The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - March 2026

The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm, a worldwide retained recruiting firm specializing in hospitality management.

Market update​​​

• Private industry lost 92K employees in the prior month as the economy partially offset earlier gains
  • Food services lost 30K employees and hotels removed 5K employees
• The Boutique Search Firm earned recognition from Business Insider as one of the best recruiting firms in the nation
  • America's Top Recruiting Firms - Business Insider
• The Boutique Search Firm earned recognition on Forbes’ 2025 list of Best Executive Search Firms, highlighting its excellence in talent acquisition and client service.
  • Forbes 2025 America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms List​

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​​

• Richard Hinojosa has been appointed as Executive Chef at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. He oversees the resort's dynamic culinary program across its four distinct dining outlets.
•  Deacon Cottrell has been appointed as Assistant General Manager at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver. His professional journey includes quality assurance positions with airlines and hotels, providing him with a unique perspective on service standards and operational leadership.
• Robert Boyd has been appointed as General Manager at Kimpton Everly Hollywood. He will oversee all hotel operations, focusing on elevating the guest experience and amplifying Kimpton Everly Hollywood's presence as a creative hub for travelers and locals alike. 
• Megan Pierce has been appointed as Area Director of Sales & Marketing at The Maven Hotel and The Rally Hotel. She oversees The Rally Hotel located in Denver's entertainment mecca, McGregor Square, and anchoring Denver's vibrant Dairy Block micro-district.
• Deanne Teeter has been promoted as Principal at HKS, Inc. She brings a holistic approach to her projects.
• Josh D’Amaro named as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Walt Disney Company. He has been responsible for 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide. 
• Dustin Lee has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hotel Dax. He will also oversee in-room dining and catering at Hotel Dax.
• Nick Muntean has been promoted as Senior Project Director at The Hardy Group. His responsibilities include serving as the primary point of contact for clients and establishing the project vision and goals.
• Matthew Watters has been promoted as Senior Project Director at The Hardy Group. He provides senior-level leadership throughout the contract administration, change management, and cost control process as well as overseeing the internal and external project teams.
• Matthew de Quillien has been appointed as General Manager at The Huntington Hotel. He led a comprehensive rebrand and developed strategic partnerships that elevated the overall guest experience.
• Janet Galippo has been appointed as Director of Marketing at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa. She led integrated initiatives including a website redesign and the implementation of a new CRM platform and driving increased engagement. 
• Carlos Bres has been promoted as Principal at HKS, Inc. He is poised to deliver the highest care to support the needs of the client and project. 
• Kevin Herbst has been appointed as Area Managing Director at Emeline and The Ryder. He will oversee operations and strategic direction while continuing to elevate the guest experience.
• Rebecca Tillman has been appointed as First Female Executive Chef at The Phoenician. She has already begun a new, resort-wide initiative to reduce food waste and make a positive impact by supporting those less fortunate.
• Julio Aguilera has been appointed as Executive Chef at Farmhouse Inn. He will lead the culinary vision at Farmhouse Inn Restaurant with a completely refreshed menu rooted in seasonality and regional sourcing.
• Sam Madrid has been appointed as Executive Chef at Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel. He has earned a strong reputation for cultivating talented teams, inspiring menu innovation, and upholding exceptional operational standards.
• Lisa Duncan has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hotel Maya. She will lead the hotel's sales and marketing efforts, with a focus on driving revenue and strengthening the property's position as a premier waterfront destination.
• Sebastian Hinsch has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles. He will oversee all strategic business operations of the 285-room urban resort, including Culina Ristorante, La OLA rooftop restaurant, and The Lounge.
• Zach Webster has been promoted as President at Pure Wellness. He will oversee the company's strategic direction, operational execution, and continued expansion across hotel portfolios, with the goal of enhancing guest well-being and performance outcomes.
• George Adel has been appointed as Area General Manager at W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia Downtown. He will oversee all aspects of operations, including guest experience and satisfaction, hotel administration, internal and external hotel visibility.
• Alex Fiz has been appointed as President at Aimbridge Latin America (LATAM) and Aimbridge All-Inclusive. He will lead the Aimbridge's Latin American and All‑Inclusive businesses as the company continues to build momentum across high‑growth international and leisure segments. 
