Our Designers & Architect
ROOMS OF HOPE is proud to have a very talented group of volunteer designers on our team who are committed and dedicated to helping children with serious medical conditions and their families. Together, we are honored to work with these amazing families.
ALINA DRUGA
Alina Druga is the principal designer and owner of “Alina Druga Interiors.” Alina began her journey in the design industry as a Certified CAD Drafter. In 2009, she went back to school for her degree in Interior Design. With a love for creating better living spaces and a passion for helping people, Alina understands the importance of delivering the best space possible for each person she helps! “Designing is what I love to do most, and helping people bring their dreams to reality is a joy!” Alina made this statement when referring to her work with seriously ill children, “Bringing a smile on a child’s face and giving them a little bit of joy while going through such a hard time in their life is an amazing experience and the greatest reward. It is truly a privilege to meet and design for these amazing children!” Alina lives in Castro Valley with her husband and their two daughters.
ANNA STEWART
Anna Stewart started life in Seattle, Washington. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Cal State East Bay. Anna’s design abilities surfaced during her college years as her roommates would often come back to college and a completely redesigned apartment. Surprised at first, but then they appreciated the new look. Anna also loves animals and took her love for design and animals to new heights, literally! She designed cat condos for the feline residents at Tony La Russa’s ARF! Her love for design drew her to working in retail both Pottery Barn and Design Within Reach (DWR.) During her tenure at DWR, she worked hand-in-hand with the designers and was always fascinated by the history of modern design. Currently she is a Project Assistant for Contra Costa Electric in Martinez where she also resides. Anna care for children is off the charts! “Having the ability to give a small piece of joy to our RoH children’s lives is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. For us, it might just be a room, but for them, it’s their where their dreams come true.”
ANNE NECKAR
Anne Neckar moved, from Minnesota, to the Bay Area in 1984. She earned her BS in Biological Sciences and worked in the pharmaceutical industry until stepping aside to stay at home with her twin daughters. Once they left for college, she returned to college and earned her Certificate of Interior Design. This is where she learned of Rooms of Hope and immediately started volunteering. Rooms of Hope is the perfect place to combine her love of volunteering and design! She also started her own design business, Finishing Touches, and does part-time residential design. “I feel blessed to help these very special kids!”
BYNN ESMOND
Bynn Esmond is the principal designer of Bynn Esmond Interiors. She was raised in Southern California and received her A.S. in Interior Design before transferring to San Jose State University. After working in high tech for many years, she took some time off to raise her children. Presently, with her children at an older age, she has found her passion calling again. She enrolled, once again, into an interior design program to continue her education and was introduced to Rooms of Hope through her teacher, Jill, another Rooms of Hope designer. Bynn has always felt a special calling to help bring hope and joy to children with life-threatening diseases. Her first experience was through the Leukemia Society in 1999 where she sponsored a child, raised money for the organization and trained and ran her first marathon to help raise awareness. Being back in interior design has been very rewarding. She looks forward to helping more Rooms of Hope children.
CHARILIE HAM
Charlie Ham, our in-house licensed architect, has been serving the design needs of clients for more than thirty years. His passion for creating environments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing is always at the forefront of his aspirations. When it comes to complex projects and satisfying the needs of his clients, Charlie soars! His love is design, and helping children interact with their surroundings in a more meaningful way is his forte’. Charlie specializes in creating schools and daycares with a special emphasis in accessible design. One of his favorite projects was creating a space for high school girls with babies working towards their diploma in an unconventional setting. Charlie has also modernized two special education centers for a local K-12 school district. Two meaningful projects included designing an elevated playground structure for those children in wheelchairs, and a playground racecar track where children with motor skill disabilities could propel themselves and drive while being kept safe by a secured harness system. “Helping my community makes me feel connected to what is most important about life.”
