Leading Executives in Lodging
Ritesh Agarwal
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, OYO (OYO Rooms)
Founder-CEO who scaled OYO’s tech-enabled, franchise-led budget and midscale hotel network across Asia, Europe and the Americas; a Thiel Fellow noted for rapid, asset-light expansion and profitability push in FY26.
Geoff Ballotti
President & Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Longtime Wyndham leader who took the company public in 2018 and continues to grow the world’s largest hotel franchisor across 25+ brands with a focus on midscale and economy segments.
Sébastien Bazin
Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Accor
Architect of Accor’s asset-light pivot and Luxury & Lifestyle expansion, driving performance through a multi-portfolio brand strategy and global scale.
Anthony Capuano
President & Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International
Steered Marriott’s post‑pandemic surge and portfolio growth, including the 2025 citizenM deal to boost lifestyle footprint and net room growth.
Brian Chesky
Co‑founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb
Co‑founder who redefined global lodging through a design‑led platform connecting 5M+ hosts with travelers, now expanding into services and experiences.
Sonia Cheng
Chief Executive Officer, Rosewood Hotel Group
Visionary behind Rosewood’s modern luxury growth—residences, wellness (Asaya) and award‑winning openings from London to Asia—named among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Asia.
Larry Cuculic
President & Chief Executive Officer, BWH Hotels (Best Western, WorldHotels, SureStay)
Leads the umbrella company for Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay, driving owner‑centric strategy and a 4,300‑hotel portfolio across segments worldwide.
Federico J. González
Executive Vice Chairman (RHG); Group CEO (Louvre Hotels), Radisson Hotel Group
Radisson’s former CEO now serves as Executive Vice Chairman while also Group CEO of Louvre Hotels—credited with RHG’s transformation and portfolio growth across EMEA and APAC.
Mark Hoplamazian
President & Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Long‑tenured CEO guiding Hyatt’s asset‑light, brand‑focused strategy; recognized in 2025 as Cornell’s Hospitality Icon for industry impact and workforce initiatives.
Hui Jin
Chief Executive Officer, H World Group (Huazhu)
Heads one of the world’s largest hotel groups (H World), advancing an asset‑light expansion with aggressive new‑hotel openings and member‑driven growth in China and beyond.
Greg Juceam
President & Chief Executive Officer, Extended Stay America
ESA’s growth‑focused CEO scaling Premier Suites and Select Suites and marking the brand’s 30th anniversary with a robust new‑build pipeline.
Laurent Kleitman
Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Luxury‑brand veteran steering MOHG’s ten‑year acceleration plan to double the portfolio and elevate an Asian‑heritage, guest‑centric luxury proposition.
Elie Maalouf
Chief Executive Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts
CEO since 2023, driving returns and brand expansion—including the Ruby brand acquisition—while boosting shareholder distributions after record performance.
Christopher J. Nassetta
President & Chief Executive Officer, Hilton
At Hilton’s helm since 2007, led a brand‑led, network‑driven strategy that more than doubled the portfolio and expanded to nearly 140 countries.
Patrick Pacious
President & Chief Executive Officer, Choice Hotels International
Technology‑forward CEO who scaled Choice’s franchise platform and revenue systems—now leaning into AI to drive owner performance and development.
Dominic Paul
Chief Executive, Whitbread (Premier Inn)
Leads Premier Inn’s UK/Germany growth plan and portfolio optimization, including conversions and selective sale‑leasebacks to fund expansion.
Dillip Rajakarier
Group CEO, Minor International; CEO, Minor Hotels, Minor Hotels (Minor International)
Group CEO of MINT and CEO of Minor Hotels, overseeing global brands (Anantara, Avani, NH, Tivoli, Oaks) and large‑scale mixed‑use developments.
Alejandro Reynal
President & Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Luxury operator’s CEO advancing growth into new verticals (residences, yachts) and marquee city expansions while safeguarding Four Seasons’ service culture.
James F. Risoleo
President & Chief Executive Officer, Host Hotels & Resorts
Leads the largest U.S. lodging REIT with a disciplined, asset‑recycling strategy focused on luxury and upper‑upscale hotels and an investment‑grade balance sheet.
Craig S. Smith
Chief Executive Officer, Aimbridge Hospitality
Former Marriott International group president now leading the world’s largest third‑party hotel operator, sharpening owner partnerships and operating performance.
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