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 HSMAI 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 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)
  • Minimum 3 years’ full-time experience in a hospitality sales, marketing, and/or revenue optimization position
  • Currently employed full-time in a hospitality sales, marketing, and/or revenue optimization (i.e. hotel, hotel company, or an industry partner that serves the hotel sector)
  • Emerging leader in field of expertise (is not restricted to people managers)

Commitment Requirements (for selected council members): 

  • Maintain an active HSMAI Membership
  • Commit to serving a 2-year term
  • Commit to volunteering 1-2 hours per month (including one-hour monthly virtual council calls & small-group task-team initiatives)
  • Make every effort to attend a one-day in-person council meeting each year (held in conjunction with an HSMAI Americas Conference – council members are responsible for their own travel expenses)

Interested in applying to one of these councils?

The annual call for applications will be released Sep 2026. Please note, the selection process is competitive and a limited number of seats will be appointed for the 2-year term (2027–2028). For questions or information, contact Renee Blessing, HSMAI Program Manager at renee.blessing@hsmai.org

 

Rising SALES Leaders Council

2026 Members include (as of 4/23/26):

  • Jacob Alcala, Event Manager | Hilton | Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
  • Sydnee Berger, Senior Sales Manager | Sojern
  • Sierra Bonello, Convention Sales Manager | The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
  • Zachary Chin, Dual Housing Coordinator | Pyramid Global Hospitality
  • Katie De Crescenzo, Sales Manager | Desert Hospitality Management/SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tucson
  • Brett Hoffman, CRMA, Senior Group Sales Manager | The Wall Street Hotel
  • Gabrielle Kantarovich, National Senior Sales Manager | Placemakr
  • Connor Low, Executive Meeting Sales Manager | MGM Resorts Int
  • Lauren Martin, Executive Meetings Sales Manager | Bellagio | MGM Resorts
  • Ravin Maurer, Regional Director of Sales | InnVentures
  • Delaney Murphy, CHSP,CMP, National Sales Manager | Omni PGA Frisco Resort
  • Nicole Quessenberry, Sales Manager | Noble House Hotels & Resorts
  • Will Rommelfanger, Account Executive | Lighthouse
  • Caleb Shifflett, Senior Sales Manager | Pyramid Global Hospitality
  • Kayla Smith, Catering Sales Manager | Parks Hospitality
  • Jillian Zemba, Cater & Service Manager | Desert Hospitality Management

Rising MARKETING Leaders Council

2026 Members include (as of 4/23/26):

  • Aime Alexander, CHDM, Senior Manager, Marriott Digital Services | Marriott International
  • Christina Bignotti, Field Marketing Manager | IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Abby Bostwick, Senior Marketing Manager | Perdido Beach Resort
  • Kennedy Bramer, Senior Content Specialist | IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Chloe Brendlinger, Sales & Marketing Manager | Spherical
  • Kyndal Brizendine, Area Marketing Specialist | Pyramid Global Hospitality
  • Shannon Burdine, Corporate Director, Digital Marketing | Sage Hospitality Group
  • Sydney Eason, Marketing Manager | The Tides Inn
  • Juan Flores, CHDM, Senior Manager of Marketing and Digital | Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Lerah Foreman, CHDM, Senior Marketing Manager | Heritage Hotels & Resorts
  • Jocelyn Giambrone, Director of Strategy | 1AX Consulting
  • Hannah Grossman, Associate Brand Manager | Sonesta International Hotels
  • Cassidy Hintz, Social Media Manager | Explore St. Louis
  • Jonathan Kreifels, Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager | Sojern
  • Sydney Long, Senior Marketing Manager | Hilton Hotels
  • Katie Marcussen, CHDM, Regional Marketing Manager | Kampgrounds of America
  • Dylan Massari, Regional Marketing Manager | EOS Hospitality
  • Anneleise McEvoy, Social Media Manager | Remington Hospitality
  • Amy Mobley, Director of Brand and Experience | Belle Noble Entertainment Group, LLC
  • Melissa Olson, Marketing Manager | Equinox Hotel New York
  • Luke Stackow, CHDM, eCommerce & Digital Marketing Manager | HHM Hotels
  • Kaitie Stutz, Social Media Manager | First Hospitality
  • Olivia Tull, Director or Marketing | Sheraton San Diego Resort
  • Marissa Velasco, Senior Project Manager | Ideas Collide
  • Olivia Zinser, Marketing Manager | Hotel del Coronado

Rising REVENUE OPTIMIZATION Leaders Council

2026 Members include (as of 4/23/26):

  • Trent Arduino, Revenue Manager | Caesars Entertainment
  • Derek Boyle, CRME, Director of Account Management – Americas | IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Alyssa Cowick, Director of Revenue Management | Highgate Hotels
  • Katherine Dick, Enterprise Program Manager | Lighthouse
  • Cameron Farmer, Revenue Analyst | Hawkins Hospitality
  • Megan Fratangeli, Revenue Manager | Omni Hotels & Resorts
  • Elizabeth Hamrick, Area Revenue Manager | First Hospitality
  • Benjamin Holman, Assistant Director, Revenue Management | Fairmont Royal York
  • Hannah Jackson, Area Director of Revenue | CoralTree Hospitality
  • Florencia Laber, Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Remington Hotels
  • William Lee, Senior Market Manager | Priceline Agoda
  • Shelby Livingston, CRMA, Group Rooms and Revenue Coordinator | Rosewood Miramar Beach
  • Daniel McGarry, Regional Director of Revenue Management | Stonebridge Companies
  • Aleksandra Nowobilska, Area Revenue Analyst | Sage Hospitality Group
  • Inaki Ortiz, CRMA, Revenue Manager | Hyatt
  • Junyi (Silvia) Ouyang, CRME, Revenue Analyst | Venetian Resort Las Vegas
  • Nick Pogue, Customer Success Manager | Revenue Analytics
  • Alaina Smith, Asst Director, Revenue Management | Omni Hotels & Resorts: Omni Shoreham Hotel
  • Tristin Sornson, Area Director of Revenue | CoralTree Residence Collection
  • Meghan Tobin, Area Director of Revenue Strategy | Dragonfly Strategists
  • Gytis Vilimavicius, CRME, Key Account Manager – Global Accounts | Booking.com
  • Corey Wilkinson, CRME, OAK Regional Revenue Manager | Kampgrounds of America, inc.