Career Episodes

Michelle Jensen Session is the co-owner of Kensington Investment Group, which owns and manages a mix of commercial and hotel properties. She's also the co-founder of Aquarius Hospitality Solutions, a strategic advisory firm for hospitality.In this episode, Michelle teaches us about community and connection and why they matter so much.Follow Michelle on LinkedInLearn more about Aquarius Hospitality SolutionsFollow Aquarius Hospitality Solutions on LinkedInFollow Aquarius Hospitality Sol...

Rachel Humphrey is the founder of The Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance and is Principal at DEI Advisors.In this episode, we explore how we can make hospitality events more inclusive and reflective of the industry's talent pool. Listeners will learn about:The current state of diversity among attendees and speakers at hospitality events.The importance of visibility for women and diverse groups in leadership roles within the industry.Practical strategies for conference organi...

What does it take to reach the top of executive leadership in hospitality - and then use that position to create opportunities for those you work with?Today, Dorothy Dowling joins us. She is a trailblazer and industry legend who spent 17 years at BWH Hotel Group - most recently as Chief Marketing Officer - and is now Managing Director at Horwath.In this episode, you will learn the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in this rapidly evolving business, the power of building and ...

Gilda Perez-Alvarado is the CEO of Orient Express and Group Chief Strategy Officer at Accor. In this episode, she shares career and leadership advice on everything from why you should learn about real estate to why being a global citizen is important to time management to lessons from parenting and creating more inclusive work environments.Join in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page here.This episode is brought to you with support from Hireology, the pla...

If you care about hospitality, why should you care about finance and Wall Street?To answer that question, I went to Wall Street in New York and met with Trica Jean-Baptiste, Founder and CEO of Morgensheer Hospitality, who has a fascinating career that started in hospitality, PR, and media and has evolved into her current work as a capital connector - someone at the heart of the investment world in hospitality today.In this conversation, you'll learn about how Trica built and evolved her care...

Melissa Maher helped build Expedia over 20 years into one of the biggest companies in the world as its Chief Marketing Officer. In this episode, you'll hear the career and leadership lessons she learned through that experience - as well as how she planned and navigated her transition into the work she's doing today.Watch Melissa's interview with DEI Advisors on her career journeyFollow Melissa on LinkedInLearn more about Pinnacle Enterprises GroupJoin in the conversation on this episode...

Anthony Melchiorri started his hospitality career working at an Embassy Suites in Kansas and then worked his way up to becoming one of the most successful hotel general managers in New York City.Throughout that journey, he discovered some practical things that allowed him to show up for himself and for the hotels and people he served. Then in 2012, he landed a deal with the Travel Channel that led to him hosting nine seasons of the hit show, Hotel Impossible, where he gave millions of people a...

In this episode, Melissa Maher, Founder and CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises Group, shares her insights on what it takes to be a successful leader today - drawing from her experience as Expedia's former Chief Marketing Officer.Follow Melissa on LinkedInLearn more about Pinnacle Enterprises GroupJoin in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page here.

Michael Pace is the general manager of the iconic InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. In this episode, you'll learn about what he calls "passion-driven management."Follow Michael on LinkedInLearn more about the InterContinental Mark HopkinsListen to our other episodes with Michael:Engaging The Next Generation of Hospitality TalentImmerse In Brand History and Culture To Guide It ForwardFrom Porsches to Bee Colonies: Partnerships for Sustainability and FunEarth Da...

In our recent episode with Mariana Safer and Sara O'Brien, something that came up was "energy management" for ourselves. This is so important to our work as hospitality providers that I wanted to share it with you as a separate episode. Listen in to learn what this means for you - and the people you lead.Follow Mariana on LinkedInFollow Sara on LinkedInVisit Sara's websiteListen to Sara's podcast: Lead EasyJoin in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page ...

Do you want to be a more confident, effective leader? In this episode, Mariana Safer and Sara O'Brien share what they've found effective in their career journeys. You'll learn how to become great at leading others by leading yourself first.Follow Mariana on LinkedInFollow Sara on LinkedInVisit Sara's websiteListen to Sara's podcast: Lead EasyJoin in the conversation on this episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page here.This episode is brought to you with support from Sojern. Fi...

In this episode, Zoku Director of Concept and Brand, Veerle Donders, shares what keeps her motivated.Listen to our other episodes with VeerleFollow Veerle on LinkedInLearn more about ZokuJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - Tuesday through Friday - I summarize the stories you need to know as a hospitality professional in a short email. Read today's issue and subscribe here.

