Past DDLS Speakers

Nearly 100 Years of Lectures with Distinguished Industry Experts

Meet several dozen industry experts who have joined us for the School of Hotel Administration’s Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series (DDLS). Unveil years of inspired dialogue and student engagement with premier industry experts. Browse past speakers by year below.

2023-2024 Speakers

2023-2024 Speakers

Speaker: Chris Kirby '15, Founder & CEO - Ithaca Hummus

Chris Kirby is a trained chef and the founder and CEO of Ithaca Hummus. In 2013 Chris left his restaurant career and opened a stand at the Ithaca Farmers Market […]

Speaker: Ron Simpson, Founder - The Avocado Show

“You can speak anything into existence.“ Creative serial entrepreneur Ron Simpson [36] discovered this life philosophy at quite a young age and never ever looked back. After setting up and […]

Speaker: Jeanelle Johnson, Principal & Lead Partner - PwC

Jeanelle Johnson is a Principal, Lead Client Partner and Travel, Transportation and Hospitality (TTH) sector Co-Leader at PwC, focused on client service, industry perspective and research for the firm’s leading […]

Speaker: Dana Beninati '15, Founder - Dine with Dana

Dana Beninati is a James Beard award-winning producer, educator and writer. After years teaching celebrity chefs how to cook on camera, she has turned her kitchen into a classroom for […]

Speaker: Sean Tolkin '13, Vice President, Land Strategy & Market Performance - World Travel Holdings

Travel is in Sean’s DNA and he has been with the World Travel Holdings’ family his entire career. As the Vice President of Land Strategy and Network Performance, Sean is […]

Speaker: Jennifer Chaplin Tolkin, Vice President, Family-Owned Brands - Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Jennifer Chaplin Tolkin is Vice President, Family-Owned Brands and East Region Trade Development Director for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol. In this role, […]

Speaker: Keith Barr '92, Advisor - IHG Hotels & Resorts

Keith served as Chief Executive Officer of IHG® before stepping down in June of 2023. He was responsible for implementing IHG’s strategy for high-quality growth and generating industry leading value […]

Speaker: Ruben Ortega Jr. '13, Co-Founder & Principal - Spark Hudson Advisors LLC

Ruben is Co-Founder and Principal of Spark Hudson where he primarily provides strategic hotel advisory services for family offices, investors, developers, and operators. The firm’s core capabilities flex across hotel […]

Speaker: Andreas Scriven '00, Lead Partner - Deloitte UK

Andreas is the Lead Partner – Hospitality & Leisure based in our London office. He has extensive advisory and M&A experience across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and […]

Speaker: Will Guidara '01, Co-Founder - Make it Nice

Will Guidara is the former co-owner of Make It Nice, a hospitality group that included Eleven Madison Park, the NoMad restaurants, Davies and Brook at the Claridges Hotel, and Made […]

Speaker: Christina Tosi, Founder & CEO - Milk Bar

Christina Tosi is the rule-breaking, award-winning chef and founder of Milk Bar. She was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World in 2022, whose inventive and […]

Speaker: Ama Romaine, Executive Vice President & General Counsel - Progress Residential

Ama Romaine is the Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Progress Residential, the single-family rental company owned by private equity firm Pretium Partners. Before joining Progress, Ms. Romaine served […]

Speaker: Michael Gross '97, CEO - Knotel

Since April 2021, Michael Gross has been the CEO of Knotel, a leading amenitized, flexible office provider in North America and Europe. Prior to that, Michael joined WeWork in March […]

Speaker: Malaika Myers, Chief Human Resources Officer - Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Malaika Myers has had a 25+ year career in Human Resources, working in the chemical, consumer products, and hospitality industries for public and private companies. She currently has the honor […]

2022-2023 Speakers

Speaker: Stephanie Linnartz, President Marriott International, Inc.

