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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (Aug. 31, 2026) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Foundation is proud to announce Otabek Akromov, Nicole Gutierrez, Théa Jüllich, and Ana Maria Alfonso Ruiz as the recipients of the 2026 Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant.
The scholarship recognizes emerging hospitality leaders who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing careers in sales, marketing, revenue management, and commercial strategy. The grant provides aspiring professionals with financial support, access to industry thought leadership and events, and a dedicated mentorship experience with a seasoned executive.
Nicole Gutierrez is completing her bachelor’s in hospitality management and master’s degrees in mega events at Florida International University, with graduation expected in 2027. Introduced to HSMAI through her Hospitality Marketing course, she serves as Vice President of FIU’s HSMAI chapter, helping organize events, foster connections between students and hospitality professionals, and create opportunities for her peers to engage with the industry. Nicole also works as a Catering Coordinator at the Biltmore Hotel, where she gains hands-on experience in client relations, sales, and revenue-driven decision-making. Coming from a single-mother household, this scholarship provides meaningful support, allowing her to remain focused on her studies and reinvest in her graduate program.
Théa Jüllich has always been passionate about hospitality, which led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Through her studies, she gained international operational experience in the front office at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. Eager to explore the business side of hospitality, Théa joined ESSEC Business School’s IMHI program, where she developed an interest in asset management and hotel commercial performance, further explored during an internship at BNP Paribas. As a member of the HSMAI Europe Student Council, she has broadened her understanding of sales, revenue management, and commercial strategy. Receiving the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Scholarship is a tremendous honor as she continues to challenge herself and build a career in the industry that has inspired her from the beginning.
Ana Maria Alfonso Ruiz is an international student from Bogotá, Colombia, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management at the University of North Texas Honors College. Before moving to the United States, she built a professional foundation in hotel sales at DoubleTree by Hilton, managing corporate accounts and contributing to commercial strategy — experience that shaped her passion for the business side of hospitality. A first-generation college student, Ana Maria transferred from Dallas College, where she earned Chancellor’s Honor Roll recognition and membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She aspires to build a career in sales and revenue management within the hospitality industry
Each scholarship recipient receives a $2,000 grant to support their academic development, complimentary registration to an HSMAI conference in their region and the opportunity to be paired with an industry leader for mentorship. The program is designed to help students build meaningful connections, gain exposure to the hospitality industry and prepare for careers across sales, marketing, revenue management, distribution and commercial strategy.
“The future of hospitality’s commercial discipline depends on identifying and supporting talented individuals early in their careers,” said Brian Hicks, president and CEO of HSMAI. “These scholarship recipients have already demonstrated an impressive commitment to the industry and a clear passion for its commercial side. We are proud to support their continued education and professional development as they take the next steps toward becoming the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.”
The Mike Dimond Student Career Success Scholarship was established to support and enhance development opportunities for hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy. The scholarship honors the legacy of Mike Dimond, one of the hospitality industry’s most respected marketing executives.
For more information about the HSMAI Foundation and its programs, visit www.hsmaifoundation.org.
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About the HSMAI Foundation
The HSMAI Foundation bridges the gap between workforce development and business growth. We work at the intersection of talent and strategy to ensure that commercial roles in hospitality have the skilled, diverse professionals they need to succeed.
We believe people are hospitality’s greatest asset. That’s why we invest in research, scholarships, and career-building programs that remove barriers to entry, cultivate rising leaders, and strengthen skills at every level of the commercial career path. Our work empowers individuals and equips the industry with the talent it needs to grow.
Because developing people is not a side project. It is the strategy.
To donate or learn more about the Foundation’s work, visit www.hsmaifoundation.org.