CHRISTINE KNOTT
Christine Knott was born and raised in the Bay Area. She spent most of her adult life working in the legal field. As a child, she would often rearrange her furniture in her bedroom. At 14 years old, she redecorated her bedroom choosing wallpaper, paint, and coordinating bedding. It is clear that she has always had an affinity for and an interest in design. In 2011, while working toward her Interior Design Certificate, Christine met Shelley Ham and instantly felt the overwhelming need to be part of the wonderful group of volunteers who provided dream room makeovers for children with life-threatening illnesses. Christine’s daughter had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2004, and so she felt an instant connection with its mission and purpose. “Being able to provide joy and hope to a child who is going through such a difficult experience is one of the most fulfilling and humbling experiences of my life.” Christine lives in Livermore with her husband of 28 years.
EMILIA VIVEIROS
Emilia Viveiros was born and raised in the Azores, Portugal and moved to the US with her family when she was 14. Her extended family consists of artisans who create, renovate, and build. Since she was young, Emilia has been gifted with a keen sense of knowledge in all things construction and design. Together with her interior design and artisan skills she has successfully renovated several homes and completed other design projects. Working with Rooms of Hope has allowed her creativity to shine as she designs spaces for these special children whose imaginations are limitless. Emilia currently lives in San Ramon with her husband and 2 sons.
JILL HORNBECK
Jill Hornbeck was born and raised in Livermore. After graduating from UC Davis in Design, she started her own design business, Everett Interiors in 1992. She has experience in a variety of positions from doing residential design, model homes, staging, remodels and working for 5 years as a Marketing Coordinator for 2 local home builders. Jill and her wonderful husband, Neal, have been married for 19 years and have 3 teenage children. They know the power of prayer when their twins were born at 29 weeks and spent almost 2 months in the NICU. Known as a practical designer, Jill teaches Interior Design classes at 3 local junior colleges. When she isn’t teaching, she spends time with her family camping, traveling and snow skiing. They are truly grateful to have a passionate family whom has all engaged themselves in various Rooms of Hope projects including her 76 year old dad.
LAUREN AGUSTIN
Lauren Agustin was born and raised in the East Bay and graduated from the Academy of Art University with her B.F.A in Interior Architecture and Design. Lauren has always had a passion for design and creativity and loves using her skills and talents where most needed. Having a God-daughter with a rare heart condition, she saw how important it was for children to have a space of their own where they can feel comfortable and safe. Lauren is excited to be working with children who need a place all their own. She considers it a real treasure to be able to combine the two things she loves most, design and children.
MARY NALEWAY
Mary Naleway is a professional home stager and loves design. Her family’s background with Rooms of Hope is extensive. Her husband is a top fundraising beard grower in the First Street Alhouse’s annual Beard Growing Contest, supporting Rooms of Hope, for three years in a row. Both she and her husband Jeff are passionate about this mission because it is personal. Their daughter has gone through two open heart surgeries and Mary has been the recipient of an organ transplant. They know first-hand what it means to be faced with a life-threatening illness and what it means to be surrounded by their community. Mary has been the designer on many dream room makeovers and it is a “volunteer’s dream come true to participate in these builds and support this worthy cause.” Mary lives with her husband, Jeff, in Mountain House and has one daughter close by.
NANCYANN ST-LAURENT
NancyAnn St-Laurent grew up in Quebec, Canada, moving every 2-3 years. Every move provided a new opportunity to decorate her bedroom spurring a lifetime learning of interior design and painting skills. She enjoyed a fulfilling career in software engineering where she got to use her creativity and her love of logic. While raising her daughter and son, Nancy was always volunteering through diverse organizations. Once her children left for college, God decided to challenge her with a different path and she found herself needing to re-enter the workforce. She decided to go back to her roots and completed a certificate in Interior Design. While pursuing her degree, she was introduced to ROH as a co-designer. Seeing the positive impact firsthand, she fell in love with the ROH cause and its people. NancyAnn has established a successful private interior design business, focusing mainly on space planning and remodels. Nancy’s life has become very full with her fiancé Tino Calzada, his 5 young boys and a new grandson in Texas! She has taken full retirement to passionately enjoy her ROH involvement, golf, camping, gardening, cooking with wine and her backyard chickens in Pleasanton!