Stephanie Linnartz is the president of Marriott International, Inc. She is responsible for developing and executing all aspects of the company’s global consumer strategies, including brand, marketing, sales, and revenue […]

Speaker: Tracy L. Prigmore, Founder & Managing Partner TLTsolutions

Tracy L. Prigmore is an award-winning executive and the Founder of TLTsolutions, a real estate investment and development firm that provides unparalleled access and insight to alternative investments. With the […]

Speaker: Christina Heggie ‘10, Travel Product Go-To-Market Strategy Google

Christina Heggie has worked at Google for over three years in several roles that focus on connecting Google to the travel industry. As an experienced professional with extensive operational expertise […]

Speaker: Atish Shah ’94, MMH ‘97, EVP, CFO & Treasurer Xenia Hotels

Atish Shah has been Xenia’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer since April 2016. Shah previously served as Senior Vice President – Strategy, Financial Planning & Analysis, and […]

Speaker: Crystal Thomas ‘08, Vice President & Global Brand Leader Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Crystal Vinisse Thomas is a brand management and marketing leader with over10-year-long international experience driving brand innovation and operational excellence, crafting memorable guest experiences, creating global brand marketing campaigns, and […]

Speaker: Christina Tosi, Founder & CEO Milk Bar

Christina Tosi is the rule-breaking, award-winning chef and founder of Milk Bar. She was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World in 2022, whose inventive and […]

Speaker: Will Guidara ’01, Co-Owner Make it Nice

Will Guidara is the former co-owner of Make It Nice, a hospitality group that included Eleven Madison Park, the NoMad restaurants, Davies and Brook at the Claridges Hotel, and Made […]

Speaker: Mark Canlis ’97 & Brian Canlis ‘01, Co-Owners Canlis Restaurant

Mark Canlis The second of three sons, Mark grew up in a restaurant family. He joined Canlis in 2003 after graduating from Cornell University and serving as a Captain in […]

Speaker: Catherine Powell, Global Head of Hosting Airbnb

Catherine Powell leads Airbnb’s global integrated hosting team, which includes Airbnb Homes and Experiences, and delivers best-in-class, quality hosting. Her responsibilities include overseeing the host insights and research team, as […]

Speaker: Ben Cadwell ‘04, Chief Operating Officer Accor

Ben Cadwell is Chief Operating Officer for North & Central America at Accor, whose portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands, such as Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel Legend, and SO Sofitel, as […]

Speaker: Tim Hentschel ‘01, Co-Founder & CEO HotelPlanner & Meetings.com

Tim Hentschel is the Co-Founder and CEO of HotelPlanner, a leading travel technology company that combines proprietary artificial intelligence capabilities and a 24/7 global gig-based reservations and customer service network. […]

Speaker: Ming Tsai MPS ’89, Founder, President, and Chef, MingsBings and Blue Dragon

Chef Ming Tsai is a James Beard & Emmy Award-Winning chef, philanthropist, TV personality, and entrepreneur. He is the creator of award-winning restaurants, author of five cookbooks, and current host/executive […]

Speaker: Frank J. Del Rio, President/CEO Norwegian Cruise Line

Mr. Del Rio is President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH), a leading global cruise operator which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent […]

2021-2022 Speakers

Speaker: Kate Walsh, Ph.D.,Dean and E.M. Statler Professor

Kate Walsh is Dean of the School of Hotel Administration and E. M. Statler Professor. A professor of management, Dr. Walsh has been a member of the School’s faculty since […]

Speaker: Kristen McNamara ’10, Executive Director - J.P. Morgan & Ryan McNamara ’10, Managing Director - The Plasencia Group

Kristen McNamara ’10 is an Executive Director in the Chicago office of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In her role, Kristen and her team manage relationships with $100 million+ net […]

Speaker: Adam Weissenberg ’85, Vice Chairman & Chief Global Officer Audit & Assurance, Asia Pacific Leader - Deloitte & Touche LLP

Adam Weissenberg is Vice Chairman and Chief Global Officer for Deloitte’s US Audit & Assurance practice, as well as the Asia Pacific Leader for the US Global Office. In addition, […]

Speaker: Gilda Perez-Alvarado ’02, Global Chief Executive Officer - JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group

Gilda Perez-Alvarado is the Global Chief Executive Officer of JLL Hotels & Hospitality, where she is responsible for investment sales, debt and equity placement, strategic advisory and asset management across […]

Speaker: Elle Simone Scott, Founder & CEO - SheChef Inc.