How are you thinking about developing yourself - personally and professionally - to become the best hospitality professional you can be?Today, we're learning from Erik Tengen, CEO of Oaky, about how he thinks about this - and what works for him.Links:Follow Erik on LinkedInListen to the Oaky podcast on SpotifyJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - Tuesday through Friday - I summarize th...

Nina Kleaveland is the founder of Lanyard as well as the founder of Female Founders in Hospitality - which today, August 18, turns 1 year old. In this episode, she shares her career journey, as well as more about Female Founders in Hospitality and how it might help you.Follow Nina on LinkedInLearn more about Nina's company, LanyardFollow Female Founders in Hospitality on LinkedInJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospitality Daily isn't jus...

David Lund is The Hotel Financial Coach and in this episode, you'll hear about his own journey to leadership, advice on where to get started on your journey, and how to refine your financial skills - as well as David's new book, The Prosperous Hotelier.Follow David on LinkedInVisit David's websiteLearn more about David's book, The Prosperous HotelierJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - T...

Emily Kanders Goldfischer is a thought leader and change maker in hospitality, on a mission to promote gender equality in the industry. In this episode, we get to hear the story of why she founded hertelier with Nancy Mendelson and how she leads this community and platform today to inspire women in hospitality to pursue, navigate and nurture their careers at every stage.Follow Emily on LinkedInFollow hertelier on LinkedInLearn more about hertelierJoin the conversation on today's episode...

David Kong is the founder and principal of DEI Advisors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering personal success. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of BWH Hotel Group – comprised of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Sure Stay Hotels, and WorldHotels – a role he retired from as the longest-running CEO of any major hotel company.In this episode, David talks about the road to becoming CEO, and what was useful in his journey to that role.Links:Learn more about ...

Jacqui Nunley has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality technology, holding leadership positions across strategy, product, revenue, and distribution with companies such as Micros (now Oracle Hospitality) and Sabre Hospitality. She currently serves as a Travel & Hospitality Advisor at Salesforce, and in this episode, you'll learn what she's learned in her career so far and get inspired by looking at the opportunities we have in hospitality today.Listen to our other episode with Jac...

In this episode, Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), shares what he's seeing in hospitality today, the career opportunities that are emerging, and what AHLA is doing to support the industry.Read the research: What people (really) think about working in hotels todayFollow Chip on LinkedInLearn more about AHLALearn more about AHLA's apprenticeship programJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospital...

In this episode, Amanda Gray, Chief Human Resources Officer at Remington Hospitality, and Raul Moronta, Chief Commercial Officer at Remington Hospitality, discuss the results of our recent survey on how people outside the industry view a career working in and with hotels - and talk about the initiatives that Remington is doing now to support their people and create more opportunities for everyone.Read the research: What people (really) think about working in hotels todayFollow Amanda on Li...

Philippe Zrihen is Head of Americas for Ennismore.In this episode, you'll learn about Philippe's career journey, the worlds of finance, mergers & acquisitions, working with Accor, assembling a collection of lifestyle hotel brands, leadership lessons, and building a strong organizational culture.Follow Philippe on LinkedInLearn more about EnnismoreOperating lifestyle hotel brands: Lessons from Philippe Zrihen at Ennismore (HotelOperations.com)Join the conversation on today's episode...

When David Kong retired from his role as the President and CEO of BWH Hotel Group, he was the longest-running CEO of any major hotel company. Today, he's focused on empowering others through DEI Advisors, and in this episode, you'll learn more about this, including lessons he's learned, advice for overcoming something he calls "head trash," making your organization a great place to work, and much more.Links:Learn more about DEI AdvisorsFollow David on LinkedInFollow David on YouTubeSubscr...

Today we're learning from Richard Fertig, founder and Chief Investment Officer at Stomp Capital, about the importance of staying inspired.Links:Follow Richard on LinkedInLearn more about Stomp CapitalHow a former globe-trotting hedge fund manager now provides bespoke hospitalityJoin the conversation on today's episode on the Hospitality Daily LinkedIn page.Hospitality Daily isn't just a podcast! Every morning - Tuesday through Friday - I summarize the stories you need to know as a h...

Could having a great mentor could propel your hospitality career?In today's episode, we had the pleasure of learning from none other than the person known across the hospitality industry as The Hospitality Mentor, Steve Turk.You'll learn why mentorship matters in hospitality and how it can make a world of difference for those eager to grow in their careers. We'll also explore what it means to mentor others and the importance of self-awareness for leaders in the hospitality industry.Join ...