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.

2016-2017 Speakers

2024-2025 Speakers

Speaker: Sean Hehir ’96, Managing Partner, President & CEO – Trinity Investments

Sean Hehir is a Principal and Managing Partner of Trinity Investments. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Investments and Trinity Fund Advisors LLC. Sean oversees the firms’ investment activities, including sourcing and executing investment opportunities, formulating investment strategies, and structuring acquisitions and dispositions. Prior to joining Trinity, Sean worked for […]

Speaker: David Kong, Founder & Principal – DEI Advisors

David Kong is the Founder and Principal of DEI Advisors, an Arizona non-profit organization. David retired as President and CEO of BWH Hotels at the end of 2021. He led the company to unprecedented growth, transforming it and expanding its portfolio from one brand to 18 distinct brands in every chain scale segment and achieving […]

Speaker: Jordan Andino ’10, Chef, Restauranteur & TV Personality – Carriage House NYC, Flip Sigi, Fork Knife

Born in Toronto, Canada, Jordan Andino began his foray into the culinary world at the young age of 9 learning under his father. After moving to Manhattan Beach, CA, he traded in his surfboard to work in fine dining kitchens and attended the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration to grow his business acumen. Andino […]

Speaker: Elie Maalouf, CEO – IHG Hotels & Resorts

Elie Maalouf has been Chief Executive Officer of IHG Hotels & Resorts since July 2023. Elie joined IHG as Americas CEO in February 2015. Under his leadership, the region’s estate has grown from approximately 3,700 hotels to more than 4,350. Elie led the delivery of record profits, oversaw the launch of new brands and formats, […]

Speaker: Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, Chairman & Founder – Nolan Capital Inc.

Peter Nolan founded Nolan Capital, Inc. in 2014 as the holding company for his family office to make long term investments in growth oriented companies whose hospitality-related holdings include Fresh Brothers Pizza, a Los Angeles-based chain of 22 pizza delivery stores, and ExplorUS, which manages concessions for 60 U.S. parks under licensing agreements with the […]

Speaker: Alissa Hendel ’07, GVP, North America & Owner Advocacy

Alissa joined Oracle in 2021 and currently oversees all sales efforts for Oracle Hospitality in North America. This includes new business, account management, and global hotel chains. In addition, she oversees the global owner advocacy team, which is responsible for the relationships with hotel owners and management companies, including influential private equity groups, REITs, and […]

Speaker: Jim Butler ’96, CFO – London Gatwick Airport, Managing Director – Global Infrastructure Partners

Jim Butler was appointed Gatwick’s Chief Financial Officer in September 2021 and was simultaneously named a Managing Director at Global Infrastructure Partners. He is responsible for all aspects of London Gatwick Airport’s financial management and leads and provides strategic direction to a team covering accounting and controls, financial planning, tax, treasury and investor relations, helping […]

Speaker: Dr. Ruth Browne, President & CEO – Ronald McDonald House, New York

Dr. Ruth C. Browne is the President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY). In her current role at RMH-NY, Dr. Bowne is at the helm of driving the strategic direction of the organization while building and leading high performing executive teams. Prior to joining RMH-NY, Dr. Browne was the CEO of the […]

Speaker: Stephanie Perrone Goldstein ’01, Principal – Deloitte Consulting LLP

Stephanie Perrone Goldstein is Deloitte Consulting’s Data, Analytics and AI leader for the Travel and Hospitality Industry. Stephanie, who graduated from Cornell’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration in 2001, has served the Travel and Hospitality Industry in various capacities throughout her career, always centered on data and analytics. Stephanie blends her background of travel and […]

Speakers: Lisa and Stephanie Karvellas: Co-Owners, CEO & COO – Cedar Lake Estates

Stephanie attended Clemson University where she studied management and, more importantly, the elements of successful events. After college, she moved to NYC to work for one of Manhattan’s high-end wedding planners. Stephanie’s sharp attention to detail and knack for diffusing issues before they arise inspired her to bring these talents to fruition. After graduating summa […]

Speaker: Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury – Marriott International

Tina Edmundson is President, Luxury at Marriott International. Tina is a savvy brand architect whose 25+ year career has been driven by a desire to inspire travel. She is known for her ability to successfully launch and transform brands, craft exceptional customer experiences, and capitalize on strategic business opportunities. Tina is responsible for overseeing all […]

