Name: Theresa van Greunen Title: Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications Company: Aqua-Aston Hospitality Years in Current Position: Two (with Aqua-Aston since 2015) Primary Responsibilities: “I play a unique role. The company has allowed me to carve out my own initiatives. I often partner with the operations team. I have been able to create new initiatives. Strategy is a big part of my job and keeping my ear to the ground and knowing what we can make positive change around.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “Developing the corporate social responsibility program, Advocate with Aqua-Aston, and most notably, the #ForOurReef campaign.” Organization’s most significant...

STOCKHOLM—Bitte Ferngren, Senior Vice President Human Resources & Sustainability, has decided to explore new opportunities outside of Scandic. Ferngren will continue working in her current position until the end of May. Scandic has initiated the process to find a replacement. Since October 2019, Ferngren has been part of Scandic’s Executive Management Team with responsibility for HR and sustainability initiatives. She is now leaving this role to start a new position at an international company within the finance sector. Ferngren has contributed to Scandic’s ability to make significant changes in its operations in a short period of time, which has been absolutely...

Name: Yalmaz Siddiqui Title: V.P., Corporate Sustainability Company: MGM Resorts International Years in Current Position: Four Primary Responsibilities: “The main ones are to think about what the company should focus on. What should the company prioritize? To initiate new ideas. To start new things. To integrate the preferable habits and practices so they become normal. Partnering with marketing and social media to communicate.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in the area of global corporate responsibility: “There are many but our decision to create CityCenter—which was the world’s largest privately funded LEED certified development when it opened in 2009.” Organization’s most significant challenge moving forward in the...

DALLAS—LEO A DALY, the global planning, architecture, engineering and interiors firm, announced that Ellen Mitchell-Kozack, AIA, LEED BD+C, WELL AP, SEED, has joined the firm as Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer. In this role, she leads LEO A DALY’s strategic initiatives in sustainable design worldwide, including Environmental Social & Governance, alignment with the UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint assessment and social impact. She is based in the firm’s Dallas design studio. Mitchell-Kozack is a nationally recognized voice in sustainability and public interest design. As Senior Vice President, Director of Sustainability at HKS, she led the firm’s...

BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES—Amilla Fushi, Maldives has appointed Victoria Kruse to the newly created position of Sustainability Manager, underlining a major new focus on sustainability and the environment as the new decade begins. Embodying the resort’s vision of becoming a leader and innovator for sustainable tourism in the Maldives, Kruse is already proving an invaluable asset in driving and developing an ambitious program of eco initiatives throughout 2020. Kruse returned to the Maldives in October 2019 after two and half years at Six Senses Fiji, where she was responsible for running the Wellness Kitchen for the newly launched resort. It was during this tenure...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, food safety and public health technologies and services, recently announced that Emilio Tenuta has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sustainability. Tenuta leads Ecolab’s global sustainability programs and strategies. His work has helped advance greater understanding of the impacts of global water scarcity and the solutions available for better water management. He continues to lead the development of unique diagnostic and planning tools for broad industry use, such as the Water Risk Monetizer and Smart Water Navigator. Tenuta began his career with the company more than 35 years ago and has...

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Dan McGowan, General Manager, Fairmont San Jose announced that Jackie Dacanay, Director of Talent & Culture, has been named California Hotel & Lodging Association’s Women in Lodging Connect Leader of the Year. This award is bestowed upon a female hospitality professional who serves as a leader and role model within the hotel community. This award is not about the amount of experience or the title, but rather how time is spent in the industry. California Hotel & Lodging Association’s (CHLA’s) Stars of the Industry Awards honor the lodging employees and properties that best symbolize the quality service of...

Name: Catherine Dolton Title: Vice President, Global Corporate Responsibility Company: IHG Years in Current Position: 1+ years Primary Responsibilities: “My primary job is working with our team—making sure everything we do is embedded in operations. I also work on collaborations—with ITP, AHLA and other organizations.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in the area of global corporate responsibility: “Our bulk amenities announcement—a real mark in the sand. I came into my role at the end of 2018. We made the announcement in July 2019. It shows the power of IHG. It is companies like ours that need to take the lead.” Organization’s most significant challenge moving forward...

PARIS—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced a new Global Brand Ambassador—the Oscar-winning actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Susan Sarandon. In this unique role, Sarandon will star in a global brand campaign that will portray the transformative power of travel, connecting Fairmont’s history and majestic hotels with modern sensibilities and the dreams of a new generation of travelers. The campaign is expected to be revealed in key markets around the world in spring 2020. “Fairmont and Susan Sarandon share a spirit of adventure, a passion for thinking globally and acting locally, and a history of turning words into action,” said Sharon Cohen, Vice...

BANGKOK—Mark Sands has been promoted to Vice President of Wellness at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. Joining the group in 2011 as Area Spa Director, Sands played a significant role in creating and launching many of the brand’s wellness initiatives, while successfully leading spa operations. He’s been working closely with the technical services team on many aspects of spa development and most recently supported the launch of Mission Wellness, the group-wide host well-being initiative. Prior to joining Six Senses, Sands worked at the world-renowned Ananda in the Himalayas for six years. A fan of traditional medicine, in particular Ayurveda, Sand’s...