Meet the Panelists
Nelly Augustyn
Chipman Design Architecture, Senior Managing Director
In her twelve years with Chipman Design Architecture, Nelly Augustyn has acted as both Project Manager as well as Project Architect for numerous retail and restaurant accounts. Running national expansion accounts for Ulta Beauty, Potbelly Sandwich Works and Bally Total Fitness. Recent projects include the highly-acclaimed Ulta Beauty Flagship locations in Chicago, IL and Manhattan, NY.
Her responsibilities include skilled coordination with the project’s landlord, consultant and contractor as well as survey site visits, preparation of construction documents for permit and construction administration. She has also taken the leadership role in the firm’s mentoring program by acting as an ARE licensure mentor. With more than fourteen years of experience in the industry, Nelly’s primary objectives are building strong client relationships, conceptualizing their needs and delivering a beautiful space.
Nelly is a recipient of the 2018 ICSC CenterBuild “Retail Leaders Under 40” award. Her award nomination focused on Chipman Design’s utilization of 3D gaming technology to create fully immersive client experiences for the Ulta Flagship Stores in both Chicago and Manhattan. Taking great pride in having helped grow the Ulta Beauty brand over the years through their extensive national expansion program, the company’s position aligns with her philosophy of empowering women in the workforce and body-positive messaging.
Nelly graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and is a licensed Architect in the State of Illinois.
Asha Baskaran
Target, Lead Program Manager, Architecture & Store Design
Asha Baskaran, lead program manager of Target Architecture, Store Design is focused on planning, resourcing and delivering remodels, new stores and re-branding projects for the Store Design Team. She also leads the Target Sustainable Building Council for developing model stores to showcase innovations in sustainable and circular design, materials and technologies. Asha’s 18 years at Target has seen her as an accomplished leader in finance, global operations and architecture. She advocates for ‘diversity with purpose’ as she has a strong belief that will bring the best solution forward. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Carlson School in Minnesota and in Architecture from Penn State University.
Dan Lester
Clayco , Director of Field Diversity, Inclusion & Culture
Dan Lester focuses primarily on endeavors that effect the community as a whole. Dan has the ability to help people navigate and successfully find solutions to the divest and inclusion issues they see at their companies. He believes people are our best and most important assets and he knows having a successful and diverse team is what makes a business thrive. Show a team an equitable culture and they will bring innovative leadership and ideas that transform a business.
Dan is driven by his passion to find ways to encourage and push adults and youth to thrive and adapt in all environments. He is active across many organizations and speaks frequently on a regional and national scale using personal experiences, relevant case studies and laughter to reach a wide range of audiences.
Dan received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Management Information Systems with a Minor in Information Science & Technology from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
