Career Episodes

Dina Winder is EVP of Asset Management at Highgate and President of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) . In this episode, she shares the unexpected path that led her into hospitality, from investment banking and real estate to one of the hotel industry's most influential roles: asset management. Dina explains what asset management means in a hotel context, how asset managers represent ownership interests, and why the role spans everything from investment strategy and underwriting ...

Stuart Greif , Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Forbes Travel Guide , shares how he approaches industry conferences like ALIS with intention, curiosity, and care. He explains how he balances business goals with human connection, why he avoids over-scheduling meetings, and how leaving space for unplanned conversations leads to better relationships and ideas. The conversation also covers rotating events to stay exposed to new communities, avoiding transactional networking, and managing ene...

In this episode, Sarah Eustis , CEO of Main Street Hospitality , shares why having a clear point of view defines effective leadership. Drawing from her early career inside global fashion brands, she explains how leaders build trust by showing up with conviction, articulating rationale, and setting direction instead of reacting to others. See our earlier conversation: From 14-Year-Old Housekeeper to Ralph Lauren to CEO: What I've Learned in Hotel Management and Beyond - Sarah Eustis, Main Street ...

In this episode, Jeremy Wells , principal at Longitude and partner at Flyover Developments , shares more on his recent LinkedIn post where he reflects on his life and career and how it connects to a key shift he made. Jeremy shares how years of trying to look and act the part in creative circles pulled him away from the work he actually wanted to do. He explains how leaning into his roots and his real strengths changed the kinds of opportunities, partners, and projects that started finding him. ...

In this episode, we hear the career journey of Tony Roumph , Managing Director of Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, and the formative leadership lesson that shaped how he leads today. Tony reflects on the moment a former boss gave him the opportunity to fail—and how that trust built confidence, accountability, and long-term growth. He shares how that experience influences his approach to hiring, mentoring, and developing teams in hospitality. This conversation is a reminder that great leaders don...

In this episode, Craig Poole , a three-time Hilton Connie Award winner and AHLA’s General Manager of the Year, shares why it’s time to go back to the basics of hospitality. Craig shares why leadership, presence, knowing your people, and engaging directly with guests still matter more than ever. Drawing on decades of experience, he offers practical reminders for hotel leaders seeking to build stronger teams, deliver better guest experiences, and build more resilient businesses. See more with Crai...

Agnelo Fernandes wanted to work in hospitality so badly that he removed his MBA from his resume just to land an entry-level job in the industry. Today, he's the CEO of Cote Hospitality , and his path there was anything but traditional. In this episode, Agnelo shares the moments that pulled him away from investment banking, why he believes hospitality is actually harder than rocket science or brain surgery ("you're dealing with all senses at their highest alert level"), and the leadership philoso...

In this episode, Craig Poole reflects on how a lifetime in hospitality built the resilience and mindset he’s relied on while fighting cancer. He shares lessons drawn from decades of leadership — gratitude, selflessness, adaptability, and compassion — and explains why hospitality uniquely prepares people to face life’s hardest challenges. Craig also revisits his philosophy of leadership, community, and being “behind” the people you lead, and how that philosophy has taken on deeper meaning through...

Today we’re kicking off a new series with Chet Pipkin, founder of Belkin, who’s now building Desolation Hotel — a hospitality brand rooted in nature, balance, and meaning. In this episode, we get into why he’s doing this work. You’ll hear how time in nature grounds him, what “feeding the soul” means in a world of constant connection, and how that personal motivation is shaping the hospitality he’s now creating in the Lake Tahoe area. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, star...

In this episode, Jannes Sörensen , founder of Kepler Hotel Group and the Kepler International Hospitality Academy , shares reflections on leadership and inspiration with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker . Drawing from his experience leading executive teams at the highest levels of hospitality, he reveals why the higher you rise in hospitality, the lonelier it can become, and why true leadership starts with how you lead yourself. Jannes explains the importance of cultivating y...

What does it take to build a global career in travel and hospitality — one that spans brands at the top of our industry? In this conversation, our career correspondent, and hertelier founder Emily Goldfischer , sits down with Carolyn Turnbull , the CEO of Nammos Hotels & Resorts , whose journey has taken her from Aman to Tourism Western Australia and beyond. Carolyn shares what she’s learned about leadership, trust, and building culture through change — lessons gained from decades working alongs...

In this episode, St Giles Hotel Group CEO Abigail Tan shares how her approach to leadership has evolved from self-discovery to creating a culture people can feel. Speaking with our career correspondent and hertelier founder Emily Goldfisher , Abigail reflects on the values that guide her decisions, the lessons she’s learned as both a CEO and mother, and why authentic leadership and organizational behavior matter more than ever in hospitality. She discusses how she’s built a loyal team—many with ...

