Global Hospitality Leadership Shakes Up: Key Executive Appointments Announced Across Major Hotels and Resorts

The global hospitality sector is experiencing a significant wave of leadership transitions, with top-tier hotel groups, luxury resorts, and independent properties announcing key executive appointments. From strategic regional management roles and property openings to culinary and commercial leadership shifts, these moves highlight the industry’s continued focus on elevating guest experiences, driving commercial growth, and expanding operational excellence across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Executive Leadership and General Manager Appointments

At the corporate level, Lore Group has named Kristie Rasheed as its new managing director for U.S. Hotels. In her new role, Rasheed will take charge of Lore Group’s domestic portfolio, which includes high-profile properties such as Riggs Washington DC, Lyle Washington DC, and Hotel Park Ave NYC. Rasheed brings more than two decades of hospitality expertise to the position. Her extensive background includes her most recent tenure as vice president of operations at Olympia Hospitality, where she successfully managed a diverse portfolio comprising over 40 hotels.

In California, the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel has welcomed Mitchell Duggan as its general manager. Duggan boasts more than 23 years of progressive leadership experience within the hospitality sector. His career highlights include serving as the opening director of food and beverage at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, and most recently holding the position of hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.

Similarly, The Ranch at Laguna Beach has appointed RJ Bear as general manager to oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations. Bear brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to the role, maintaining a history with the property that dates back to 2014 when he joined its pre-opening team as the food and beverage manager.

International expansion and luxury resort management are also seeing notable changes. ORA Hospitality has appointed Kevin Carty as the general manager of the Silversands Collection in Grenada. In this role, Carty will lead the sister properties Silversands Grand Anse and Silversands Beach House. He transitioned to Silversands from the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where he previously served as general manager.

In Southern California, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina has announced Rhanda Richardson as its new general manager. Richardson will be responsible for overseeing all operations at the expansive 1,366-room property. She arrives at the San Diego marina resort after serving as the general manager of the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort.

At the OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort, Meghan Lee has been promoted to the position of resort manager. Lee will now direct daily operations, business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance improvement initiatives at the property. She previously served as the resort’s director of sales and marketing since 2024, a title she also held prior with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

Looking ahead to future developments, the Dorchester Collection has announced the appointment of Richard Cooke as the general manager of the iconic Hotel Bel-Air, effective January 1, 2027. Cooke joins the property from Rocco Forte Hotels, where he served as managing director for the UK and Northern Europe, bringing more than 30 years of international luxury hospitality experience to the post.

In Mexico, The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai has appointed Armando Campos as general manager to direct property operations. Campos brings over two decades of industry experience, most recently coming from his role as managing director of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel.

Evok Collection has likewise lined up leadership for an upcoming European launch, appointing Francesca Tozzi as the general manager of Brach Roma. Set to open in April 2027, Tozzi will lead all stages of the hotel’s pre-opening phase. She brings over 25 years of experience, including more than four years leading Six Senses Rome, where she managed that property’s 18-month pre-opening and subsequent 2023 launch.

Further leadership shifts across individual properties include the Heathman Hotel appointing Daryn Cyrus as managing director to direct overall operations and strategic direction. Meanwhile, the property also welcomed Paige Carlson as director of sales and marketing to focus on group, corporate, and leisure segments, and Tyler Groom as restaurant general manager to manage the day-to-day operations of Bar Sprezzatura, Michael Mina, and The Mina Group’s Italian-inspired culinary concepts.

Commercial, Sales, and Marketing Strategy

Commercial and sales leadership appointments are also reinforcing properties across key urban and resort markets. Mission Pacific Beach Resort and The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa have appointed Jeff Graham as area director of sales and marketing. Graham will spearhead the commercial strategy for both resorts across luxury leisure, group, and social segments. His career spans senior commercial roles with prominent organizations, including Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and the Irvine Company in Newport Beach.

In Nashville, Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown has named Daniel Camp as its new director of sales and marketing. Camp brings over 12 years of hospitality sales experience, joining the downtown property from Chartwell Hospitality, where he spent three years as an area director of sales and marketing.

Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas has added Joe Alegre as director of sales and marketing. Alegre brings more than 30 years of hospitality background, including a 25-year tenure with Hyatt. Most recently, he served as the director of sales, events, and marketing at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, and will now manage initiatives for the 531-room resort.

InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta has also strengthened its commercial and operations team with the appointment of Stephanie Gustafson as director of sales and marketing and Kristian La Plante as director of food and beverage. Gustafson brings over 25 years of experience to lead sales, marketing, and revenue growth, while La Plante brings more than 22 years of experience to oversee culinary operations, catering, and restaurant strategy.

Culinary and Events Leadership

Culinary artistry and event execution remain central to guest satisfaction at premier destinations, prompting several key chef and director appointments. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa has appointed Davide Allievi as executive chef. With over 15 years of experience spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Maldives, Allievi’s background includes leadership roles at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Grand Hyatt Bali, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, and The Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou. He joins the resort following his most recent position as executive chef at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.

In Tennessee, Bourbon Steak Nashville—located within the JW Marriott Nashville—has announced the return of Dmitriy Kakuschke as executive chef. Kakuschke, who was part of the restaurant’s original opening team, returns after spending nearly a decade in culinary leadership positions across Nashville, Dubai, and South Florida. He will now direct all culinary operations for the venue.

Caribbean culinary operations are also seeing high-profile leadership, with The Pyrmont Curaçao, an Autograph Collection All-Inclusive, appointing Martijn Liebregts as executive chef. Liebregts will manage seven distinct dining and bar concepts, including the resort’s signature fine-dining establishment, Cerro Bonito. Additionally, the resort named Tirza Garmes as multi-property human resources director to establish and develop the property’s HR department, drawing on her more than two decades of industry experience.

In the events sector, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has named Jessica St. Charles as its director of events. St. Charles brings over twenty years of experience, most recently serving as director of meetings, special events, and destination services at Terranea Resort. She will now oversee the resort’s events team across 100,000 square feet of meeting and celebration space.

Corporate Portfolio Management and Industry Organizations

On the broader corporate management front, Meyer Jabara Hotels (MJH) has appointed Jared Karras as senior vice president of operations for its newly established Full-Service and Lifestyle Division. Karras brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to MJH, where he will oversee 14 branded and independent properties under Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt flags. He joins Senior Vice President of Operations James Kirkland, who continues to manage the company’s Focus Service division.

The Rosewood Hotel Group has announced a trio of corporate leadership appointments. Friedrich von Schönburg has been promoted to vice president of operations for ACPAC and operations excellence globally; Gaye Gibson has been appointed as vice president of retail and partnerships; and Sam Cooper has been named vice president of global wellness.

Finally, in hospitality associations and publishing, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has appointed Robert Firpo-Cappiello as director of communications and promoted Christina Van Allen to managing editor of Hospitality Upgrade. Firpo-Cappiello will direct the organization’s communications strategy across publications, digital channels, and industry events, including the flagship HITEC conference. Van Allen’s promotion honors her ongoing editorial work and dedication to delivering industry coverage to the publication’s readership.