• Neal Thurman has been appointed as Vice President & General Manager at Callaway Resort & Gardens. He has  more than three decades of leadership in hospitality and attractions, joins Callaway Resort & Gardens from Dollywood Parks & Resorts.  
• Diego Alonso Ortega Oneto has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. He brings a refined, globally inspired perspective shaped by his Peruvian heritage, international training, and passion for flavor-forward coastal cuisine.
• Rick Corcoran has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. Making his return to The Ritz-Carlton brand, Corcoran brings more than three decades of global luxury hospitality experience to the role.
• Lisa Marçais has been appointed as General Manager for Northern Europe and MEA at Airbnb, Inc. She will be responsible for overseeing the region including, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, and Middle East and Africa.
• Shawna Ash has been appointed Director of Sales at Fenway Hotel. She will lead sales strategy and revenue growth for the 83-room boutique hotel.
• Munir Salem has been appointed as General Manager at Dream Downtown. He brings a wealth of operational expertise, a people-first leadership style, and a passion for creating memorable guest moments.
• Jeff Neuzil has been appointed as Resort Manager at Timber Ridge Lodge &. He brings extensive experience to this role as Timber Ridge celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• Yvette Estrada has been appointed as Senior Director of State and Local Affairs at American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). She will lead AHLA's efforts in Alaska, California, Hawai'i, Nevada, and Washington state.
• Heather Fox has been appointed as Director of Sales at Hotel Vin, Rogers. She has nearly 20 years of hospitality leadership, regional market expertise, and a deeply relationship-driven approach to her work.
• David Lang has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Vin, Rogers. He is known for building collaborative cultures, robust food and beverage experiences, and driving performance through guest and employee-centric programming.
• Paul Calvin has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel. He oversees all sales and marketing functions, including group sales, catering, corporate accounts, and overall market strategy.
• Taylor Hart has been appointed as General Manager at Balfour Miami Beach. He will oversee all daily operations with a focus on building a collaborative, accountable team culture while delivering elevated guest experiences.
• Gregory James has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale. He will oversee all culinary operations across the resort's dining program, including signature restaurants, In-Casita dining, banquets, weddings, and special events.
• Lance Hornecker has been appointed as Managing Director - Global Sales at First Hospitality. He will lead global sales efforts across the First Hospitality portfolio.
• Kori Yoran has been appointed as Managing Director at Kimpton Era Midtown New York. He brings vision, depth, and momentum to this newly constructed, 33-story building anchored in the heart of Manhattan.
• Geraldine Burgos has been appointed as Director of Sales at Kimpton Era Midtown New York. She brings vision, depth, and momentum to this newly constructed, 33-story building anchored in the heart of Manhattan.
• Ebrahim Ansari has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Trinity Austin, Autograph Collection. Hoel Trinity will participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International.
• Brooke Tadena has been appointed as Executive Chef at Prince Waikiki in Honolulu. He oversees all food and beverage operations across Prince Waikiki's dining venues and banquet spaces.
• Maurice Copeland has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Prince Waikiki in Honolulu. He will lead the strategic direction, performance, and guest experience across all of the hotel's food and beverage operations.
• Raimondo Russo has been appointed as General Manager at Le Méridien Arlington. He will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, with a focus on elevating service standards and strengthening the property's position within the Arlington hospitality market.
• Andrew Harris has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Theodore Seattle, Tapestry by Hilton and Mayflower Park Hotel. He brings 21 years of hospitality leadership to this dual property role, which demands strategic vision and operational excellence.
• Steve Marino has been appointed as Vice President of Information Technology + Hotel Systems at PM Hotel Group. He will oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure, hotel systems, cybersecurity, and technology innovation across PM Hotel Group's portfolio.
• Joe Trumfio has been promoted as Senior Vice President of Investment Operations, Compliance and Reporting at Concord Hospitality. He will continue to lead investor engagement across affiliated hotels, oversee loan compliance management.
• Cathryn Andrews has been promoted as Senior Vice President of Hotel Accounting at Concord Hospitality. She will continue to evolve the company's accounting practices and policies with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and strategic support.
• Alex Langston has been promoted as Senior Director of Risk Management at Concord Hospitality. He will further strengthen Concord's risk management strategies and processes across its portfolio.
• Patrick Dumont has been appointed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Las Vegas Sands Corp. He is responsible for the company's new development in Singapore, an $8 billion ultra-luxury project that broke ground in July 2025.
