remarkable women in hospitality industry
- Tatiana Morfin
- Mar 5
- 6 min read
The hospitality industry thrives on exceptional service, innovation, and leadership—qualities that women around the world continue to exemplify. From luxury resorts to global hotel chains, women are shaping the future of hospitality, breaking barriers, and redefining excellence.
In this blog, we celebrate the achievements of inspiring women who hold key leadership positions in some of the most prestigious hotel brands worldwide. Their vision, resilience, and commitment to excellence not only drive business success but also pave the way for future generations of women in the industry.
Join us as we highlight their stories, contributions, and the impact they have on the ever-evolving world of hospitality.
Maud Bailly
She has extensive experience in finance, transportation, and digital transformation. After studying modern literature and public administration, she began her career at the General Inspectorate of Finance, working on audits for the World Bank and IMF. In 2015, she joined the French Prime Minister’s office, focusing on economic and digital affairs. In 2017, she became Accor’s Chief Digital Officer, leading digital transformation and customer experience strategies. She contributed to France’s digital transition through the French Digital Council. By 2020, she was the CEO for Southern Europe at Accor, and in 2023, she became CEO of Sofitel, MGallery, and Emblems, joining Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle Executive Committee. She is also passionate about coaching and teaching, focusing on performance, digital transformation, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Sonia Cheng
Leads a skilled team at the Rosewood Hotel Group, driving its regional and international expansion. She also serves as an executive director of New World Development Company Limited and holds director roles at New World China Land Limited and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group. Additionally, she is an independent non-executive director at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and a non-executive director for Giordano International Limited. Before joining Rosewood, Ms. Cheng worked at a major international investment bank and an American private equity firm, focusing on real estate investments. She is a member of the Thirteenth Guangdong Provincial Committee of The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and serves on the council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Ms. Cheng holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Mathematics with a concentration in Economics from Harvard University.
Allison Keppy
Serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Four Seasons, responsible for the company’s financial health, including planning, analysis, corporate accounting, tax, treasury, reporting, and operations finance. She values strong relationships in finance and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team to maintain financial stability and achieve long-term goals. Allison joined Four Seasons in 2019, bringing extensive experience from senior roles at Amica Matura Lifestyles Inc., FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Canwest Broadcasting, and Alliance Atlantis Communications. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and has been a Chartered Public Accountant since 1998.
Susan Santiago
Is passionate about driving growth and ensuring that Hyatt's owned and managed properties perform at their best. With an impressive 32 years of experience at Hyatt, she has worn many hats and gained valuable insights along the way. Santiago’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring, as she has embraced various roles that emphasize operational excellence. Most recently, she brought her expertise to the role of Senior Vice President of Hyatt's Lifestyle Division and the Miraval brand. In this position, she focused on creating wonderful guest experiences and expanding Hyatt’s presence in the wellness space. Her innovative ideas and dedication to her work have helped Hyatt stand out in the hospitality industry, fostering a culture of success and collaboration.
Joan Bottarini
Has been with Hyatt since 2000, where she has held various key roles, including Senior Vice President of Finance for the Americas and Vice President of Hotel Finance for the Asia Pacific region. Before joining Hyatt, she was the Controller of Development Finance at Essex Property Trust and began her career at KPMG. Living in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, Jared, and their two children, Jayne and Josh, Joan enjoys running, reading, and entertaining friends and family. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Katherine Lugar
Oversees global communications, government relations, ESG initiatives, and the Hilton Global Foundation. She joined Hilton in 2023 after serving as President and CEO of the American Beverage Association, where she led sustainability and health initiatives. Prior to this, Katherine was the President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, where she enhanced membership and advocacy efforts. Her career began in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide, and she has held leadership roles at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Travelers Insurance, and the National Retail Federation.
Tina Edmundson
Is a talented brand architect with over 25 years of experience in inspiring travel. Known for launching and transforming brands, she oversees the strategy for Marriott International’s luxury portfolio, which includes The Ritz-Carlton, BVLGARI Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis, and W Hotels. Tina is dedicated to shaping the future of luxury travel. Previously, she served as the Global Brand and Marketing Officer, where she ensured that Marriott’s diverse portfolio of 30 hotel brands and the Marriott Bonvoy travel platform remained distinctive and relevant. Tina graduated from the University of Bombay in India and holds an MBA in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of Houston..
Debbie Totten
Joined Marriott team in 2022 and brings nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. At Marriott Vacations Worldwide, she specializes in building and nurturing brands that foster consumer loyalty. She is passionate about creating memorable brand experiences using data-driven insights to craft integrated campaigns for diverse customer segments. Totten values the unique skills that everyone brings, striving for excellence in both in-house and partner creative agencies. Previously, Totten served as Vice President of Brand, Communications, and Creative Delivery at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, as well as VP of Brand and Communications at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. She also worked at Marriott International as the Director of Brand Communications and holds a degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from the Paier College of Art. We’re excited to have her on board!
Christobelle Yi Ching Liao
Ms. Liao joined the team in 2002 as Company Secretary and General Counsel. She became a member of the Group Management Board in 2011 and was promoted to Group Director of Corporate and Legal in 2013, all while handling her Company Secretary duties. Over the years, she has taken on a broader role, overseeing corporate functions like insurance, risk management, and governance, as well as the investment in Istanbul and the WorkPlace 2025 initiative. Now, as Executive Director, she also leads the Projects Group and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability efforts.
Michele Allen
Prior to this role, she was the Executive Vice President and Treasurer, where she effectively managed capital markets, global cash management, risk management, and business intelligence. Before the spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide, Michele held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance at Wyndham Worldwide, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, financial analysis, and strategy. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Michele has advanced through various financial leadership roles at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and its predecessors. Her professional journey began as an independent auditor at Deloitte, where she earned her CPA designation. Michele’s extensive expertise and approachable personality make her a valuable member of the team.
MELISSA SALIBRI
Is the driving force behind Kerzner’s people strategy, bringing over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience. She focuses on enhancing organizational efficiency, employee engagement, and performance management. With a Master of Science in Organizational and Business Psychology from the University of Liverpool and certifications in Brain-Based Coaching, MBTI, and NLP, she is well-equipped for her role. Prior to Kerzner, Melissa held leadership positions at Kempinski Hotels and the FRHI Corporate Office, managing HR operations across the Middle East, Africa, and India, and fostering positive change within the organization.
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