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.
  • 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?

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

2024 Members include:

  • Kathryn Alioto, Sales Manager | Raymond Management
  • Susana Chan, Reservations Manager | IHG – Regent Santa Monica Beach
  • Megan Chase, Sales & Event Manager | The Otesaga Resort Hotel
  • Kayla Church, Sales Team Lead | Sojern
  • Katlynne Eastin, Solutions Consultant Sr Manager, Global Strategic Accounts | SiteMinder
  • Haley Farmer, Sales Manager | Parks Hospitality
  • Danielle Fournier, Sales Manager | Hilton Denver Inverness
  • Tayla Hull, Convention Sales Manager | ARIA Resort & Casino
  • Max Ingerman, Convention Sales Manager | MGM Resorts International
  • Jenna Keegan, Regional Director of Sales | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Victoria Maino-McDermott, Area Director of Sales | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Jake Moreland, Global Sales Manager | Hyatt Hotels Corporation
  • Mandy Murray, Area Director of Sales | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Megan O’Neill, Convention Sales Manager | MGM Grand | MGM Resorts International
  • Cecilia Quinones, National Sales Manager | Bellagio Resort and Casino
  • Angelique Sanchez, Senior Sales Manager | New York LaGuardia Marriott
  • Kate Swantak, Kessler Sales Manager | Kessler Collection
  • Kristina Taylor, Regional Sales Manager | Lighthouse, formally OTA Insight
  • Tre Wilke IV, Sales Manager | Evans Hotels

Rising MARKETING Leaders Council

2024 Members include:

  • Madison Allen, Sr Digital Marketing Manager | Cogwheel Marketing
  • Hannah Brown, CHDM, CHBA, Senior Marketing Activation Consultant | BWH Hotels
  • Steven Chrappa, Director of eCommerce | Hard Rock Hotel New York
  • Lauren Foster, Field Marketing Associate Manager | IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Abbie Gillespie, CHDM, Field Marketing Manager | Sonesta Hotels
  • Hannah Kuharik, Web & Digital Manager | Ocean Casino Resort
  • Luisa Laurelli, Account Director | Paradise Advertising
  • Sarah Merrell, Field Marketing Manager | IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Kiley Merrill, Strategy Lead | Spherical
  • Emma Moore, CHDM, Corporate Manager of Digital Marketing | LBA Hospitality
  • Jennifer Padilla, Account Director | The Point PR
  • Meredith Pittman, CHMD, Digital Marketing Manager | Remington Hotels
  • Jessie Radcliff, Director of Revenue Management & Marketing | Perdido Beach Resort
  • Jessica Ratliff, CHDM, Digital Marketing Manager | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Natasha Roque, Manager, MDS Guide (Marriott Digital Services, Customer Success) | Marriott International
  • Savannah Stone, Senior Account Manager | Google
  • Cristina Suris, CHDM, Corporate Marketing Manager | Kessler Collection
  • Teaonca White, Manager of Marketing & Digital Strategy | Remington Hospitality

Rising REVENUE OPTIMIZATION Leaders Council

2024 Members include:

  • Sanana Alizada, Revenue Manager | Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
  • Taylor Baca, CRME, CHDM, Corporate Director of Revenue Management | Balboa Bay Resort
  • Jonathan Cleveland, Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Remington Hospitality
  • Ryan Combs, Area Director of Revenue Management | Hyatt
  • Hrushikesh Datar, CRME, Decision Analytics Manager | ZS Associates
  • Abby Epstein, Customer Strategy & Success Manager – Hospitality | Revenue Analytics
  • Morgan Gahagan, Revenue Manager | Loews Hotels
  • Jesslyn Gillespie, CRME, Cluster Revenue Manager | AutoCamp
  • Charity Hanke, Corporate Revenue Strategy Manager | Oxford Hotel Collection
  • Rachel Kremnitzer, Regional Revenue Manager | Hilton
  • Emmy McDaniel, Revenue Manager | Loews Hotels
  • Christoph McLaughlin, Vice President of Asset Management Strategy | Ashford Inc.
  • Chelsey Ong, CHDM, CRME, Director of Revenue Management | Noble House Hotels and Resorts
  • Dev Patel, Co-Founder, CRO | Aatmos Management
  • Emily Peck, Director of Revenue, Owned and Operated Assets | KOA
  • Jess Robinson, CRME, Senior Director of Revenue Management | The Resort at Pelican Hill
  • Miyuki Sasada, Senior Account Manager | Booking.com
  • Kari Speckmeyer, CRME, Director of Revenue Strategy | Paséa Hotel & Spa
  • Justin Strodtman, Corporate Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Crescent Hotels & Resorts
  • Amanda Waite, CRME, Market Director of Revenue Strategy | Sonesta
  • Laura Walters, CRME, Director of Revenue Strategy | Sonesta