• Marc Quiñones has been appointed as Executive Chef at La Fonda on the Plaza. He will enhance the culinary programming for La Fonda on the Plaza's three dining outlets.
• Gerard Kenny has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hotel Viata in West Lake Hills. He will oversee all food and beverage operations across the property, including the hotel's signature Laurel Restaurant, in-room dining, banquets and weddings.
• Adam Lund has been appointed as General Manager at Alma San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He brings more than two decades of hospitality experience, a deep connection to the San Diego hotel community.
• Suzanne Cahill has been appointed as Executive Director at Connecticut Lodging Association. She brings extensive experience in association leadership, nonprofit management, strategic communications, fundraising, and legislative advocacy.
• Karan Kakar has been appointed as General Manager at Andaz Miami Beach. He has also held leadership roles at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, an Autograph Collection by Marriott, and Mondrian South Beach.
• Todd Richards has been appointed as Executive Chef at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. He will play a present, hands-on role in shaping the hotel's next chapter, crafting menus inspired by Georgia's seasons and partnering closely with local farmers and purveyors.
• Brent McDowell has been named as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at MXR Hospitality. He will be responsible for supervising all operating units of MXR Hospitality, to include hotel development, third-party property management assignments and brand relationships.
• Nicole Brizan has been appointed as VP finance and accounting at Donohoe Hospitality. She oversees hotel-level reporting, analysis and forecasting for some of the industry's most complex assets.
• Eric Watts has been named President at MXR Hospitality. He will be responsible for refining and growing MXR's ground-up extended-stay platform, in particular, supervising site selection and evaluation, negotiation, entitlements, and construction activities for new build projects.
• Chelan Goonetilleke has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. He oversees marketing for Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre.
• Kristina Randorf has been promoted to SVP Revenue Management at StepStone Hospitality. She will continue leading enterprise revenue management, strategic analytics, and innovation across the organization.
• Patrick Broderick has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Commercial Optimization at Davidson Hospitality Group. He oversees topline sales for 60-plus Marriott hotels across 12 brands, including 18 resorts and luxury hotels, representing more than $2 billion in revenues.
• Harry Carr has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Commercial Optimization at Davidson Hospitality Group. He has more than 30 years of hospitality experience in both independent and branded environments.
• Kathryn Collins has been appointed as Vice President, Marketing at Davidson Hospitality Group. She is well-versed in driving strategy and execution across paid media, website development, analytics, creative, and market research to drive measurable results.
• Olly Lynch has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Duetto. He brings over a decade of experience leading marketing and growth transformation across SaaS, enterprise technology, and product-led businesses. 
• Chuck Collins has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Brush Creek Ranch. He has held more than 15 roles in almost as many cities.
• Geoff Gray has been appointed as President at Author & Edit Hospitality. He will oversee all aspects of the 141-room hotel, including its five dining destinations, wellness offerings and private members club.
• Brennan Conant has been appointed as General Manager at Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa. He brings more than a decade of hospitality experience across full-service hotels and complex resort operations.
• Michael “Kazem” Moghtader has been appointed as Chief People Officer at AmaWaterways. He brings more than 20 years of experience leading HR strategy, talent development, and organizational transformation across hospitality, healthcare, retail, and luxury brands.
• Virginia Suliman has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at AmaWaterways. She brings extensive technology leadership experience, most recently serving as Chief Information and Digital Officer at Invitation Homes, where she led a major digital transformation.
• Monica Hubert has been appointed as General Manager at Everline Resort & Spa, Lake Tahoe. She will lead Everline Resort & Spa, overseeing all aspects of resort operations, homeowners' association relations, guest experience, finance, and team engagement.
• Tracey Oliver has been appointed as General Manager at South Bank. She will play a pivotal role in continuing South Bank's momentum throughout 2026, following a prosperous first year of being open, in addition to overseeing the property's final development phase.
• Tanya Sims has been appointed as Vice President of Operations at Rebel Hotel Company. She brings more than 25 years of hospitality leadership experience.
• Gary J. Thomas has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Rebel Hotel Company. He brings decades of leadership experience across premier lifestyle and luxury brands.
