STOCKHOLM—Vanessa Butani has been appointed new Director of Sustainable Business at Scandic Hotels. Vanessa has broad experience from working with sustainability, corporate strategy and business development, most recently at Electrolux and before that with Plan International and Accenture. She will start her new position at Scandic Hotels in March. Scandic is known for its sustainability initiatives and has had a great influence on the hotel industry when it comes to reducing environmental impact. “I’m excited to be able to take Scandic to the next level of leadership within both environmental and social sustainability,” Butani says. Scandic has worked with a clear...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas announced that Jeffery Smith has been promoted to Vice President, Sustainability from his former role of Director of Sustainability. He takes over the position from Amber Marie Beard who will consult on special projects. Since joining Six Senses in 2016, Smith has been an integral part in supporting the group’s leadership position in sustainable hospitality. He spearheaded the redevelopment of the group’s Earth Lab concept with sustainability leaders from across all Six Senses properties and lead the first Six Senses Sustainability Conference. He continuously coordinates closely with both Technical Services and Operations to ensure that...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Doug Gatlin as CEO effective January 16, 2018. “We are delighted to have someone with Doug’s experience and 25-year track record in sustainability take the helm of Green Seal at this important time,” said Green Seal Board Chair, Dr. Joanne Fox-Przeworski. She noted that Gatlin has played a pivotal role in the development of two of the most widely recognized voluntary environmental certification programs, namely the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star. “Doug’s personal passion and experience in the arena, along...

Name: Claire Cutting Title: Director, Sustainability Company: Marriott International, Inc. Years in Position: One Primary Responsibilities: “My whole focus is on integrating Marriott’s and Starwood’s sustainability programs. We are trying to make one and one equal three. For example, we both had housekeeping and seafood programs but putting them together can be a real challenge. We are combining the best of both worlds. Each company had its own set of goals. It is like matching apples to oranges.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Launching Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, Marriott’s new Sustainability and Social Impact Platform. Our goals are huge. It was...

BETHESDA, MD.—JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts announced its partnership with Nora Tobin, naming the health and wellness leader as the brand’s Wellness Ambassador. This partnership stems from JW Marriott’s commitment to the guest passion of well-being, offering busy business and leisure travelers alike new ways to live healthy, fulfilling lives on the road. The collaboration introduces elevated and approachable ways to exercise both body and mind. “We are excited to welcome Nora Tobin as JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts’ Wellness Ambassador, arming our guests with a variety of ways to live well while traveling”, said Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President &...

BALTIMORE—Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced the appointment of Juan Webster as General Manager of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore Inner Harbor. Since opening in downtown Baltimore in 2009, Hotel Monaco Baltimore, home of the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad headquarters, has been recognized as a one-of-a-kind upscale boutique hotel known for its sleek design, exceptional service, and delicious cuisine from adjoining restaurant B&O American Brasserie. Most recently, the hotel was named the Best Hotel in Maryland by Southern Living magazine on its 2017 South’s Best List. In his new role at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Baltimore, Webster will be responsible for leading and...

Name: Amanda Sturgeon Title: CEO Organization: International Living Future Institute Primary Responsibilities: “My primary responsibilities are to see us being successful in terms of our mission—creating a world filled with living buildings and living communities. My role is to grow the organization, scale our programs, and widen the reach of our programs. We are very innovative—pushing the edge to what may be possible—and pushing people farther than they think they can go.” BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASH.—As CEO of the International Living Future Institute, Amanda Sturgeon oversees an organization that operates the Living Building Challenge, the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard, and Declare, an...

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Skirvin Hilton Hotel announced Marissa Raglin as its sixth artist-in-residence. Raglin, an accomplished visual artist, will work from the historic hotel’s studio space for one year to showcase her artistic talents. In its sixth year, the Skirvin Paseo Artist Creativity Exposition, or S.P.A.C.E., is a unique urban artist-in-residency program in which emerging visual artists who are members of the Paseo Arts Assn. can apply for a yearlong on-site residency in Oklahoma City’s premier downtown landmark hotel. The Skirvin’s selection committee, consisting of leaders in the local art community from the Paseo Art Assn. and representatives of The Skirvin Hilton Hotel, selected Raglin from...

GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA—Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, the only Forbes Five-Star luxury resort in Central and South America, has named Michael Mestraud as the General Manager. A Four Seasons veteran, Mestraud brings to his role vast, international luxury hospitality experience. He will oversee all operations for the acclaimed property, which is presently underway with a $35 million re-imagination that will bring a striking new interpretation of modern eco-luxury to Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast in December 2017. “I am thrilled to join the team at this unique resort that celebrates the rare beauty and alluring mystique of...

PUNTA MITA, MEXICO—Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, a five-star luxury resort tucked into the lush landscape of the Riviera Nayarit, announced a culinary partnership with celebrated vegan chef and healthy living educator Leslie Durso to create new plant-based offerings at the resort’s three dining destinations—Aramara, Bahia by Richard Sandoval and Ketsi. Inspired by a commitment to fresh, local ingredients and a desire to cater to an array of healthy lifestyles, the resort is elevating its vegan dining with the addition of 25 new innovative, plant-based dishes designed by Durso, including appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. “Through our partnership with the talented Leslie Durso we...