Speaker: Jessica Rosenberg ’13, Principal & Founder – Sawyer Realty Partners

Jessica Rosenberg joined Sawyer Realty Partners in July 2018. She, alongside her father, is responsible for the acquisition and financing of all asset classes within the company’s portfolio. She is also responsible for procuring and structuring both debt and equity for all transactions. Jessica manages equity partnerships for Sawyer’s ventures and asset manages the hospitality […]

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 selling fresh lemon garlic hummus made with nothing but the highest quality, freshest ingredients. Over the last ten years under Chris’ leadership, Ithaca Hummus has grown […]

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 selling a few startups varying from marketing to music and events to fashion, his latest adventure with co-founder Julien Zaal “The Avocado Show” is a […]

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 TTH clients. With nearly 25 years of experience at leading investment banking and consulting firms, Jeanelle’s passion is to help clients with strategic planning around […]

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 Food Network. Now Dine with Dana can be seen in Bon Appetit, Wine Enthusiast and Food & Wine Magazine. Her culinary style is inspired by life as a first-generation […]

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 responsible for the growth of Dream Vacations’ land vacation sales and bookings. He is bringing increased focus to building stronger relationships with land suppliers; expanding […]

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, Jennifer oversees supplier strategy and performance on a national and regional level for the many family-owned brands in Southern Glazer’s portfolio. Her responsibilities include strategic […]

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 creation for hotel owners, operators and shareholders. This strategy focuses on strengthening a diverse portfolio of differentiated brands, building scale in key markets, creating lifetime […]

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 asset management, acquisitions, development, and operations management. Ruben has over 10 years of professional experience that spans finance, real estate, and hospitality management. His journey […]

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 the USA. As a member of the Travel, Hospitality & Services Executive for Deloitte NSE and Middle East he is responsible for shaping the Hospitality […]

Speaker: Will Guidara ’01, NYT Bestselling Author, Host, Co-Producer

Will Guidara is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Unreasonable Hospitality. He is the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which under his leadership was named the Best Restaurant in the World. He is the host of The Welcome Conference, a Co-Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series The Bear, and is a recipient […]

Speaker: Christina Tosi, Founder & CEO

Christina Tosi is the rule-breaking, award-winning chef and founder of Milk Bar, named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World in 2022, whose inventive and nostalgic treats have fueled a national dessert empire with locations across the USA, a robust e-commerce platform, and products in grocery stores nationwide. Guided by classic American […]

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 in various positions with increasing responsibility across the Blackstone portfolio, serving first as the General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer at G6 Hospitality, the parent […]

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 2013 as CFO, was responsible for capital raising and strategic partnerships, and launched the company’s enterprise sales offering. In 2015, Michael became Vice Chairman of […]

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 of leading the human resources function as Chief Human Resources Officer for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Prior to joining Hyatt, Malaika led the human resources functions […]

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 management. She also oversees Marriott’s global real estate development, design, and operations services functions. Linnartz was previously Group President of Consumer Operations, Technology, and Emerging […]

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 mission to empower people to build generational wealth, she creates opportunities for individuals, families, and entities to obtain passive income by investing in residential, multifamily, […]

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 across the travel industry, she oversees the go-to-market strategy for Google’s Travel Products. Prior to Google, Heggie was a founding team member of JetBlue Ventures, […]

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 Investor Relations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation (“Hyatt”). He also served as Hyatt’s Interim Chief Financial Officer from April 2015 until March 2016. Prior to joining […]

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 executing branded events and partnerships. She currently leads the lifestyle and luxury brands at Hyatt Hotels Corp – including Park Hyatt, Thompson, Alila, Andaz, Hyatt […]

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 nostalgic treats have fueled a national dessert empire with locations across the USA, a robust e-commerce platform, and products in grocery stores nationwide. Guided by […]

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 Nice. Under his leadership, Eleven Madison Park received numerous accolades, including four stars from the New York Times, three Michelin stars, and, in 2017, was […]

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 Air Force Special Operations. He met his wife, Anne Marie, while opening famed restaurateur Danny Meyer’s fifth restaurant, Blue Smoke, in Manhattan. After stints at […]

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 well as developing new products and features for Airbnb’s host community. Prior to Airbnb, Powell was at Disney for more than 15 years where she […]

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 well as the popular midscale and boutique brands, including 25hours, Novotel, and Mercure, among others. Based in New York City, Cadwell oversees Accor’s portfolio of […]

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. Hentschel oversees HotelPlanner’s family of brands which include its flagship site HotelPlanner.com and its business-focused site Meetings.com. He is a third-generation hotelier and a graduate […]