Elle Simone is Executive Editor/Inclusion Leader at America’s Test Kitchen. She is also a food stylist for Cook’s Country, an on-screen test cook for America’s Test Kitchen, and host of “The Walk-In” podcast. Elle creates media […]

Speaker: Kutina Ruhumbika, Vice President of Human Resources - Major Food Group

Kutina Ruhumbika is a well-rounded full-service restaurant and hospitality executive with experience within large corporate environments and smaller independent operations. Her past accomplishments include being the Vice President of Human […]

Speaker: Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer - Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Mark S. Hoplamazian was appointed to Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s board of directors in November 2006 and subsequently named president and chief executive officer in December 2006. Prior to his present […]

Speaker: Yvette Thomas-Henry, Regional Vice President & General Manager - Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Yvette Thomas-Henry is Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Nevis. In this role, Thomas-Henry becomes the first female and first Caribbean native to take the helm […]

Speaker: Dan Leyva ’14, Chief Wing Officer - Wings Over

Dan Leyva was born and raised near San Francisco, CA. In 2010, Dan moved to Ithaca to attend the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. While at Cornell, Dan […]

Speaker: Cindy Estis Green ’79, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder - Kalibri Labs

Cindy Estis Green’s career began in corporate marketing and senior operations roles for Hilton International. After founding the data mining consultancy, Driving Revenue, and selling it to Pegasus Solutions, Ms. […]

Speaker: Warren Fields ’85, President & CEO - Pyramid Hotel Group

Warren Fields, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pyramid Hotel Group, has grown the Bostonbased management firm from three hotels in 1999 to over 120 hotels in the United States, […]

Speaker: Nala Holmes ’12, Vice President, Acquisitions - Pyramid Hotel Group

Nala Holmes serves as Vice President of Acquisitions at Pyramid Hotel Group, a leading hotel management company based in Boston. In her role, Nala is responsible for the company’s strategic […]

Speaker: Cecile Belaman ’91, Managing Director - Bain Capital

Cécile Belaman is a Managing Director with Bain Capital, one of the world’s leading alternative investments firm with $130 billion in assets under management. Bain Capital is active in private […]

Speaker: Kevin Boothe’05, Director, Football Development - National Football League

Kevin was born in New York City and was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in 2005 and earned his MBA from […]

2020-2021 Speakers

Kate Walsh, Ph.D.,Dean and E.M. Statler Professor, MPS ‘90

Kate Walsh is Dean of the Nolan School and E. M. Statler Professor. A professor of management, Dr. Walsh has been a member of the School’s faculty since 2000. She […]

Speaker: Michelle Woodley '89, President

Michelle Woodley is President of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. In this role, she oversees multiple departments across the company including sales, marketing, IT, revenue management, and customer relations. She also […]

Speaker: Chip Wade, President

As President of Union Square Hospitality Group, Chip is responsible for further enhancing and evolving the company’s culture, driving an even greater experience for guests, and bolstering the profitability of […]

Speaker: Evan Frazier '92, President & CEO

Evan Frazier is the president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute, an organization aimed at cultivating African American executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities across America. In […]

Speaker: Navin Dimond, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Navin Dimond is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Stonebridge Companies, a privately owned, innovative hotel owner, operator and developer with a diverse portfolio of 64 hotels and more […]

Speaker: Andrew Tisch '71, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee

Andrew H. Tisch is Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Loews Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree from Cornell University (1971) and an M.B.A. from […]

Speaker: Melialani James '00, Co-Founder & President

Meli James is a cofounder at Mana Up, a Hawai’i-based initiative designed to build the state’s next generation of CEOs in the retail and food product industry. Mana Up hosts […]

Speaker: Aradhana Khowala, Chief Executive Officer & Founder

Aradhana Khowala is globally identified as an authority on the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and has two decades of experience across 70+ countries in four continents. She is currently […]

Speaker: Kevin Warren, Commissioner

Kevin Warren serves as the sixth Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and the first African American Commissioner to lead an Autonomy Five conference. After being named Commissioner on June, […]

Speaker: Tammy Jones '87, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Jones has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Over her entire career, Ms. Jones has invested in and loaned CRE assets on behalf […]

Speaker: Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer

Sonia Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, leading a team of seasoned industry professionals to spearhead the Group’s regional and international expansion. The company comprises of […]

Speaker: Michael Dang MMH '07, Chairman & Founder

Michael is Chairman of Anpha Holdings and Founder of M.I.K Corporation – two leading luxury product trading, real estate development and consultancy firms in Vietnam. The companies & affiliates successfully […]

2019-2020 Speakers

Speaker: Mr. Raj Chandnani '95, Vice President

Raj Chandnani oversees strategy for WATG. He has a wide range of hospitality industry expertise focusing on diverse segments, including consumer trends, travel and tourism, gaming, timeshare, residential and spas. […]

