Thais brings over 15 years of experience in architecture, design, and project management to her role as Director of Architecture – Restaurants at Core States Group. She specializes in multi-site restaurant programs, prototype development, and high-volume rollouts for national brands, helping clients translate brand standards, operational needs, budgets, and schedules into consistent, executable design solutions.

Thais’ interest in architecture began early. She comes from a family of architects and engineers, and her father owns a small architecture and civil engineering firm in Brazil. Growing up around the industry sparked her interest in the profession, and she later found her niche in fast-paced commercial work, where repeatability, problem-solving, and strong client partnership are critical to successful program delivery.

In her role, Thais leads restaurant architecture programs, supports client relationships, mentors team members, and guides projects from early planning through construction. Her experience across both the consultant and owner sides gives her a strong understanding of the decisions that shape successful restaurant programs. She leads with a program-first mindset, helping teams anticipate challenges early, make informed decisions, and deliver work that supports both individual projects and broader rollout goals.

Thais is especially motivated by the opportunity to help restaurant brands grow. She enjoys seeing projects move from early concept to completed spaces serving customers, and she values the collaboration required to get there. Her approach is grounded in strong relationships, clear communication, and a focus on practical solutions that help clients and project teams move forward with confidence.

Core States Group’s Value of Service resonates most with Thais. She has always viewed architecture as a service profession, rooted in understanding people’s needs, supporting teammates, and finding thoughtful solutions. For Thais, successful leadership means helping clients navigate complexity while providing the guidance and partnership they need to deliver strong outcomes.

Outside of work, Thais enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and visiting amusement parks. She also serves on the Maryland State Board of Architects and is a board member of the Signage Research Foundation.

Education

• Architecture and Urban Planning, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes
• Construction Project Management, USP – Universidade de São Paulo

Affiliations

• The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
• Licensed Architect and Urban Planner, CAU/MG, Brazil