In this episode, Gregory Day , President of Hospitality for Mani Brothers Real Estate Group and Managing Director of the Malibu Beach Inn , reflects on how formality and luxury have evolved across different hospitality environments. Gregory shares formative lessons from his early career, from discovering true luxury at Pebble Beach Resorts to being mentored by industry leaders and later managing at Fairmont, where excellence took on a different meaning. He discusses how definitions of formality ...

In this conversation, Oscar Serrano shares how his deep operational experience has shaped the way he leads commercial strategy today. From growing up in Majorca—where tourism is part of daily life—to leading global hospitality brands, Oscar explains why understanding every aspect of operations is essential to delivering both exceptional guest experiences and strong business results. You’ll hear how this operational mindset influences sales, marketing, and brand development at UMusic Hospitality ...

In this episode, we get to know Virtuoso's "Hotelier of the Year" for 2025, Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram...

Dina Belon , President of Staypineapple , returns for a conversation with our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith , to share the non-negotiable at the core of her leadership philosophy: caring deeply — or, as she puts it, "giving a ****." In this candid conversation, Dina explains how purpose-driven leadership connects personal values with guest experience, culture, and sustainability. She reflects on aligning her career with her ethos, creating spaces that enable meaningful memories, a...

In this episode, Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, reflects on her journey to the top and how she’s working to elevate more women into leadership roles across the company. She shares how turning perceived weaknesses into advantages has helped her career, why she believes creating opportunities—not protections—is key for women leaders, and the importance of building trust and transparency as a CEO. Barbara also offers practical advice for aspiring executives on playing to strengths, pr...

Jimmy Peña believes hospitality comes down to two essentials: heart and hustle. In this conversation, the Beverly Hills estate manager and former Ritz-Carlton quality auditor shares what he learned shaping service excellence across Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond properties. Jimmy reflects on the mentors who guided his career, the power of checklists and standards, and the stewardship mindset required to balance service and profit. Hospitality leaders will find practical lessons on creatin...

Jimmy Peña is a hospitality executive, best-selling author, and nonprofit leader whose career spans luxury hotels, estate operations, publishing, and ministry. A graduate of Baylor University and the University of Texas at Tyler, Jimmy began in the world of health and fitness — becoming Worldwide Fitness Editor for Muscle & Fitness and M&F Hers , co-writing the New York Times bestseller Extra Lean with Mario Lopez. But as he explains in this episode, a childhood experience of “radical hospitalit...

In this episode, Sloan Dean shares why he stepped down as CEO of Remington Hospitality after eight transformative years, walking away to bet on himself as a founder and disruptor. He discusses enrolling in MIT AI courses, his philosophy on taking calculated risks, and why becoming CEO was never meant to be his "summit." Resources mentioned: Not Done with Sloan Dean Culture Creates Room To Thrive At Remington Hotels More episodes with Sloan Resource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor Manageme...

In this episode, Sloan Dean shares why curiosity and the willingness to keep learning might be the most important leadership trait in hospitality today. In a candid conversation, Sloan shares his view on the flat state of RevPAR, the generational gap slowing AI adoption, and why the industry risks falling behind if it only experiments on the fringes. Drawing on his own deep dive into AI education and lessons from other industries, he offers a challenge to rethink how we grow, lead, and adapt. Re...

David Tart , Managing Partner at Raines , entered the hospitality industry by turning family farmland into his first Hampton Inn. Today, he leads development at Raines, an integrated hospitality company known for both branded and independent hotels. In this conversation, David shares key lessons from his career—particularly around risk-taking, relationship-building, and why trust is foundational in navigating the world of hospitality. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, sta...

In this episode, Sage Hospitality Group ’s Chief Creative Officer, Jessica Werner , shares her approach to finding fresh creative inspiration by looking beyond the hospitality industry. She explains why seeking inspiration from art, nature, music, and even wine-making can unlock powerful new ideas for hospitality leaders. If you're looking to stay inspired, avoid creative burnout, and bring truly innovative thinking into your work, you’ll love her perspective and practical tips. A few more resou...

Episode Overview In this episode, Hospitality Daily host Josiah Mackenzie interviews Shozib Khan , VP of Hotel Performance and Analytics at Spire Hospitality , about his unconventional journey from chemistry student to hospitality analytics leader. Khan shares how his scientific background shaped his approach to solving operational challenges through data-driven insights and the scientific method. The episode explores his early career progression from shuttle driver to assistant general manager ...