LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts announced the appointment of Erik Hansen as the company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. In this newly-created role, Hansen is responsible for the development of the company’s global sustainability strategy and energy procurement goals. “Erik has proven to be a visionary as we continue to deepen our company’s sustainability strategy and make monumental moves towards taking control of our energy future,” said Kim Sinatra, EVP and General Counsel for Wynn Resorts. “His experience extends across all facets of environmental protection and government regulation, and his understanding of cutting-edge technologies will continue to shape our use of a new...

Name: Samantha Sorrin Title: Director of Responsibility Company: Saunders Hotel Group & EcoLogical Solutions Years in Current Position: seven months Primary Responsibilities: “I might be screening a new lightbulb, organizing a fundraiser, or going to a fitness class we offer to employees. No two days are the same.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “One of the most impressive is the managerial team doing its part. We also have a sustainable purchasing policy. It is built into operations here. It is really impressive.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “Industry-wide, waste is becoming a much bigger issue. Recycling has gotten stricter. Recycling hauls are being...

MACAO—Las Vegas Sands Corp. has named May Wu Yee Mei the winner of The Mr. Sheldon G. and Dr. Miriam Adelson Citizenship Award presented by Sands Cares. Wu is a team member at The Venetian Macao, and has been working for the company for 10 years. LVS’s global citizenship award was established and inaugurated last year through Sands Cares, the company’s corporate giving program, to recognize team members across all regions who have demonstrated a dedication to giving back to their local communities and important causes. The award was created to honor the Adelson family’s long-term commitment to philanthropy and...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts announces Corrine Clement as Vice President of the company’s new Culture and Community Department, which supports diversity and inclusion, gender equality, fair treatment in the workplace, and employee charitable efforts in the communities Wynn Resorts serves. “Wynn Resorts gives every employee the same opportunity for professional growth and unlimited success,” said Matt Maddox, CEO of Wynn Resorts. “Now more than ever we are committed to ensuring equality, creating leaders, and giving back to the communities in which we operate. The launch of our Culture and Community Department speaks to this promise and will help us continue to...

ROHNERT PARK, CALIF.—DoubleTree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country is proud to recognize Jessica Kerns, Banquet Bartender, for achieving the 2017 CEO Light & Warmth Award. This award is the highest honor the company offers and is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate exceptional Team Members and franchisee employees who embody the company’s vision and mission, as well as its values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership and Now. In 2017, nearly 1,000 Team Members from across Hilton’s managed and franchise network from around the world were nominated by their fellow colleagues for demonstrating the Hilton values at work and beyond....

LONDON—ITP—the International Tourism Partnership—has recruited a new director who will step into the position June 4, 2018. Madhu Rajesh has been appointed and will follow Fran Hughes as director. Rajesh joins ITP from Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), where she is currently Director of Partnerships & Development, prior to which she was Director of Development & Partnerships at The British Asian Trust for nearly five years, working on a range of development issues including human trafficking and youth employment. Rajesh spent the first decade of her career in the travel industry, with international experience working for Hilton, Marriott,...

Name: Laura Abshire Title: Director of Sustainability Policy and Government Affairs Organization/Location: National Restaurant Assn./Washington D.C. Years in Position: 5+ years Primary Responsibilities: “I view my role as someone who is increasing education around sustainability—monitoring everything around the sustainability space and how it impacts our members.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “The NRA has done a lot of work linking sustainability efforts with restaurateurs and their daily operations. Raising awareness and inspiring action has been a very big accomplishment.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “There is so much more work to be done to educate members on sustainability. The lack of infrastructure for...

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...