Retired

Kate Burda’s work has been both inside the hospitality world within IHG, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott, as well as within other Fortune 500 companies, such as Medtronic and Abbott and Real Estate Investment firms. Her focus is how to accelerate revenue through Science & Strategy, Process & Customer Engagement, Art & Talent Optimization and Revenue Operations.

After 40 consecutive years working in the hospitality industry in three countries, most recently as Regional Vice President for Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts in North America, Stephen now leads his own hospitality consulting practice, and he currently serves on two boards. Darling entered the hospitality industry as a bellman in Quebec City, from where he became motivated to obtain a Hospitality Management Diploma at Concordia University.

Deborah Fell is a CMO at Chief Outsiders, a national management consulting firm that provides part-time marketing executives to growth firms and mid-sized businesses for a fraction of the price of hiring a full-time CMO. Deborah has over 30 years of experience in marketing spanning multiple industries, ranging from growth and mid-sized businesses to large global entities.

An accomplished global professional, Jean-Marc has over 42 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After successfully leading teams since 1981, he has accumulated a comprehensive understanding for hospitality operations and development on an international level. In his current role at Worldwide Hotel Development Ltd., he serves as consultant for Marriott Middle East and Africa reporting to the Marriott Head Office of Dubai.

Sandy Leandro is an exceptionally strong leader and visionary with 39 years of experience in the room and operation areas of the hospitality industry, hotels and resorts, 34 years with Marriott International/Marriott Vacation Club and 5 years with Sheraton Hotels. She has a wide-range of experience having worked at multiple hotel and resort brands as General Manager, Regional Director, and Vice President.

Michelle is the founder of McCue Marking Communications, LLC in 2009. Her company focuses on the intersections between the destination, wine and food industries and offers a blend of traditional and cutting-edge communications services to clients in these sectors. A strategic marketing communications professional, Michelle has more than a decade of experience promoting places and products.

Fred Miller formed his own consulting business after retiring from Marriott International, Inc where he held the positions of vice president, global sales and vice president, travel industry relations. Based at Marriott's headquarters in Washington D.C. Mr. Miller was responsible for establishing and maintaining the global sales offices and general sales agents in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific.

Stephanie is a results-driven hospitality professional with 15 years of experience in sales, operations and event organization for multinational hotel brands. She strives to make an impact through exceptional customer service and communication skills. Driven by her passion for the hospitality industry, tourism and most importantly, customer satisfaction, she founded Hotel Selection Experts (HSE), a hospitality company based in Costa Rica.