Share
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Dec. 11, 2025) – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has announced its 2025 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds honorees. These leaders will be recognized in a special ceremony preceding the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration on February 18, 2026, at the New York Marriott Marquis.
The HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds awards honor outstanding individuals in sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution within hospitality, travel, and tourism. Selected by a panel of industry leaders from HSMAI’s Board of Directors and membership, nominees are evaluated on their leadership, innovation, and measurable impact over the past 18 months. This year’s honorees exemplify exceptional creativity and strategic excellence through groundbreaking initiatives that have advanced the commercial disciplines.
“This year’s Top 25 honorees exemplify the innovation and leadership that drive our industry forward,” said Brian Hicks, President and CEO of HSMAI. “Their success stories showcase the importance of cultivating commercial talent—and reflect the very best of hospitality’s ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive.”
The 2025 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds are:
- Samir Bhatnagar, AVP, Commercial Strategy, Ashford
- Kelly Bridwell, Director, Brand Strategy, Peregrine Hospitality
- Timothy Bush, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Lake Charles
- A. Clark, Vice President of AI, Miles Partnership
- Christina Davis, SVP of Product & Operations, Tambourine
- Eric Ettlin, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Aimbridge Hospitality
- Dan Fernandez, Vice President, Digital Marketing & Strategy, Concord Hospitality
- Chris Hardy, Vice President of Commercial Strategy, Parks Hospitality Group
- Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer, Hospitality Solutions
- Nick Horgan, Chief Commercial Officer, Amaze Insights
- Amy Huff, Vice President of Sales, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- John Jimenez, VP of E-Commerce and Revenue, Noble Investment Group
- Leslie Kaminski, Vice President – Global Sales, CoralTree Hospitality
- Amanda Moore, Vice President, Digital Strategy & Innovation, Preferred Travel Group
- Abhijit Patel, Vice President, Revenue Management and Commercial Strategy, Choice Hotels International
- Crystal Pernici, Global Director, New Ventures, IDeaS – A SAS Company
- Charles Pollard, Director, Performance Reporting & Analytics, Marriott Digital Services
- Tanya Pratt, GVP, Oracle Hospitality Strategy and Product Management, Oracle Hospitality
- Travis Rank, Senior Director, Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotels
- Janette Roush, SVP, Innovation & Chief AI Officer, Brand USA
- Natasha Scott, SVP, Americas Commercial & Revenue Management, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Sine Scott, Director, Field Marketing, Omni Hotels
- Jim Smith, Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Distribution, Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC
- TJ Walz, SVP, Data Strategy & Analytics, MMGY Global
- Jason Zvatora, Vice President – Commercial Strategy APAC, Outrigger Resorts and Hotels
For more information on the HSMAI Adrian Awards and the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds program, visit: americas.hsmai.org/career-development/awards-recognition/hsmai-top-25
###
Media Contact
MMGY
hsmaipr@mmgy.com
About HSMAI
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through annual programs such as the Commercial Strategy Conference and Adrian Awards. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with over 30 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.