior to Bellevue College, Kate was an Administrative Assistant for the Fashion Office at Nordstrom which sparked her passion for retail and her pursuit of a creative career in design. Kate is a Communications Co-Chair and Board Member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Retail Design Institute. She also volunteers for the IIDA to contribute and stay connected to the local design community. Kate loves tending to house plants, jewelry-making, our beautiful Pacific Northwest summers, and making improvements to her West Seattle home.
Danaia Brown
Associate Interior Designer
Danaia received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture degree from Cornish College of the Arts. Prior to pursuing a career in design, Danaia worked in the hospitality industry for IHG and Marriott Hotels, inspiring her passion to pursue a career focused on hospitality and retail design. While a student, she worked as a Junior Designer at West Elm helping clients visualize their dream homes. Danaia aspires to pursue a variety of projects in the field that utilize design thinking to help enrich underrepresented communities. In her free time, Danaia enjoys spending quality time with her family and opinionated Siamese cat named Lewis.
Danaia received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture degree from Cornish College of the Arts. Prior to pursuing a career in design, Danaia worked in the hospitality industry for IHG and Marriott Hotels, inspiring her passion to pursue a career focused on hospitality and retail design. While a student, she worked as a Junior Designer at West Elm helping clients visualize their dream homes. Danaia aspires to pursue a variety of projects in the field that utilize design thinking to help enrich underrepresented communities. In her free time, Danaia enjoys spending quality time with her family and opinionated Siamese cat named Lewis.
Leigh Novak
Senior Program Manager
Prior to joining DWS, Leigh held a variety of roles across her 16 years at Starbucks. She gained extensive experience in all facets of complex supply chain, retail store development for international market growth, project management and commercialization for single-use packaging innovation, as well as procurement for store design elements such as finishes, furniture, artwork and signage.
A proud Chicagoland native, Leigh’s hands-on design industry experience began 20 years ago as a film student at Columbia College, when she worked at an interior architecture design firm as the lead designer’s assistant. In that position, she created presentation boards for luxury retail clients, managed material submittals, and learned the ropes of design; while falling in love with fabrics, finishes, glue guns and self-healing cutting mats.
Leigh is an avid outdoorswoman, cold water surfer, forager, soap-maker, crafter, writer and musician.
Prior to joining DWS, Leigh held a variety of roles across her 16 years at Starbucks. She gained extensive experience in all facets of complex supply chain, retail store development for international market growth, project management and commercialization for single-use packaging innovation, as well as procurement for store design elements such as finishes, furniture, artwork and signage.
A proud Chicagoland native, Leigh’s hands-on design industry experience began 20 years ago as a film student at Columbia College, when she worked at an interior architecture design firm as the lead designer’s assistant. In that position, she created presentation boards for luxury retail clients, managed material submittals, and learned the ropes of design; while falling in love with fabrics, finishes, glue guns and self-healing cutting mats.
Leigh is an avid outdoorswoman, cold water surfer, forager, soap-maker, crafter, writer and musician.
Mary Jill Turner
Senior Construction Manager
With over 20 years of experience, Mary Jill has worked in various roles in the construction industry. She started her career as a project engineer for large commercial general contractors in Denver before moving to Seattle to work as a project manager for a global general contractor. She has experience with large and small projects, including stadiums, office tenant improvements, retail, lab research facilities and restaurants. After her time with general contractors, Mary Jill moved on to the role of third-party consultant before landing as an in-house construction manager for Amazon Books. She has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Colorado State University. Mary Jill lives in Seattle with her husband, two elementary-school-age sons and two Labrador retrievers. Having grown up in Albuquerque, she is a relentless sun-chaser especially when it includes van camping, snowboarding, or fly-fishing.
With over 20 years of experience, Mary Jill has worked in various roles in the construction industry. She started her career as a project engineer for large commercial general contractors in Denver before moving to Seattle to work as a project manager for a global general contractor. She has experience with large and small projects, including stadiums, office tenant improvements, retail, lab research facilities and restaurants. After her time with general contractors, Mary Jill moved on to the role of third-party consultant before landing as an in-house construction manager for Amazon Books. She has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Colorado State University. Mary Jill lives in Seattle with her husband, two elementary-school-age sons and two Labrador retrievers. Having grown up in Albuquerque, she is a relentless sun-chaser especially when it includes van camping, snowboarding, or fly-fishing.
Angela Vitense
Senior Sourcing Manager
Angela is an experienced professional with over 20 years in program management, product development, sourcing, and manufacturing. Alongside her design teams, Angela develops innovative and logical sourcing solutions that bring a project to life, on time and on budget. During her retail career, she worked diligently to deliver million-dollar savings initiatives, through annual new store and renovation initiatives. She is known to build close working relationships with design teams and suppliers, with the goal of delivering beyond the client’s expectations in quality, cost, and design.
Growing up, Angela spent her school time in California and summers in South Carolina where her eclectic and bohemian style and gentle welcoming nature emerged. Her college career began at San Diego State University, then graduating from Cal Lutheran University. She moved to Seattle where she began her career in the Store Development Procurement Department at Starbucks Coffee Company. She worked her way up from Junior Buyer to Senior Buyer to Project & Program Manager, and then eventually to Store Materials Manager, specializing in furniture product design development.
Angela is an experienced professional with over 20 years in program management, product development, sourcing, and manufacturing. Alongside her design teams, Angela develops innovative and logical sourcing solutions that bring a project to life, on time and on budget. During her retail career, she worked diligently to deliver million-dollar savings initiatives, through annual new store and renovation initiatives. She is known to build close working relationships with design teams and suppliers, with the goal of delivering beyond the client’s expectations in quality, cost, and design.
Growing up, Angela spent her school time in California and summers in South Carolina where her eclectic and bohemian style and gentle welcoming nature emerged. Her college career began at San Diego State University, then graduating from Cal Lutheran University. She moved to Seattle where she began her career in the Store Development Procurement Department at Starbucks Coffee Company. She worked her way up from Junior Buyer to Senior Buyer to Project & Program Manager, and then eventually to Store Materials Manager, specializing in furniture product design development.
Brittany Eble
Interior Design Intern
Brittany is DWS Co's first-ever Interior Design Intern! A bit about Brittany:
Brittany discovered her love of design while working in the retail sector where she developed an interest in the interaction between people and the spaces we inhabit. This, and a life-long passion for creative expression, led her to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Bellevue College. Her education imparted the great importance of sustainable architecture, for which she plans to be a strong advocate throughout her career. In her free time, Brittany loves volunteering for various design organizations (including the IIDA and the Retail Design Institute), spending quality time with her daughter, and reading or listening to podcasts.
Brittany is DWS Co's first-ever Interior Design Intern! A bit about Brittany:
Brittany discovered her love of design while working in the retail sector where she developed an interest in the interaction between people and the spaces we inhabit. This, and a life-long passion for creative expression, led her to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Bellevue College. Her education imparted the great importance of sustainable architecture, for which she plans to be a strong advocate throughout her career. In her free time, Brittany loves volunteering for various design organizations (including the IIDA and the Retail Design Institute), spending quality time with her daughter, and reading or listening to podcasts.
Jennifer Langdon
Senior Sourcing Manager
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