• Kelly Makino has been appointed as Head of Human Resources at Rebel Hotel Company. She brings a strong background in talent strategy, organizational development, and employee engagement within the hospitality sector.
• Patrick Horstmann has been appointed as Director of Luxury & Lifestyle at Rebel Hotel Company. He has more than 20 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality.
• Mary-Catherine Moore has been appointed as Executive Director of Food & Beverage and Managing Partner at Shinola. She will oversee Shinola Hotel's in-room dining, banquets, programming, and events.
• Dan Briks has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton New York Times Square. His leadership experience also includes hotel manager positions at The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, and Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
• Colm O’Brien has been appointed as Managing Director at Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley. He brings deep operational and financial expertise across resort and multi-property portfolios.
• Julie Desvaux has been appointed as Global Marketing Director at Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. She will oversee marketing strategy for Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts, with a focus on brand positioning, digital innovation, and guest engagement.
• Sean M. Dell’Orto has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer at Park Hotels & Resorts. He will have additional oversight and responsibility for day-to-day execution, and coordinating alignment, of the Company's internal operations with its strategy and business plans.
• Cole Millen has been appointed as General Manager at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. He has built a distinguished career with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, holding leadership roles at several of Canada's most historic properties.
• Carlos Del Busto has been appointed as Director of Catering & Sales at W South Beach. He will lead the resort’s catering and sales initiatives, with a particular focus on the wedding market.
• Jerry Christopher Butler has been appointed as Special Advisor for the Caribbean at Dreamscape Hospitality. He will advise Dreamscape on business development initiatives throughout the Caribbean.
• Nitin Bali has been appointed as Executive Chef at Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection. He will lead the resort's dining vision across its signature outlets—including Stark's Alpine Grill and the Viewline Lobby Bar.
• Randy Morton has been appointed as President at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. He brings extensive industry experience to the role, including more than 12 years leading Bellagio in Las Vegas as President and COO.
• Travis Lunn has been appointed as President at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. He brings more than 25 years of gaming and hospitality leadership experience to his new role.
• Bo Guidry has been appointed as President at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. He oversees the company’s popular Cincinnati property
• Justin Wyborn has been appointed as SVP and General Manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. He will report to Joe Lupo, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
• Ed Martinez has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Revenue Management at Parable Hospitality. He brings deep executive level experience in revenue strategy, pricing optimization, and portfolio-wide performance management.
• Jay Rocha has been appointed as Vice President & General Manager at Silverado Resort. He will oversee the strategic direction, operational excellence, and performance of the iconic property while reinforcing Silverado’s position as a premier wine country destination.
• Tayna Zasada has been appointed as Director of Sales, Marketing and Events at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. She will lead strategic sales and marketing initiatives to further position the hotel as a premier waterfront destination for meetings, events, and leisure travel.
• Chris Delgado has been appointed as General Manager at The Sarasota Modern, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. He brings more than 15 years of experience across hotel management, openings, guest services, and operations.
• Michael Rosenthal has been appointed as Executive Chef at Timbri Hotel San Francisco, Curio Collection by Hilton. He is leaning into the hotel’s diverse spaces to create multi-faceted culinary experiences from Spoke Coffee & Cafe and Tenderheart restaurant.
• John Thomas has been appointed as General Manager at Caravan Court, by Valencia Hotel Collection. He will oversee all hotel operations, including financial performance, team development, and guest experience initiatives, while preserving the distinct character.
• Anna Darden has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Caravan Court, by Valencia Hotel Collection. She will lead sales strategy, group and corporate business development, and market positioning for the property.
• Kaitlyn Lofgren has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton. She will lead menu development, service standards and overall programming across each venue.
• Paul Eckert has been appointed as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Trailborn. He brings three decades of experience leading resort and independent hotel operations nationwide.
• Duncan Bond has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. He has 15 years of international hospitality experience spanning Europe and the Africa–Indian Ocean region.

