Smita Sahoo
Nolan School, 2020
Smita Sahoo is the founder of āśaya DESIGN, a Chicago-based luxury interior architecture and design firm, and āvval, an India-based furniture sourcing and manufacturing company. With over 18 years of experience in architecture, interior design, and environmental psychology, Smita creates holistic spaces that bridge eastern and western design philosophies.
Founded in 2020, āśaya DESIGN specializes in luxury multifamily and hospitality projects. Through āvval, Smita collaborates directly with Indian artisans and manufacturers, ensuring ethical production and cultural authenticity. Her integrated approach advances client brand equity across economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
An active industry leader, Smita serves as co-chair of the Cornell Real Estate Council – Chicago and holds leadership positions with Female Founders in Hospitality, University of Florida Design Advocacy Board, Insightful Collaborative, NAWIC, and PWC.
Anant Wagh
Baker Program, 2020
Anant works on the Multifamily Development team at Banner Real Estate, helping identify and evaluate development sites, managing the underwriting process, ensuring diligence on market and site research, and managing investor and committee communication. Prior to Banner, he worked in Student Housing investments at Up Campus Properties and Investment Research & Portfolio Advisory for institutional clients in the Middle East and Asia. Anant holds an MPRS in Real Estate from Cornell University and has completed the CFA Program. Previously, he earned an MS in Finance from Reading University and a BS in Business from Delhi University.
Upcoming Events
Contact Chapter Leadership
