LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International recently announced that it will serve as founding sponsor of a newly formed nonprofit Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment, dedicated to women’s leadership education and empowerment. The new foundation is expected to expand the footprint of the successful Annual Women’s Leadership Conference, historically presented by The MGM Resorts Foundation in Las Vegas to other cities around the country. These conferences will focus on developing women leaders in all industries. MGM Resorts’ Phyllis A. James will leave her current post as Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity & Corporate Responsibility Officer this summer to assume presidency of...

Name: Daniella Foster Title: Senior Director, Global Corporate Responsibility Company: Hilton Years in Current Position: Two years, seven months Primary Responsibilities: “I lead global strategy, business integration, youth economic opportunity, social and environmental investments, signature partnerships and ESG reporting across Hilton’s value chain.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Last year we relaunched Travel With Purpose with 2030 goals. Part of those 2030 goals included a lot of industry firsts.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “The No. 1 challenge is to engage the guest in this journey and help them understand what sustainable travel looks like—the guest engagement piece and how we gamify that.” MCLEAN,...

SEDONA, ARIZ.—The Arabella Sedona announced the addition of Jim Monahan as the hotel’s new Director of Adventure and Events. Monahan is a skilled business leader, philanthropist and adventure enthusiast. He has extensive experience in mountain biking, trail development and is a former National Forest Service Liaison and board member of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition. Prior to joining the Arabella team, Monahan was the owner of the celebrated Sedona Bike & Bean, as well as partner in Sedona’s first true adventure hotel. In addition, he has spent countless hours working with the National Forest Service to help establish one of...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic has recruited Bitte Ferngren as its new HR and Sustainability Director and member of its Executive Committee. Bitte will join Scandic in the fall of 2019 from her previous position as the HR Director of the international insurance company RSA Scandinavia. In the last 20 years, Bitte has held senior HR positions in several major organizations, including five years at Posten Sverige AB and nine years in the Telia Group. In the last four years, she was the HR Director of insurance company RSA Scandinavia, which includes the brands Trygg Hansa and Codan. “Bitte has solid experience from work...

Amelia Cody has taken on the role of Resident Marine Biologist at Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort. Here she shares scientific insights on marine ecosystems in the Maldives and what guests curious about the underwater world can discover and do to help while staying with Outrigger. Tell us about your background. I am a marine biology graduate from the UK. I’ve had a huge passion for the ocean from a young age. I was a very motivated and driven student at Newcastle University with the goal of becoming a marine biologist. Maldives has always been a dream location for me to work....

Name: Emily Smith Title: Director, Corporate Strategy Company: Park Hotels & Resorts Years in Current Position: 2.5 years Primary Responsibilities: “I am in the corporate strategy group—a two-person team. I help investors invest in our company, work on our earnings reports, and help maintain our website. Over the past six months my job has evolved to include ESG (environmental, social, governance). ESG has become about 50 percent of my duties.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “The installation of Melink Intelli-hood systems in all kitchen exhaust and make-up units at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The savings have been incredible—an annual energy reduction savings of more...

ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA—World-renowned sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has been specially recognized by the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) for his outstanding work in creating the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park in the island. Between 2006 and 2009, Taylor founded the Park in Grenada which was listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic. His concrete sculptures based on people, history and folklore eventually become alive by supporting the sustainable growth of the colorful reefs in Molinere Bay. Subsequently, this park became a marine protected area thanks to the Government of Grenada’s pledge to preserve 20...

Gilman Figaro BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will present its “Distinguished Caribbean Citizen Award” to Gilman Figaro, Founder and Chairman of the SUNSHINE Awards, for promoting the Caribbean’s culture around the globe by gripping audiences with exciting and entertaining art forms, including dance, music and poetry. Figaro will be honored during the Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards program which recognizes excellence in promoting the Caribbean and honors individuals whose outstanding, passionate and dedicated work has contributed to the development of the region. The esteemed awards dinner takes place on Thursday, June 6, during...

Name: John Janucik Title: Executive Chef Location: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes Years in Current Position: Almost three years Primary Responsibilities: “I focus on food quality, food specs, menu development, guest satisfaction scores, event survey scores, wages, financials, associate engagement, recruiting, training, and growing talent within.” Organization’s most significant f&b-related, sustainability-related accomplishment: “Whisper Creek Farm. It is our 7,000-square-foot fruit and vegetable garden with an adjoining 11,000-square-foot outdoor event space.” Organization’s most significant f&b-related, sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “The culinary talent has shrunk greatly. The talent pool is small. Hiring good talent and developing them. Also, increasing our volume of donations to Second Harvest Food...

OAK BROOK, ILL.—The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center is putting an exclamation point on a multi-year, $25 million property wide transformation with the introduction of a new Executive Chef. Chicago-native Victor Martinez, who’s worked his way up from his father’s bistro as a teen to some of the most respected kitchens in the country, now looks to redefine hotel dining in the suburbs. By bringing an experiential, farm-to-fork culture to culinary operations at Oak Brook Hills Resort, Martinez is setting out to change the way people think about hotel food outside the city. “I see through ingredients, into...