"Christina has demonstrated a balance of technical ability, an eye for design, an interest in the business,and a passion for the firm and her craft, truly embodying what it means to be a leader at TPGArchitecture," says Ron Alalouf, Managing Executive and Retail Studio Director.

Named Retail Studio Director less than a year ago, Faley has continued to excel, consistently delivering holistic and memorable brand environments that elevate the experience beyond the transactional. She approaches each challenge with grace, confidence, and a collaborative spirit,serving as a driving force behind the team's success on projects with El Palacio de Hierro, Mutual of America, UPPABaby, and Tishman Speyer.

Katie Kanakos, Managing Associate

Katie Kanakos, AIA, is a challenge-motivated architect and committed client partner. Her elevation to Managing Associate recognizes her exceptional ability to orchestrate boutique and high-end build-outs, bringing to life the inspired visions of industry-leading brands, as well as those at the beginning of their journeys. Developed over her ten-year tenure with TPG Architecture, Kanakos' analytical approach to the design process has underpinned her professional growth; she sees clearly the path to achieving each client's goals, navigating intricate detailing and complex site conditions with ease.

"Katie has shown time and time again that she cares about the work as much as she does the relationships with her clients, many of whom ask for her by name. She has earned the place of trusted advisor, passionate mentor, and leader, and we are immensely proud and grateful for her dedication to success," said Alalouf.

Kanakos' diverse portfolio includes ultra-luxury fashion houses, athletic and sportswear brands --including the award-winning design for the National Hockey League's (NHL) flagship store at OneManhattan West in New York City's Hudson Yards, multiple locations for a global athletic apparel and footwear brand, and the nationwide brick-and-mortar rollout for luxury bedding company Boll &Branch.

Jon Fox, Managing Associate

Jon Fox is an enthusiastic and highly skilled project leader, stretching expertly across all phases of planning, design, and delivery. His innate ability to navigate a vision, pull it apart, question its intentions, and successfully piece it back together, detail by detail, all while serving as an exceptional client partner and steward, has differentiated his work in the Retail Studio. Since first joining TPGArchitecture in 2015, Fox has become integral to the fabric of the studio and the firm, always willing to workshop a problem or help a teammate.

"Jon has embraced every opportunity to be challenged, stretching his skill set to tackle whatever comes his way with positivity and intention. He’s grown into a true leader, consistently delivering exceptional results while building strong, trusting relationships across the studio and its client base," said Alalouf.

Fox has designed world-class destinations for luxury watchmakers, fine jewelers, and high-end automotive brands, as well as executed national retail rollouts for a range of clients.

Sarah Whalen, Creative Director

Sarah Whalen is a gifted, conceptual and technical architectural designer, highly skilled in developing immersive brand experiences that resonate with customers and drive business success. Her promotion to Creative Director recognizes her unwavering commitment to excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and trusted ability to deliver high-quality, personalized environments that reflect the unique identity of each client.

"Sarah consistently brings her talent, creativity, and can-do attitude to everything she does. She’s not onlyan exceptional designer, but also a fantastic teammate, and we’re excited to see the incredible things thefuture holds for her,” said Faley.

Over her 10+ years in the industry, Whalen has built a portfolio that includes standout,award-winning retail spaces for industry-leading brands such as NHL, Boll & Branch, Birkenstock,and El Palacio de Hierro.

TPG Architecture also announced the promotion of Claudia Opel, RA, LEED AP, to Managing Associate. A strategic project leader and trusted mentor, Opel's promotion recognizes her relentless pursuit of excellencein both design and delivery, and celebrates her contributions in heightening the quality of TPG'swork and the performance of the firm's healthcare practice.

“Claudia has played a pivotal role in driving our healthcare pursuits forward, consistently bringingfocus, strategy, and years of industry expertise to every project," said Al Thompson, Managing Executive. "Her leadership has elevated our presence in the sector, and we’re excited to see her continue to shape our growth in this space.”

Opel joined TPG Architecture in 2020, bringing over two decades of experience in medical planning,design, and construction. Known for her sharp attention to detail and collaborative spirit, Opelgrounds each new project in both functionality and compassion. Her thoughtful, pragmatic, and intentional approach to space is lauded for its lasting impact, fostering strong client relationships with some of the region’s most respected institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Northwell Health, Mount Sinai, Atria Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, and NYU Langone Health.

During her time with the firm, Opel has established herself as a true ambassador for the healthcare studio, investing meaningfully in the growth of her teams and fine-tuning their design process to the benefit of her clients. Opel is both deliberate and driven by a quest to do things that make sense,particularly when it comes to enhancing the patient experience. Further, her ability to work skillfully across the project landscape -- liaising seamlessly between architects, engineers, and consultants --to identify solutions and efficiencies has differentiated TPG within the sector.

Her promotion to Managing Associate positions her to further broaden her skill set and mentorship reach, strengthen her relationships with other studios across TPG's team-of-teams structure, and best serve her clients.

“I’m honored to take on this new role, playing an even larger part of the continued growth and sophistication of our healthcare studio,” said Opel. “At TPG, we have the opportunity to create spaces that truly impact lives—from patients and families to the providers who care for them. I look forward to mentoring the next generation of designers and shaping environments that promote healing, dignity, and connection."