• Credit: Henry Roy

Nine Brains is a hospitality-focused investment and advisory firm devoted to elevating the experience of hotel, resort, and private club real estate.

The Nine Brains team, jointly its principals, advisors, and strategic partners, form a best-in-class collective that draw from their deep experience in lifestyle hospitality investment and development, real estate sales and membership operations, and creative/design services.

“Give experience your energy and like any living process it divides and grows. The deliberate wish to "live" takes over from the day-to-day accident formerly called life.”
– Mark Greif

INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Nine Brains targets existing value-add hotels and resorts in destination markets and special-situation development opportunities. We look to apply our unique creative and management experience to generate superior risk-adjusted returns, with a primary focus in Hawaii.

“It takes forming a relationship with a place to imagine a future there. And, nothing generates brand love like moving the human spirit. That is what transforms a guest into an advocate, creating enduring value for a venture, outpacing any other predictor of a project’s success.”

ADVISORY

Nine Brains advises select experientially-driven companies and real estate projects. Our team can address specific challenges including project strategy & asset management, project envisioning & placemaking, and property lifestyle activation & membership operations.

“Why do people go to these destinations in the first place? The adventure thing has gotten twisted, it’s a relative term. Meaningful, memorable experiences are different. They build an affinity that only such an experience can create. And they turn a repeat guest into a perspective real estate buyer.”

TEAM

James Evans
Managing Partner
Thibert Lussiaa
Managing Partner

ADVISORS

Sam Ainslie
Executive Advisor
Camilo Echeverri
Creative Director

PROJECTS

Nine Brain’s select investment and past experience includes:

INVESTMENTS

Pacific 19 is a Hawaii travel brand launched in 2023, with its flagship hotel located in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Designed for independent travelers, the brand focuses on delivering unique Hawaii experiences that go beyond the typical island clichés.

Nine Brains led the investment, development, and brand creation for Pacific 19, guiding the project from concept to launch. With additional locations planned across Hawaii, the brand continues to celebrate the islands' authentic culture while offering elevated and adventurous stays.

PAST EXPERIENCE

Nine Brains partner's past experience includes iconic projects such as Kukio Golf and Beach Club, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kona Village - a Rosewood Resort, Kohanaiki Private Club Community, Makena Golf & Beach Club, and the Surf Ranch, Lemoore.

Get in Touch With Us
© Nine Brains 2025

James Evans, Managing Partner

James Evans loves the perspective and learning that come from exploring places, and he sees an opportunity to shift the hospitality industry in a direction that’s better for people and that drives economic success. “I believe creative leverage is the most powerful type of leverage today—more so than financial or other historical systems of creating opportunity, because if we capture someone’s heart, that generates more long term value than any sales tactic can.”

Evans has an international perspective—shaped in part by his travels, time spent living in Colombia, and working extensively in Hawaii—and a background that bridges brand creation, hospitality, development, and institutional investment.

Before founding Nine Brains, Evans was vice president at Kennedy Wilson (NSE: KW) where he oversaw the US retail portfolio and asset managed the firm's resort and private club developments on the Big Island of Hawaii. Previously, Evans was the chief operating officer of a Colombia-based hotel and development firm that included The Charlee hotel brand.

Thibert Lussiaa, Managing Partner

“What is your purpose, what is your strength?” Adventure, accomplishment, connection with nature—Thibert Lussiaa creates the intangible magic that open peoples hearts to the unknown and fuels their souls. Born in Tahiti and recognized as one of the top paddlers in the world, Lussiaa’s love of the ocean and outdoor sports has informed his wide-ranging hospitality roles at premier private club projects. His remarkably motivating influence extends heartfelt connection and a culture of wellness to staff and guests, building bonds to places and people. Lussiaa’s world is one of magical experiences.

As a Managing Partner at Nine Brains, Thibert is critical to developing the firm's overall strategy and growth. Furthermore, Thibert leverages his decades of placemaking and operations background throughout project's lifecycles to create differentiated experiences from design through check-in.

Sam Ainslie, Executive Advisor

When those in the know think of the exemplar of luxury real estate development, Sam Ainslie surely comes to mind. His 25-year tenure in the development industry includes deep experience in resorts, golf courses, and residential real estate, in some of the world’s finest locations.

A world traveler and triathlete, Ainslie believes that the essence of what people want in their lives is meaningful, challenging, experiences. Despite his history of professional accomplishment, Ainslie reflects: “It is play, more than anything else, that has shaped my life.”

Camilo Echeverri, Creative Director

Camilo Echeverri is a creative director who bridges the worlds of art, fashion, and real estate through innovative storytelling and design. As a partner at Asunto Studio, he specializes in crafting visual narratives and brand identities that resonate across industries.

With a background in architecture and over two decades of experience in fashion and photography, Camilo brings a unique ability to align creative vision with strategic objectives. His work spans from reimagining spaces to developing compelling brand stories, offering a holistic approach to experiential design.