FA23

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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]