Europe​

• Shan Kanagasingham has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Iconic Hotels & Resorts. She will oversee operations across the global platform and lead implementation of Iconic Hotels & Resorts' guest-experience.
• Carolin Paarmann has been appointed as General Manager at a&o London Docklands Riverside. She has held roles in both the United Kingdom and Australia.
• Héctor Lugo has been appointed as General Manager at The Woodward, Auberge Collection. He oversaw the property's celebrated 2022 launch and served as Resort Manager through 2025, where his tenure concluded with the property's two-MICHELIN Keys recognition.
• Damien Bastiat has been appointed as General Manager at Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Collection. He brings three decades of international luxury hospitality experience to Domaine des Etangs Auberge Collection.  
• David Piquet has been appointed as Head Sommelier at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. He will take the helm of the sommelier team at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Zainab Tunkar has been appointed as Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications at Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea and Six Senses AMAALA. She brings over a decade of experience within Saudi Arabia's luxury hospitality landscape.
• Nicolas Dubort has been appointed as Managing Director at Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. He has 25 years of experience across the world's most prestigious hotel brands including Four Seasons, The Peninsula, Dorchester Collection, Waldorf Astoria, and Mandarin Oriental.
• Zeynep Peker Prakatur has been appointed as Area Commercial Director at Raffles UAE. She brings a wealth of commercial expertise and leadership to her new role.
• Mike Kistner has been appointed as Chief of Staff at Robosize ME. He will work closely with the executive team to drive strategic initiatives, enhance organizational alignment, and deepen engagement with hotel groups and technology partners.
• Luigi Lionetti has been appointed as Executive Chef at Ara Maris. He brings with him decades of experience, including the achievement and stewardship of a Michelin star in 2020.
• Adam Baylis–Waterlow has been appointed as General Manager at British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England. He will oversee the strategic management, operations, and both guest and employee experience for the British Pullman.
• Aya Hanova has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at EVOK Hotels Collection. She brings over 18 years' experience gained within leading five‐star hotels across Europe and the Middle East.
• Alistair Campbell has been appointed as General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly. He will work closely with the Valor Hospitality leadership team to ensure guest satisfaction is maximised.
• Guillaume Ranvier has been appointed as General Manager at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. He will now bring his expertise and ultra-luxury experience to one of Monaco’s most iconic hotels.
• Ignacio Granda Gallego has been promoted as Group Culinary Director at Riu Hotels & Resorts. He has an experience of 14 years as Corporate Chef.

Asia

• Winston Gong has been appointed as General Manager at Avani Kota Kinabalu. He will lead end-to-end operations for the 352-key hotel, including 22 suites, alongside a diversified food and beverage offering and meetings facilities.
• Juan Losada has been appointed as General Manager at Regent Phu Quoc. He was responsible for developing the hotel strategy, shaping the product, and positioning the resort as an ultra-luxury brand in the Vietnamese and Asian markets.
• Stephen Lancaster has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo. He brings an international perspective shaped by experience in some of the world's most distinguished kitchens, including Midsummer House in Cambridge and Oaxen Krog in Stockholm.
• Deepmala Chaudhary has been promoted to General Manager – Sales & Revenue at The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group. She will oversee Sales and Revenue functions, leading integrated strategies across rooms, food & beverage, MICE, and digital revenue streams.
• Ishwinder Gill has been appointed as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune. He will focus on further enhancing the hotel's luxury positioning, operational excellence, and guest experience.
• Sanu Sadanandan has been appointed as General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport. He will oversee overall strategy and operations, driving business growth while maintaining the brand's recognized service standards.
• Shaji Pampalayam has been appointed as Chief Wellness Officer at Dharana. He has 25 years of global experience across India, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
• Poonam Singh Veliath has been appointed as General Manager at Dharana. She has 25 years of leadership experience in luxury hospitality and wellness, having held senior roles across globally recognised brands.
• Etienne Dalançon has been appointed as General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur. He brings a wealth of international experience, having held senior leadership roles in luxury hotels across Asia and Europe.
• Manoj Ramisetti has been appointed as General Manager at Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra. He will lead day-to-day operations, elevate the hotel's F&B offering, and further establish the hotel as one of Canberra's premier destinations for business and leisure travellers alike.
• Andreas Streiber has been appointed as General Manager at Shangri-La Colombo. He brings a proven track record of elevating guest and colleague engagement, strengthening operational excellence, and delivering sustainable financial performance.
• Jackson Kirkwood-Dowd has been appointed as Director of Rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. He will oversee the rooms division, drive the butler vision and help to direct local offerings under Raffles' global 'The Butler Did It' campaign.
• Craig Bond has been appointed as Chief Operating Office (COO) at Pan Pacific Hotels Group. He will work closely with the Group's executive leadership team to translate strategy into execution, strengthen operational discipline, build talent capability across regions.
• Antonia Mitic has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at JOALI Maldives. She brings an international career shaped across the UK, UAE, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and global cruise lines.


• Kevin Fawkes has been appointed as Executive Chef at Six Senses Kanuhura. He brings three decades of international experience spanning Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean.
• Anne-Gaëlle Soobaya has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Six Senses Kanuhura. She brings extensive international experience in luxury hospitality, with a career shaped by strategic excellence, guest-centric innovation, and team development.
• José Martins dos Santos has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Fairmont The Palm. He is particularly passionate about strengthening human connection across the resort ensuring that guests and Heartists alike experience warmth, empathy, and a genuine sense of belonging.
• Lana Ghwani Zananiri has been appointed as Global Director of Sales & Marketing at JOALI. She will oversee global sales, marketing, communications, and brand strategy across the JOALI portfolio.
• Simone Biles has been appointed as Global Wellness Ambassador at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. She will collaborate with Mandarin Oriental's Wellness Board, sharing her insights and perspectives with the Group's recognised specialists.
• Kung Teong Wah has been appointed as Cluster General Manager at Pan Pacific Hotels Group. He will continue to lead Parkroyal Collection Pickering while assuming strategic oversight of Parkroyal on Beach Road.
• Ruwan Nalindra has been appointed as Executive Chef at Vakkaru Maldives. He oversees all culinary operations across the resort’s portfolio of restaurants and bars, including Amaany, Isoletta, Onu, Cabana, Lagoon Bar, and Anguru Teppanyaki.
• Naufal Naeem Mohamed has been appointed as Cluster Director of Sales at Pulse Hotels & Resorts. He will oversee sales direction and market strategy for both island resorts, with a focus on driving sustainable revenue and deepening partner engagement.​

South America​

• Kevin Pretorius has been appointed as Managing Director South America Lodges, Camps and Yachts & Growth at &Beyond. He will move to Santiago, Chile from South Africa to lead andBeyond's lodge and expedition yacht growth in South America.

­­Carribean​

• Patrick Schori has been appointed as General Manager at Alila Mayakoba.  He will oversee all aspects of the resort's operations, shaping the guest experience while stewarding the brand's values within the unique context of Mayakoba.
• Lorenzo Maestripieri has been appointed as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla. He went on to hold several leadership roles across the property, including In-Room Dining, Lounge Manager, and Restaurant General Manager.
• Saurabh Mishra has been appointed as Senior Vice President and General Manager at Atlantis Paradise Island. He will focus on elevating personalized guest journeys, enhancing service and operational excellence, fostering exceptional team development.
• Mahmoud Mohamed has been appointed as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. He has served as the Director of Rooms at both Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and the Forbes Five‑Star Fairmont Pacific Rim, further expanding his experience in complex.
• Patricia Alvarez has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at W Punta Cana. She has led comprehensive commercial strategies encompassing brand positioning, digital marketing, public relations, revenue collaboration, and key account management.