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 producer of PBS-TV’s Simply Ming. In 2022, Chef Ming became Iron Chef Ming Tsai as he joined the cast of 5 world-class chefs in the […]

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 Seven Seas Cruises. During his tenure, Mr. Del Rio has successfully led NCLH in delivering industry-leading financial results, providing an unparalleled guest experience and expanding […]

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 2000. She received her Ph.D. from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College and her M.P.S. degree from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. She […]

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 worth clients (individuals, multi-generational families, family offices, private equity institutions, endowments and foundations), to provide strategic wealth management advice across investment management, tax and estate […]

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, Adam serves on Deloitte’s US Board of Directors. As a Board member Adam is responsible for governance and oversight of the U.S. firm. In his […]

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 three global regions: Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Additionally, Gilda leads the group’s Global Hotel Desk, a specialized team of cross-border investment sales professionals based […]

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 content for both ATK television segments and ATK Social Media. She also works to boost ATK’s diversity efforts and promote a culture of inclusion with […]

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 Resources for Barteca Restaurant Group (www.barcelonawinebar.com) (www.bartaco.com) scaling the business into a multi-unit, multi-state locations. She is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for […]

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 position, Hoplamazian served as president of The Pritzker Organization (TPO), the principal financial and investment adviser for Pritzker family business interests. In January 2021, Hoplamazian […]

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 of the 350-acre resort. Born in St. Thomas, USVI and raised in St. Croix, Thomas-Henry has returned home to the region, becoming the first Caribbean […]

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 worked at the Statler Hotel. He started as a bellman and worked his way up to the Director of Guest Services via HLDP. In 2014, […]

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. Estis Green spent twelve years as managing partner of The Estis Group. A prolific writer, Estis Green is co-author of several groundbreaking studies including Distribution […]

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, Caribbean, and Western Europe today. Prior to assuming the responsibilities of President and CEO, Fields was Chief Investment Officer responsible for all aspects of business […]

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 growth efforts, sourcing and executing on acquisitions, new developments, and third-party management engagements across the United States and Caribbean. Nala joined the company in 2014 […]

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 equity, public equity, credit, venture capital, and real estate in North America, Europe and Asia. Ms. Belaman is part of the EMEA Investor Relations team […]

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 George Washington University in 2013. Kevin began his nine-year NFL career when he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders. Kevin spent seven seasons with the […]

2020-2021 Speakers

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

Kate Walsh is the Dimond Family 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 received her Ph.D. from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College and her M.P.S. degree from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. […]

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 works closely with CEO Lindsey Ueberroth on financial planning and talent management, supports the development of other strategic areas of focus within the organization, and […]

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 its businesses. Chip works directly with CEO Danny Meyer, his Executive-level colleagues, USHG’s Board of Directors, and USHG’s Operations leadership teams. Chip joined the USHG […]

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 this new role as of March 2021, Frazier will guide the mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute to educate, develop, connect, and position African American […]

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 than 12,000 guest rooms located across the United States. Navin has a longstanding passion for and history of supporting education, having established the Dimond Fellows […]

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 Harvard University (1977). In addition to Loews, he serves on the Board of Directors of CNA Financial Corporation. He is active at Harvard Business School […]

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 a 12-week accelerator program offered biannually to enable Hawaiʻi product entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Additionally, she is president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, […]

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 CEO & Founder of Aptamind Partners a Private Client Advisory that is a trusted advisor to ambitious leaders in Governments, Family Offices, Private UHNW Investors […]

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, 4, 2019, Warren shared his thoughts on the opportunity to serve in this role: “I am absolutely honored to become the sixth Commissioner of the […]

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 of large pension funds and institutional investors, including Equitable Real Estate (largest pension fund advisor and investment management firm at the time), GMACCM (one of […]

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 ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®, deluxe New World Hotels & Resorts, and KHOS™, a dynamic global business hotel brand. Ms. Cheng is also the executive […]

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 developed thousands of luxury condominiums, villas and landed homes in Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore. In 2014, Michael added more than 500ha of beach-front land, […]

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. Chandnani is actively involved in the firm’s strategy in terms of identifying new project opportunities and forging strategic relationships. He also works closely with the […]

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 hospitality professionals, developing innovative and inspiring leaders, and fostering a fun and loving workplace culture. Tuesday first found her passion for hospitality as a server […]

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 Firm’s private investment funds and co-investments in real estate and energy infrastructure. She also led the largest disposition in the firm’s history for a portfolio […]

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 portfolio continues to expand throughout New York City and other key markets across the nation. Since its founding in 1989, Extell has developed more than […]

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 of Cornell University’s Hotel School. Not only does she run operations for Serenbe Development and Serenbe Real Estate, she is the President of The Inn […]

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 of ice cream (in England we only had three). She grew to have a love of the American spirit of ‘let’s have a go and […]

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 with a particular emphasis on strategic relationships, capital transactions, asset management, and acquisitions. Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in […]

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 capacities for Hilton hotels in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas. Lewin joined Hyatt hotels in 1987 as the General Manager […]

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 other private equity companies as well as high net-worth families in the hospitality industry. Barry has 2 business partners, John Ceriale and Andrew Katz. Growing […]

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 valuable asset for a company requiring business turnaround planning, operational expense strategy, or crisis media advisory. His broad areas of expertise include operations, finance, development, […]

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. He has been a member of IHG’s Executive Committee since April 2011 and served as Chief Commercial Officer for four years before being appointed CEO. […]

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, Beijing, Cape Town, Delhi, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Paris, Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Tokyo, Zagreb, Zurich […]

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 ingredients and cult-like following around the world. Shake Shack was born in 2001 as a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park. […]

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 pivotal role in setting and executing the strategic vision at RLJ. Ms. Hale has held progressively senior roles at RLJ – she was appointed to […]

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 products, retail and apparel, she has worked with large multinational and small, domestic corporations. In 2013, Guerin joined World Finer Foods, with more than 60 […]

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 Co-Chairman of Kokua Hospitality, LLC, which was formed in 2005 as a property management firm specializing in turnarounds. Kline is recognized as a proactive investor […]

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 talent to underwrite the company’s reputation, success and growth through global talent acquisition and talent management practices. Heather has been with Four Seasons for more […]

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 BPG. Mr. Pollin leads the firms’ hotel acquisition, development and capital markets efforts. The Buccini/Pollin Group has acquired and developed over $5 billion of properties […]

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 region. He is co-founder and board member of Stordalen Foundation, owner and CEO of Strawberry, Chairman of the Board of Strawberry Property, Strawberry Capital and […]

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 setting AHLA’s strategic vision and championing the industry’s voice on Capitol Hill, within the Administration, in the press and beyond. During her tenure Lugar has […]

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 and was born in Hong Kong on 25 March. She grew up in Macau and at the age of 16, she moved to the US […]

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 Sunstone in 1985, he took the company public in 1995 with 10 hotels and a total enterprise value of $75 million with revenues of $30 […]

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 open locations in Atlanta, GA & 2 under construction (1 in Atlanta and 1 in Washington, DC) & plans for national expansion. The concept is […]

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 management of the Firm’s restaurant and multi-unit investments. Roark Capital is a Private Equity Firm based in Atlanta, GA with $11 billion of capital under […]

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 in hospitality assets, maintains acquisitions relationships with major investment banks and institutional private equity firms, and asset manages or advises on over 10,000 hotel rooms […]

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. M. Statler Professor for one year beginning July 1, 2016, the first day of operations for the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. An associate […]

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 resort’s name. This 538-room hotel, modeled after the Villa Medici in Rome, re-invests an unparalleled minimum of $30 million each year in the property’s capital […]

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 purchased the Hyatt House motel adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport. Family-owned Hyatt Hotel Corporation has grown to an international hotel management and ownership company […]

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, artificial preservatives, or trans-fats. Ms. Susan Sarich, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SusieCakes, recalls childhood memories of coming home from school to enjoy her […]

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 3,026 hotel rooms, an 110,000 square-foot casino; retail and restaurant venues; a spa and fitness facility; a 3,200-seat theater; meeting and convention space; and Marquee […]

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 Carey Watermark Investors 2 Inc., both publicly-registered Real Estate Investment Trusts. His activities are focused on complex assets that benefit from demographic shifts, strategic marketing, […]

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 day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, […]

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 grown to become one of the 20 largest airlines in the world with 300 aircrafts. Air Canada continues to grow year over year with new […]

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 in Europe’s design hotel movement and made her name synonymous with visionary concepts and creative executions with refinement, artistic flair, and authenticity. Ms. Leo is […]

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 numerous levels. He is a recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Arthur Landstreet Award,” and has also been honored with Hotelier of the […]

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 Salt & Wind, an online food travel site. Much of Ms. Mollenkamp’s influence comes from her home state of California and Brady Bunch-esc family. She […]

