HKS Strengthens Interiors Practice with Expanded Leadership Team

Global Design Firm Enhances Interior Design Excellence with Two New Hires and Two Appointments

HKS is pleased to announce key leadership updates within its Interiors practice. Brett Shwery joins the firm as Principal and Global Practice Director of Commercial Interiors, and Erin Foster has joined the firm as Senior Living Interiors Studio Practice Manager. Additionally, Meena Krenek has stepped into the role of Global Sector Director of Interiors, and Brad Robichaux has been named Global Practice Director of Education Interiors.

For the past two years, Ana Pinto-Alexander served as visionary leader as the Global Sector Director of Interiors, guiding the practice to become a global force delivering exceptional designs across health, senior living, corporate interiors, education, sports and branded environments.

Now, Meena Krenek steps into the role of Global Sector Director of Interiors, building on this strong foundation while forging a new path forward. HKS Interiors continues to distinguish itself as a strategic partner, addressing complex challenges and delivering designs that align with business goals through a profound understanding of business strategy and experience-based interior design. With a strong focus on sensory engagement, personalized experiences and data-driven design, this leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter in interiors at HKS and ensures the firm continues to lead the way in creating transformative spaces across every practice.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brett and Erin and celebrate the well-deserved appointments of Meena and Brad,” said Dan Noble, CEO at HKS. “By strengthening our interiors team, we are reinforcing our commitment to growth in this practice area and remain dedicated to the profound role interior design plays in shaping experiences. The future of interiors lies at the intersection of user behaviors, culture, and technology.”

Detailed profiles of each distinguished individual are provided below.

BRETT SHWERY, PRINCIPAL AND GLOBAL PRACTICE DIRECTOR, COMMERCIAL INTERIORS: Brett Shwery is a Principal and Global Practice Director, Commercial Interiors at HKS. He is passionate about an integrated design approach and creating spaces that support a client’s vision. As a design team builder, advocate, and mentor, Brett currently sits on the IIDA Southern California Board and is a recipient of multiple national and international design, service, and industry awards. In 2022, Brett was inducted into the International Interior Design Association’s College of Fellows, the organization’s most prestigious honor.

MEENA KRENEK, PRINCIPAL AND INTERIORS GLOBAL SECTOR DIRECTOR: Meena Krenek is the Interiors Global Sector Director and a Principal at HKS. As the firm’s Global Sector Director, Interiors, she oversees HKS’ Interior Design and Experiential Branding services. She is an inspiring, award-winning designer who has transformed her clients’ companies, strengthening their corporate cultures through experience design. She has a keen ability to embed herself in her clients’ needs and develops tailored design responses that positively influence their business drivers and employee engagement, patron experience, consumer participation, or community connection. Her past design leadership in large design firms has gifted her with the ability to curate creative culture that fosters innovative thinking for provocative design exploration. Her strength is creating interior architecture that tells a story and encourages the users to embark on a unique experiential journey.

BRAD ROBICHAUX, GLOBAL PRACTICE DIRECTOR, EDUCATION INTERIORS: Brad Robichaux is the Global Practice Director for Education Interiors at HKS and focuses on K-12, Higher Education, Student Housing, and Academic Performing Arts projects. Leading the Education Interiors practice, Brad brings 20 years of design and leadership experience in both Education and Commercial projects. His approach to design and leadership is guided by empathy, ideation, and fostering meaningful engagement. Brad is passionate about the psychology of space, recognizing how individuals interact with the interior environment and each other. His vision for the Education design practice is centered on fostering innovation, inclusivity, and adaptability. The mission extends far beyond designing physical spaces and strives to shape environments that empower students, educators, and communities to thrive in an ever-changing world.

ERIN FOSTER, SENIOR LIVING INTERIORS STUDIO PRACTICE MANAGER AND SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER: Erin Foster is a Studio Practice Manager at HKS, specializing in senior living interiors. She is a people person who loves to solve problems. As an interior designer, she enjoys the mix of creative and analytical problem-solving that provides constant opportunities for growth and learning. Having dedicated the majority of her career to senior living design, she is rewarded knowing that her work is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

ABOUT HKS

HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm. Our team of 1,600 architects, designers, planners and advisors partner with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges. From iconic gathering places to healing environments, our designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders. Our work is inspired by curiosity, driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs.