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.

Participation 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.
  • Task Team Initiatives – Collaborative small groups that focus on projects and initiatives that contribute to HSMAI and hospitality industry as the voice of the next generation of leaders.
  • Annual In-Person Meeting – In conjunction with the council’s respective conference, Rising Leaders meet in-person once 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 – Monthly council discussions on operations, projects, and exchange of insights and best practices on trending industry topics with the goal of producing a POV (Point of View) article or resource to share with all HSMAI members.
  • 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?

Complete this application by 10/18/23.  Limited seats will be appointed for the 2-year term. For questions or additional information, contact Renee Blessing at renee.blessing@hsmai.org

 

Rising SALES Leaders Council

2023 Members include:

  • Kathryn Alioto, Director of Sales, Springhill Suites Madison / Raymond Management
  • Estefania Arevalo, Global Business Development Manager, Leisure, Accor
  • Mackenzie Bennett, Project Services Account Manager, Hotel Engine
  • Sophia Burge, Sales Manager, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts/Rosewood Sand Hill
  • Megan Chase, CMP, SMERF, Sales & Events Manager, The Otesaga Resort Hotel
  • Cecilia Dominguez, National Sales Manager, Bellagio
  • Ashley Edwards, Sr. Director, SMB Sales, Sojern
  • Mike Estrin, Senior Catering Sales Manager, Hyatt Regency Dulles
  • Danielle Fournier, Sales Manager, Hilton Denver Inverness
  • Ksenia Hanlon, Corporate Sales & Events Manager, The Otesaga Resort Hotel
  • Heather Harmeyer, Director of Sales, Greenwood Hospitality/Embassy Suites
  • Tayla Hull, Convention Sales Manager, ARIA Resort & Casino
  • Zoe Katz, Marketing Coordinator, Rosewood Hotel Group
  • Jenna Keegan, Regional Director of Sales, Aimbridge
  • Nicole Lazo, National Sales Manager for the Southeast Market, Terranea Resort
  • Jenna Light, Group Sales Manager, Parks Hospitality Group
  • Sara Maly, CRME, Senior Territory Account Executive, IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Rachel Martin, Director of Sales, Graduate Hotels
  • Jake Moreland, Property Sales Manager, Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotels
  • Max Smith, Sr. Sales Manager, Groups WWS, BWH Hotels
  • Kate Swantak, Sales Manager, Kessler Collection

Rising MARKETING Leaders Council

2023 Members include:

  • Megan Allen, Marketing Manager, Second Wave Marketing
  • Taylor Davis, Vice President of Brand Marketing, AutoCamp
  • Hilary Feutz, CHDM, Director, Sales Marketing, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
  • Laura Grissen, Senior Manager, Customer Success (MDS), Marriott International
  • Emily Hill, Account Manager, Field Marketing, IHG
  • Katie Horner, CHDM, Email Marketing Manager, Red Roof
  • Davis Keeter, CHDM, Leisure Groups Team, BWH Hotels
  • Garrick Lee, Digital Marketing Manager, Oneida Nation Enterprises
  • Michele Marcinick, Director of Event Strategy & Development, Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association
  • Sarah Merrell, Field Marketing Manager, IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Meredith Pittman, CHDM, Digital Marketing Manager, Remington Hotels
  • Kelsey Prince, CHDM, Area Director of Marketing, Pacific Hospitality Group
  • Jessie Radcliff, Director of Revenue Management & Direct Marketing, Perdido Beach Resort
  • Ashley Seier, Director of Marketing, Blue Mountain Resort
  • Bianca Sewake, Social Media Manager, Aqua-Aston Hospitality
  • Jacob Smith, Marketing Project Manager, Oxford Collection
  • Isaiah Tillman, Marketing Specialist, BWH Hotels
  • Jennifer Torres, CHDM, Marketing and Communications Manager, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort

Rising REVENUE OPTIMIZATION Leaders Council

2023 Members include:

  • Matt Acker, CRME, Corporate Manager of Revenue Strategy, Concord Hospitality
  • Taylor Baca, CRME, CHDM, Director of Revenue Management, Balboa Bay Resort
  • Emily Bardin, CRME, Area Director, Revenue Strategy, Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Natalie Fournier, CRME, CHDM, Director of Revenue, Thompson San Antonio
  • Sadie Garside, CRME, Director, Enterprise Solutions, Kalibri Labs
  • Jesslyn Gillespie, CRME, Cluster Revenue Manager, Autocamp
  • Yvonne Gu McDowell, CRME, CHDM, CHBA, Director of Revenue Strategy, Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort
  • Charity Hanke, Corporate Revenue Strategy Manager, Oxford Hotel Collection
  • Haley Maltz, CRME, Director of Revenue Strategy, CoralTree Hospitality
  • Anthony Martely, Sales Leader, Business Intelligence, OTA Insight
  • Cheryl McMaster, MBA, CHA, CRME, Director, Third Party & Commercial Operations, Sonesta International
  • Shelby Neal, Director, Revenue Management, Atrium Hospitality
  • Dev Patel, Owner/VP Revenue, Mission Hospitality
  • Anthony Rose, CRME, Director of Sales, IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Scott Schachter, CRME, Account Manager, Booking.com
  • Emma Scher, Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant, ZS
  • Kari Speckmeyer, CRME, Revenue & Inventory Manager, Terranea Resort
  • Amanda Waite, CRME, Market Director of Revenue Management, Sonesta
  • Danielle Wurtzell, CRME, Area Director of Revenue Strategy, Remington Hotels