Lisa Chervinsky

Biography

Lisa Chervinsky is an assistant teaching professor of property development and management at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, where she teaches courses in hotel development, planning and design. A licensed architect and Nolan School alumna, Chervinsky discovered her passion for hospitality design as an undergraduate, later earning a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago with the goal of creating memorable guest experiences.

Drawing on her dual background in architecture and hospitality, Chervinsky brings an interdisciplinary approach to the classroom. She combines deep knowledge of hotel operations, building systems and design strategy to prepare students for careers in a competitive and rapidly evolving field. Her teaching emphasizes the integration of business fundamentals, technical expertise and creative vision — skills she has honed over more than 25 years in practice.

Throughout her career, Chervinsky has led the development of iconic and award-winning hospitality spaces for branded and boutique operators in the United States and abroad. She has mentored and managed design teams from concept development through documentation and construction, guiding projects that balance guest experience, operational efficiency and brand identity. Her work reflects a commitment to innovation and to advancing design practices that support both profitability and sustainable work life balance within the industry.

Motivated by the need for more flexible and collaborative design models, Chervinsky founded Collective Vision Design, Ltd., a studio that assembles experienced professionals from multiple disciplines into agile project teams. The firm delivers high quality hospitality design with reduced overhead, enabling organizations to adapt to changing market demands while supporting healthier workplace cultures.

As a working mother, Chervinsky is dedicated to expanding flexible career pathways for parents in the design and hospitality sectors. She is an active member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality and the American Institute of Architects, and continues to advocate for inclusive, supportive professional environments.

Education

MArch University Of Illinois At Chicago, 1996
BS Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, 1989