Middle East / Africa​

• Klaus Assmann has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Middle East, India and South East Asia at United Hospitality Management (UHM). He will continue to oversee UHM's diverse portfolio and its comprehensive lifestyle ecosystem.
• Saloni Mehta has been appointed as Director of People & Culture at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. She brings extensive experience across luxury hospitality, joining the property from Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, where she most recently served as Director of Human Resources.
• Ersev Demiroz has been appointed as General Manager at Park Hyatt Dubai. He will play a key role in further enhancing Park Hyatt Dubai's standing as one of the region's leading luxury resorts.
• Kai Winkler has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh. He takes over the leadership of the property following a successful chapter led by Leon Baum, who transfers within Four Seasons after guiding the resort through a major expansion.
• Milan Jajčanin has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Avani+ Barbarons Seychelles. He will oversee day-to-day operations across the 192-key resort, working closely with the leadership team to drive operational discipline and enhance guest satisfaction.
• Brenda Magome has been appointed as Spa Manager at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg. She will lead the spa's vision, standards and guest experience, aligning the offering with Four Seasons' global commitment.
• Jason King has been appointed as Managing Director Southern Africa Lodges & Asia Growth at &Beyond. He will lead lodge operations across Southern Africa, spearheading frontier conservation business development initiatives in Africa.
• Brendan Streak has been promoted to Managing Director South Africa Lodges at &Beyond. He is responsible for Phinda Private Game Reserve, Ngala Private Game Reserve and the continued evolution of the brand's founding landscapes.
• Niall Anderson has been appointed as  Chief Operating Officer Lodges, Camps & Yachts at &Beyond. He is now responsible for andBeyond's global lodge, camp and yacht portfolio, ensuring one consistent standard, strategy and guest experience.
• Mohamad Daanish Khan has been appointed as Director of Outside Catering at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. He will lead the hotel's Outside Catering division, shaping innovative concepts and ensuring flawless execution.
• Elif Yazoglu has been appointed as General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences. She has been working closely with the existing leadership team, focusing on continuity, collaboration and steady progress.
• Matthew Piercy has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at InterContinental Muscat. His focus will be on creating memorable dining experiences that not only meet but exceed guest expectations.
• Ryan Cornelio has been appointed as Commercial Director at InterContinental Muscat. He brings a wealth of experience across Asia and the Middle East.
• Frederik Van den Borre has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort. He will oversee the resort's strategy and day-to-day operations, focusing on enhancing the guest experience, strengthening commercial performance.
• Jaroslav Hoznourek has been appointed as Director of Food & Drinks at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah. He will oversee strategy and performance across Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah's collection of outlets.
• Kseniya Mamedova has been appointed as Cluster Front Office Manager at Novotel Dubai Al Barsha and Aparthotel Adagio Premium Dubai Al Barsha. She will oversee front office operations across the 666-room hotels and serviced apartments.
• Anders Groenholm has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas. He will oversee all culinary operations across the resort, with responsibility for driving innovation, maintaining quality standards and shaping the overall dining experience for guests.
• Roxanne Castillo has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah. She will oversee the hotel's day-to-day operations, supporting continued growth while ensuring Hilton's guest-first philosophy remains front and centre.
• Daniel Worsley has been appointed as Vice President, Hotel Operations at Atlantis The Royal. He oversees the Rooms Division with a strong emphasis on personalisation, operational excellence, and service culture transformation.
• Nawaf Hasan has been appointed as Cluster General Manager at Grand Mercure Dubai City and ibis Styles Dubai Airport. He will oversee all aspects of operations for both properties, ensuring adherence to Accor's high standards while championing innovation and personalized service.