NAOMIE WERT
Naomie Wert has been fascinated with the beauty of her surroundings her entire life. She loves how art, fashion, architecture, and nature affect our emotions, and as such, felt compelled to complete her formal education at CSU Chico, where she graduated with a BA in Interior Design. She then moved to the East Bay to pursue a career in the design industry. Naomie has been fortunate enough to work with and learn from the very talented designers of J. Hettinger Interiors in Danville for the last seven years. She specializes in residential design, doing everything from paint consultations to designing homes from the ground up. She is motivated by lifestyle, practicality and the craving for luxury! Although design is her first love, she loves children, as well as being active in her community. “I love designing and if I can use my talents to design a space that exceeds the expectations of a child… It will melt my heart and be my honor.”
NIKI CARDILLO
Niki Cardillo was born and raised in Walnut Creek. She attended CSU Chico and graduated in 2006 with a BA in Interior Design. Niki’s passion to help improve the lives of others on a day-to-day basis inspired her to pursue a career as an interior designer. She realized her dream by honing her design skills on residential, corporate, healthcare and institutional projects throughout the West Coast. Over the past 4 years, Niki changed her career path and is now a manufactures representative in the local Architects & Designers community. Her focus is working hand-in-hand as a product specialist with Architects & Designers in Northern California, for Studio by 3form. Missing the creativity that comes with being a designer, Niki joined the Rooms of Hope team and is thrilled to be designing again. She loves the process and working one-on-one with these amazing children to make their dreams rooms come to life! “I feel so lucky and honored to be apart of such a dynamic team that is touching so many lives with design. Rooms of Hope is a pillar in this community and represents the main reason I choose to pursue interior design.”
ROBIN SHAPIRO
Robin Shapiro is an Interior Designer from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in Early Childhood Development and spent many years working closely with children. She lives in Livermore with her husband, and close by are her two daughters, son-and-law, and three amazing grandsons. She has always had a love for design, and in 2000 she launched her company, Panache Interior Design. Since then she has been creating beautiful homes and businesses for her clients. After attending her first Rooms of Hope Gala, she immediately knew she wanted to support this special organization. It brought her such joy to be involved in this wonderful charity for seriously ill children and work alongside an amazing team. She looks forward to her next collaboration with Rooms of Hope.
SHELLEY HAM
Shelley Ham brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit work as well as a sincere love for design and children, especially those with unique needs. She has been involved with nonprofit organizations such as Make-A-Wish, The Lymphoma & Leukemia Society, and the US Olympic Committee. Shelley’s background in community service and being the President of a firm serving the needs of more than 50,000 clients with her staff of over 400, coupled with her need to make a difference, is why she created Rooms of Hope! Shelley is finishing a second degree in interior design, and after creating a room makeover for a very special young lady with an aggressive form of cancer, she knew that this was her calling. “Seeing her eyes filled with hope when she saw her room for the first time was so gratifying. I’m inspired to do better in the world when I see how brave and fearless these children are in their world. Designing dream bedrooms is simply my way of creating spaces for these very special people that I’m privileged to know. It is truly an honor.”
SUSAN STADLER
Susan Stadler was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. Her love of travel, led her to a career as a flight attendant with USAIR for 7 years. She fell in love with Northern California and now resides in Danville, with her wonderful husband, her son, daughter and 4 dogs. Being the daughter of a successful artist, art and design were always a passion for Susan. With no training, she started her own design business and quickly had a thriving career. She has done residential, commercial, decorative painting, complete rebuilds with several contractors & staging. She retired a few years back, but when she went to her first ROH Gala, it brought her to tears and she knew she had to be a part of our team. “Thank you so much Shelley for introducing me to ROH. I am so proud to be able to help for such an amazing cause”.