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 notable achievements include creating an award-winning, 22-concept food and beverage program for Wynn Resort and Casino and partnering in several successful Las Vegas ventures like […]

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 a leading multi-operator real estate investment trust. The Company owns 42 properties, which are upscale, full-service hotels, totaling approximately 10,700 guest rooms in 11 markets […]

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 member for Christel House International, Mr. Geoff Ballotti is a prime example of leadership in the hospitality industry. His position at Wyndham includes responsibility for […]

2016-2017 Speakers

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

Speaker: Daniel Schwartz, Dyson ’01, Chief Executive Officer

Restaurant Brands International, the third-largest fast food operator in the world, was formed by the merger between Burger King and Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain. Daniel Schwartz was named CEO in 2013 at the age of 32 with no prior experience in the F&B industry. After graduating from Cornell’s College of Agriculture […]

Speaker: Suzanne Heidelberger ’90, Senior Vice President, Global Real Estate & Workplace Enablement

At American Express, Suzanne Heidelberger is charged with managing over 200 properties in over 41 countries, while providing a safe and productive workplace for AmEx employees. Her group leads all facilities management, design and construction, and real estate strategy functions. Prior to joining American Express, Ms. Heidelberger spent several years at Deutsche Bank, where she […]

Speaker: Tyler Henritze, Senior Managing Director

Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms that seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies they invest in, and the communities in which they work. Blackstone’s Real Estate business manages over $101bn of equity capital and invests across the globe with approximately 400 professionals. Tyler Henrizte […]

Speaker: Mr. Matthew Upchurch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Virtuoso is a global network of travel advisors, suppliers, and others connected to the travel and leisure industry. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 380 agencies with more than 11,400 elite travel specialists in 30 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as over 1,700 of […]

Speaker: Mr. Matthew Upchurch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Speaker: Lindsey Ueberroth, President and Chief Executive Officer

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel company, providing sales, marketing, distribution, quality assurance, and guest loyalty solutions to a portfolio of more than 650 hotels, resorts, residences, and small hotel groups across 85 countries. A world traveler having visited more than 100 countries, Ms. Lindsey Ueberroth has channeled her background into […]

Speaker: Marco Benvenuti, MMH ’05, Chief Analytics and Product Officer; Co-Founder

Duetto is a cloud-based Revenue Strategy application that allows hotels to move beyond traditional revenue management by providing new, actionable insights into demand. Duetto’s Open Pricing strategy allows hotels to capture more revenue on each and every booking by yielding each segment, channel and room type independently for maximum profitability. With it’s newest feature, Dynamic […]

Speaker: Daniel Halpern, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Jackmont Hospitality is an award-winning, minority-owned foodservice management company and one of the fastest growing TGI Friday’s franchisees. In addition, the firm oversees on-site foodservice management contracts for airport concessions, healthcare foodservice, college and university foodservice, and school district dining programs. CEO and Co-founder Daniel Halpern is not just the guy who signs the checks […]

Speaker: Matthew Stevens, President and Chief Executive Officer

Founded in 1977, The Bay Club Company (“Bay Club”) is the owner and operator of twenty five+ locations across multiple active lifestyle campuses throughout California. Bay Club welcomes more than 90,000 members with innovations such as the 77 Social Club, Connect business suites and Sanctuary Spas along with world-class sport activities and numerous resort-level amenities. […]

Speaker: Mr. Victor Woo, Executive Vice President

Speaker: Jeff Zalaznick, A&S ’05, Restaurateur

Jeff Zalaznick is a restaurateur and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Major Food Group (MFG). MFG is a New York based restaurant and hospitality company founded in 2010 by Jeff, and his partners, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi. MFG represents a new breed of restaurant group with the aim to conceptualize and […]

Speaker: Stefan Leser, Group Chief Executive Officer

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The company was founded in 1997 with the aim to become a hospitality industry leader through establishing a world class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. Building on this success, […]

Speaker: Mark Tamis ’88, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 46-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous […]

Speaker: Mia Kyricos, MMH ’03, President and Founder

Kyricos & Associates (K&A) is a boutique advisory firm providing strategic guidance to wellness-driven hospitality, tourism and lifestyle companies on a global scale. With over 20 years of experience, Mia Kyricos is a globally-respected business leader and a frequent speaker and contributing writer to hospitality and wellness-related publications and associations. Her work and expertise has […]

2024-2025 Speakers