Michelle Jensen Session
Co-Founder, Aquarius Hospitality Solutions
Prior to founding Aquarius Hospitality Solutions, Michelle spent the last decade as the Principal in charge of operations and strategy for Kensington Investment Group, a family company which owns, renovates, and manages a mix of commercial and hotel properties.
She is an owner and an operator who was raised in the hospitality business, and a 15-year veteran of the industry with additional experience in strategic planning, budgetary oversight, investor and banking relations, program and project management, staff and organizational development, human resources, environmental sustainability and more.
Michelle served as the Equal Opportunity Compliance Specialist for UC San Diego, where she was responsible for the University’s compliance status in conformance with State and Federal regulations regarding Equal Opportunity/Staff Affirmative Action. She coordinated the efforts and contributed to the development of a high-profile management-level diversity education program for faculty and administrative leaders called “The Culturally Competent Management Program” and received the prestigious "UC San Diego Diversity Champion" award for her efforts. She facilitated courses on leadership, career development, management training, diversity and communication for all levels of the organization.
At the UC San Diego Sustainability Solutions Institute. Michelle worked with Nobel prize winning scientists and organized award winning environmental sustainability educational forums, programs, and conventions. She coordinated high profile international conferences on climate change in the US, Italy, and the United Kingdom, navigating various cultures, languages, and systems.
Michelle is a consultant member of HTNG, the technology arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), and a “HerOwnership” member of the Asian American Hotel Owner Association (AAHOA). She is the West Coast Ambassador for Women Leading Travel and Hospitality and a contributing writer for Hertelier, an online news platform that aims to enlighten and inspire women in hospitality.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Environmental Studies and a minor in Global Peace & Security from the University of California Santa Barbara.