Rising Leaders Councils

HSMAI’s Rising Leaders Councils are 2-year term advocacy groups, comprised of up-and-coming professionals working in a mix of hospitality roles (e.g., hotel on-property, regional, or corporate, DMO, DMC, Management Company, brand or partner, etc.).

Rising Sales Leader Council | Rising Marketing Leader Council | Rising Revenue Optimization Leader Council

The Rising Leaders Council is part of the HSMAI’s respective Advisory Board’s work to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders by providing this unique opportunity for emerging professionals to advance their skill sets, shape the future of HSMAI, network with peers, and contribute to the industry and the Advisory Board via their insights and thought leadership.

Program Benefits: 

  • Mentorship Program – Rising Leaders have an opportunity to connect with Advisory Board members for 1:1 mentoring to help build their professional network and advance their skill sets.  The program is designed on a matching process that best aligns professional development goals and leadership competencies.
  • Monthly Council Meetings – Engage monthly with industry experts to learn about their leadership journey and exchange insights with peers on best practices for trending topics, aiming to create a comprehensive POV (Point of View) article for the HSMAI community.
  • Annual In-Person Meetings – In conjunction with HSMAI’s conferences, Rising Leaders have the opportunity to meet in-person twice a year to connect with peers for candid, relevant, and actionable conversations. Rising Leaders receive reduced registration rates for these live education events.
  • Exclusive Networking – Exclusive access to a variety of opportunities, events, and activities designed to foster professional growth, networking connections, and collaboration with peers and industry leaders.
  • Leadership Development – Access to professional development resources, such as Gallup CliftonStrengths Assessment gifted to all Rising Leaders by HSMAI Foundation.

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • 32 years of age or younger (as of December 31 of year applying)
  • Emerging leader in field of expertise (is not restricted to people managers)
  • Minimum 3 years in a hospitality sales, marketing, and/or revenue optimization position
  • Currently employed full-time in a hospitality sales, marketing, and/or revenue optimization

Interested in applying to one of these councils?

Call for applications are released annually in the fall. Limited seats are appointed for the 2-year term. For questions or additional information, contact Renee Blessing at renee.blessing@hsmai.org

 

Rising SALES Leaders Council

2025 Members include:

  • Jacob Alcala, Event Manager | Hilton – Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
  • Susana Chan, Reservations Manager | IHG – Regent Santa Monica Beach
  • Kayla Church, Manager, Sales | Sojern
  • Katie De Crescenzo, Sales Manager | Desert Hospitality Management/SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tucson
  • Katlynne Eastin, Sr Mgr Solutions Consulting, Strategic Accounts | SiteMinder Hospitality Corporation
  • Kaan Eren, Executive Meetings Manager | Destination DC
  • Haley Farmer, Sales Manager | Parks Hospitality
  • Max Ingerman, Sales Manager | MGM Grand
  • Gabrielle Kantarovich, National Senior Sales Manager | Placemakr
  • Victoria Maino-McDermott, CHA, Area Director of Sales | Aimbridge
  • Anja Marcusiu, Business Development Manager | Oak View Group
  • Danicca Mendez, Sales Manager | Raymond Management Company
  • Delaney Murphy, CHSP, CMP, National Sales Manager | Omni PGA Frisco Resort
  • Amanda Murray, CRMA, Area Director of Sales | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Megan O’Neill, Convention Sales Manager | MGM Grand
  • Nicole Quessenberry, Sales & Catering Coordinator | Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
  • Angelique Rodas, Assistant Area Director of Sales | The Westin Flushing LaGuardia Airport New York
  • Kristina Taylor, Regional Sales Manager | Lighthouse
  • Tre Wilke IV, Sales Manager | Evans Hotel
  • Jillian Zemba, Cater & Service Manager | Desert Hospitality Management

Rising MARKETING Leaders Council

2025 Members include:

  • Aime Alexander, CHDM, Senior Manager | Marriott Digital Services Marriott International
  • Madison Allen, Senior Digital Marketing Manager | Cogwheel Marketing
  • Kennedy Bramer. Senior Content Specialist | IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Chloe Brendlinger, Sales & Marketing Manager | Spherical
  • Hannah Brown, CHDM, CHBA, Senior Marketing Activation Consultant | BWH Hotels
  • Dylan Budd. Regional Digital Manager | Atrium Hospitality
  • Steven Chrappa, Director of E-Commerce | Hard Rock Hotel New York
  • Sydney Eason, Founder | Eason Branding
  • Lerah Foreman, CHDM, Regional Digital Manager | Atrium Hospitality
  • Jocelyn Giambrone, Corporate Manager of Marketing & eCommerce | Schulte Hospitality Group
  • Cassidy Hintz, Social Media Manager | Explore St. Louis
  • Jonathan Kreifels, Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager | Sojern
  • Luisa Laurelli, Account Director | Madden Media
  • Sydney Long, Senior Marketing Manager | Davidson Hospitality
  • Katie Marcussen, CHDM, Regional Marketing Manager | Kampgrounds of America
  • Kiley Merrill, Global Partner Marketing Strategist | Virtuoso
  • Amy Mobley, Marketing Manager | Omni Louisville Hotel
  • Emma Moore, CHDM, Corporate Manager of Digital Marketing | LBA Hospitality
  • Jennifer Padilla, Account Director | The Point Public Relations
  • Jessica Ratliff, CHDM, Manager, Marketing & Digital | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Emily Rossin, Area Director of Marketing | Makeready
  • Luke Stackow, CHDM, eCommerce & Digital Marketing Manager | HHM Hotels
  • Savannah Stone, Senior Account Manager | Google
  • Abby Tait, Marketing Manager | Perdido Beach Resort
  • Marissa Velasco, Project Manager | Ideas Collide
  • Teaonca White, CHDM, Manager of Marketing and Digital Strategy | Remington Hospitality

Rising REVENUE OPTIMIZATION Leaders Council

2025 Members include:

  • Sanana Alizada, Revenue Manager | Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
  • Derek Boyle, CRME, Senior Account Management Director | IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Ashley Choquette, Area Director of Revenue Management | Noble House Hotels
  • Ryan Combs, Area Director of Revenue | Hyatt Hotels
  • Alyssa Cowick, Revenue Manager | Highgate
  • Hrushikesh Datar, CRME, Decision Analytics Manager | ZS
  • Abby Epstein, Product Owner | Revenue Analytics
  • Morgan Gahagan, Revenue Manager | Loews Kansas City Hotel
  • Elizabeth Hamrick, Area Revenue Manager | First Hospitality
  • Rachel Kremnitzer, Senior Manager – Project & Change Management | Hilton
  • Florencia Laber, Revenue Manager | RevMax – Inhabit
  • Emmy McDaniel, Revenue Manager | Loews Hotels
  • Daniel McGarry, Area Revenue Director | CoralTree Hospitality
  • Christoph McLaughlin, VP Asset Management Strategy | Ashford
  • Aleksandra Nowobilska, Area Revenue Analyst | Sage Hospitality Group
  • Chelsey Ong, CRME, CHDM, Area Director of Revenue Management | Pacific Hospitality Group
  • Kishan Patel, CHA, Director of Revenue | Innovative Investments
  • Emily Peck, CRME, Corporate Director of Revenue, Owned and Operated Assets | Kampgrounds of America, Inc
  • Zoe Pfeiffer, Director of Revenue Management | InterContinental Indianapolis
  • Jordan Rinker, CRMA, Revenue Assistant | Skytop Lodge
  • Jessica Robinson, CRME, Senior Director of Revenue Management | Resort at Pelican Hill
  • Katherine Ruck, Business Intelligence Enterprise Program Manager | Lighthouse
  • Miyuki Sasada, Senior Account Manager | Booking.com
  • Justin Strodtman, Corporate Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Crescent Hotels & Resorts
  • Meghan Tobin, Manager, Revenue Strategy – Franchise | Sonesta International Hotels
  • Laura Walters, CRME, Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Dragonfly Strategists