Leadership Episodes

In this episode recorded at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, Josiah Mackenzie speaks to STR President Amanda Hite about the leadership lessons that have shaped her career. She recalls what she learned from STR founder Randy Smith’s humility, clarity, and ability to empower others — setting guardrails while encouraging smart risk-taking. Amanda then shares how she applies these principles today, balancing a calm, thoughtful presence with the need for speed and decisiveness in a fast-c...

David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, shares how the practice of visibility drives the culture at his rapidly growing hospitality company. He dives deep into how Raines maintains its close-knit, relationship-driven culture through intentional leadership practices, especially during growth periods and acquisitions like the integration of HP Hotels. Listen in to discover how visibility, internal events, and cross-training initiatives create career opportunities and cultivate a unified team cultu...

Chris Gilbert, CEO of Springfield Township in Hamilton County, Ohio, and founder of Municipal Hospitality Advisors, shares how he's pioneering the application of hospitality principles within local government. Chris shares the personal inspiration behind his transformative approach: a memorable dining experience that sparked his commitment to delivering meaningful moments in civic service. Listeners will gain insights into how hospitality can enhance collaboration, build deeper community trust, ...

In this episode, Ryan Bukstein shares what he's learned about the power of mentorship: both being mentored and mentoring others.

In this episode, Edward Mady shares what he's learned from baseball. Learn more about Edward's new book, Honing the Human Edge. 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...

In this episode, Edward Mady shares what he has learned about creating a culture of welcome throughout every part of a hotel business. Read Edward's article on Harvard Business Review: How Luxury Brands Can Motivate Service Employees Learn more about Edward's new book, Honing the Human Edge. 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 actionabl...

In this episode, Edward Mady shares what he's learned about leading through crisis. Learn more about Edward's new book, Honing the Human Edge. 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...

In this episode, Edward Mady shares some things he's learned about leadership, relationship building, and the joy of friendship and fellowship in the world of hospitality. Learn more about Edward's new book, Honing the Human Edge. 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, subscrib...

In this episode, Edward Mady shares his experience working for a tough boss - and the power of being unfazed under pressure. Learn more about Edward's new book, Honing the Human Edge 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...

In this episode, Andrew Arthurs, President & Chief Operating Officer at Actabl, shares his experience as a Chief Information Officer at some of the world's largest hotel management companies. 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...

In this episode, Danica Smith , founder of Morningstar GX and our guest experience correspondent, interviews Billy Skelli-Cohen , CEO of Beaumier , about what he's learned about leading and hospitality through his career so far. 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, ...

In this episode, Kevin Kelleher , a former hotel leader who is now an account manager at Actabl , shares what he's learned about the hotel pre-opening and opening process. Recommended next episode with Kevin: The 70% Rule: Why Hospitality Leaders Grow Faster by Stepping Beyond Their Comfort Zone 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 action...

In this episode, Kevin Kelleher , a former hotel leader who is now an account manager at Actabl , shares a surprising insight about leadership that anyone in hospitality can learn from. Recommended next episode with Kevin: The 70% Rule: Why Hospitality Leaders Grow Faster by Stepping Beyond Their Comfort Zone 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 summ...

In this episode, Kevin Kelleher , a former hotel leader who is now an account manager at Actabl , shares what he's learned about leadership in hospitality. Recommended next episode with Kevin: The 70% Rule: Why Hospitality Leaders Grow Faster by Stepping Beyond Their Comfort Zone Also see: From Heart of House to Leadership: Lessons From My Journey to Hospitality Excellence - Kevin Kelleher A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here . You can send me a mess...

In this episode, Emily Goldfischer, founder and editor-in-chief of hertelier, interviews Hazel Hagans Farris, Le Meridien Washington, D.C., The Madison. Hazel shares her unconventional journey from studying chemistry to becoming a leader in the hospitality industry, tackling leadership challenges, and championing women in hospitality. In this, we cover: (00:00) Introduction (00:21) Hazel's background and career shift (01:17) First role at W Atlanta Buckhead (02:46) Gradual realization of pa...

In this episode, Sara Masterson, President of Olympia Hospitality, shares her insights on growth and leadership with our host and career correspondent, Nancy Mendelson. 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 conversat...

In this episode, Marc Schwarz, Director of Service at Thrive Hospitality, shares hospitality lessons from an unexpected role that we can all learn from. Also see: Service is a Privilege: The Mindset of Hospitality Success - Marc Schwarz Creating Alchemy with Ian Schrager (And How Hospitality Needs to Change) - Ben Pundole, PUBLIC Hotels 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 w...

In this episode, Marc Schwarz, Director of Service at Thrive Hospitality, shares his experiences working with the legendary hotelier Ian Schrager and the unique culture at Morgan's Hotel Group. Also see: Service is a Privilege: The Mindset of Hospitality Success - Marc Schwarz Creating Alchemy with Ian Schrager (And How Hospitality Needs to Change) - Ben Pundole, PUBLIC Hotels Working with Ian Schrager: The Iconic Studio 54 Founder's Approach to Hospitality Today - Adam Wallace A few more reso...

In this episode, Sloan Dean, CEO of Remington Hospitality, shares insights on attracting millennials and Gen Z to the hospitality industry, rethinking benefits, and building loyalty through mentorship-driven career paths. Check out our other episodes with Sloan here. 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 deliver...

In this episode, Kara Bartelt, General Manager at The Hoxton, Downtown LA, shares insights on the role of hotels in urban revitalization, the challenges and opportunities in the hospitality industry today, and the importance of community engagement. Learn more about Hotel Caring from the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA). Also, see these other episodes with Kara: Engineering Training & Mentorship How Buildings Shape Hospitality: Lessons from a Yale-Trained Architect-Turned-...

In this episode, Donte P. Johnson and Jason Bass share the story and message behind Impact Hospitality and their new book of the same name published by Kendall Hunt. See our other episodes with Donte and Jason: Culture creates a feeling and sends a message We have a boring problem, not a staffing problem Dress codes, grooming standards & creating a welcoming culture DEI needs to be a baseline to build from Impact Hospitality & being more hospitable to our neighbors The business benefits o...

In this episode, Adele Gutman shares insights on effectively responding to hotel guest feedback to prevent future issues and improve guest satisfaction and team morale. Watch Us Build an AI Bot to Answer Hotel Reviews (YouTube) Take my State of Hotel Industry Survey now to get insights on challenges, priorities, and opportunities in hospitality today. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or ...

In this episode, Tim Harmon, founder and CEO of Palisades Hospitality Group, shares how his experiences in the restaurant and hotel industries have shaped his vision for exceptional guest experiences. Listen now to learn: How lessons from the restaurant world, like the power of storytelling and embracing spontaneity, can revolutionize hotel operations. Tim's unique approach to balancing consistency with creativity in hospitality management. The importance of hands-on leadership and bu...

In this episode, Angel Hernandez, General Manager at Timber Cove Resort, shares his journey from the high-energy hospitality scene of New York to creating a vibrant community hub in a quiet coastal town in California. Listen now to learn about: The unique challenges and rewards of managing a remote resort and creating a home-like atmosphere for guests. The importance of personalized guest experiences and attentiveness in hospitality. Insights into Angel's leadership style and how he motivate...