Speaker: Ms. Tuesday Baptiste MMH '15, Director of People and Culture

Tuesday Baptiste is the Director of People and Culture at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. She is responsible for driving a 5-star employee experience, recruiting and retaining the best and brightest […]

Speaker: Ms. Lanhee Yung '97, Global Head Capital Raising & Investor Relations

Lanhee Yung is a Managing Director and heads Starwood Capital’s Fundraising and Investor Relations Group globally. In this role, she is responsible for raising capital globally on behalf of the […]

Speaker: Mr. Sush Torgalkar '99, President & CEO

Sush Torgalkar is President and Chief Executive Officer of Extell Development Company, a full-service, globally-acclaimed developer of residential, office, retail and hospitality properties. Operating primarily in Manhattan, the company’s impressive […]

Speaker: Ms. Garnie Nygren '05, Director of Operations

Garnie Nygren, the eldest daughter of Founder Steve Nygren is the COO for Serenbe. She grew up in Atlanta and Chattahoochee Hills, attended Woodward Academy and is a 1995 graduate […]

Speaker: Ms. Helen Smith '81 , Chief Customer Experience Officer

Helen Smith is British but moved to America for two years for the first time as a nine year old and was overwhelmed by Baskin Robbins and their 31 flavours […]

Speaker: M. Jay H. Shah '90, Chief Executive Officer

Jay H. Shah is Hersha Hospitality Trust’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of Hersha Hospitality Trust’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Shah is involved in all areas of the business […]

Speaker: Mr. Jerry Lewin '76, Senior Vice President of Field Operations

Jerry Lewin has worked in hospitality industry for forty-three years and spending the last thirty years with Hyatt hotels. Before joining Hyatt, Lewin served for ten years in various management […]

Speaker: Mr. Barry Lewin '85, Partner

Prospect Hotel Advisors is the exclusive advisor for hospitality investments to the Blackstone Group, the largest owner of hospitality assets in the world. Prospect also advises a select group of […]

Speaker: Mr. Larry Lewin '74, President

Larry is an accomplished Senior Executive and Strategist with demonstrated success spanning international gaming, finance, and hospitality. Leveraging extensive experience with property development and high-performance management structures, Larry is a […]

Speaker: Mr. Keith Barr '92, Chief Executive Officer

Keith has been Chief Executive Officer of IHG® since July 2017. He has spent more than 25 years working in the hospitality industry, having started his career in hotel operations. […]

Speaker: Mr. Anthony Capuano '87, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Development Officer

Anthony Capuano is Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer. He is responsible for the global development of all Marriott lodging brands and supervises offices in Bangkok, Barcelona, […]

Speaker: Mr. Randy Garutti '97, Chief Executive Officer

Randy Garutti is the CEO of Shake Shack, a critically acclaimed, modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its community gathering experience, commitment to taking care of its team, premium […]

Speaker: Ms. Leslie Hale, President and Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Hale is the President and Chief Executive Officer of RLJ Lodging Trust, a leading hotel real estate investment trust. Since joining RLJ in 2005, Ms. Hale has played a […]

2018-2019 Speakers

Speaker: Ms. Susan Guerin '83, President & Chief Executive Officer

A respected business leader, Guerin is known for her ability to drive change and improve profitability while supporting top line growth. With a depth of international experience, specifically in consumer […]

Speaker: Mr. Robert D. Kline '84, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Robert D. Kline ’84 is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, a private equity investment firm formed in 2002 and focused on the lodging sector; and […]

Speaker: Ms. Heather Jacobs '94, Senior Vice President, People and Culture

Heather Jacobs is Senior Vice President, People and Culture for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Heather’s role is to ensure that the company continues to have a robust pipeline of […]

Speaker: Mr. Dave Pollin '90, Co-President & Founder

Dave Pollin is the Co-Founder and President of The Buccini/Pollin Group (“BPG”), headquartered in Washington, DC. He also serves as Chairman of PM Hotel Group, the hotel management affiliate of […]

Speaker: Mr. Petter A. Stordalen, Chief Executive Officer & Owner

Petter Anker Stordalen is a Norwegian investor, hotel tycoon, property developer and environmentalist. Stordalen has sole proprietorship of Nordic Choice Hotels, one of the largest hotel companies in the Nordic […]

Speaker: Ms. Katherine Lugar, President & Chief Executive Officer

Katherine Lugar is president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the U.S. lodging industry’s largest trade association. In this role, she is responsible for […]

Speaker: Ms. Michelle Ho '05, President & Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Ho is Chief Executive Officer and Developmental Licensee of McDonald’s for Macau, Zhuhai and Zhongshan, China. She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Michelle is the second of four sisters […]

Speaker: Mr. Robert Alter '73, President

Robert Alter, one of the premier hotel investment and management executives in the industry. Mr. Alter is Chairman Emeritus and Founder of Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. (NYSE: SHO). After founding […]

Speaker: Ms. Allison Satter Hill '93, MBA '14, President & Chief Executive Officer

Allison Satter Hill currently serves as the President & CEO of The Local Pizzaiolo is a start-up fast-casual restaurant concept & company designed for fast & agile incubation, with 2 […]

Speaker: Mr. Geoff Hill '92, Managing Director

Geoff Hill joined Roark Capital Group in June of 2009. As a Managing Director at Roark, Geoff serves on the Investment Committee and is involved in the acquisition and portfolio […]

Speaker: Ms. Cheryl Boyer '87, Chief Operating Officer

Cheryl Boyer is the Chief Operating Officer of Fulcrum Hospitality, a boutique operating partner, asset manager, and transaction advisor in the lodging and gaming space. The firm has principal investments […]

2017-2018 Speakers

Speaker: Kate Walsh, Dean

Dr. Kate Walsh was named the seventh dean and E. M. Statler Professor of the School of Hotel Administration on June 16, 2017. She served as interim dean and E. […]

Speaker: Tricia Taylor '95, Senior Vice President and General Manager

One of America’s legendary oceanfront resort destinations, The Breakers was founded in 1896 by industrialist Henry Flagler on the shores of Palm Beach – a unique location that inspired the […]

Speaker: Chuck Floyd, Global President of Operations

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 13 brands and 698 properties in 56 countries. The company was founded in 1957 when Jay Pritzker […]

Speaker: Susan Sarich '91, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

An all-American, home-style bakery offering classic desserts that are baked on-site daily from scratch, SusieCakes aims to “connect through celebration.” All SusieCakes desserts are baked with fresh ingredients without mixes, […]

Speaker: William McBeath, President and Chief Executive Officer

Opened in 2010, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is a trendsetting, luxury resort and casino that has pioneered a new kind of hospitality in the Las Vegas market. It features […]

Speaker: Michael Medzigian '82, Chairman & Managing Partner

Mr. Medzigian is Chairman and Managing Partner of Watermark Capital Partners, LLC, a real estate investment management firm, and President, CEO and a Director of Carey Watermark Investors Inc., and […]

Speaker: Zachary Shapiro '05, Director of Operations Reliability, Integrated Operations Center

American Airlines has been a pioneer in the airline industry since its first flight in 1936. Today, American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per […]

Speaker: Mark Nasr '07, Vice President, Loyalty & eCommerce

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline and carries over 45 million passengers annually. Air Canada’s predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines, had its first flight in 1937 and the company has since […]

Speaker: Grace Leo '77, Chief Executive Officer

As the daughter of a Hong Kong hotelier, Ms. Grace Leo is no stranger to the hospitality industry. With a distinctive style all her own, Ms. Leo stepped out front […]

Speaker: George Markantonis, President and Chief Operating Officer

A lifelong hotelier, Mr. George Markantonis began his career as a front desk agent in South Africa at age 20. In the time since, his efforts have been recognized on […]

Speaker: Aida Mollenkamp '02, Founder

A graduate of the School of Hotel Administration, Ms. Aida Mollenkamp is a food and travel expert on a mission to taste the world. In December of 2014, she founded […]

Speaker: Elizabeth Blau MS '97, Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Elizabeth Blau is credited with transforming Las Vegas’s culinary scene. Her foodservice career, spanning over 23 years, has allowed Ms. Blau to specialize in restaurant planning and development. Her […]

Speaker: Michael Barnello '87, President & Chief Executive Officer

Michael D. Barnello is President and Chief Executive Officer of LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO) and has been with the company since its IPO in 1998. LaSalle Hotel Properties is […]

Speaker: Geoff Ballotti, President & Chief Executive Officer

As the President & Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Hotel Group, Vice Chair of the AHLA board of directors, National Chair of the U.S. Travel Association, and board of director’s […]