Dear Hotelies: In recognition of our 40th reunion a few years ago, a group of classmates from the Class of 1981 started an initiative to diversify the student bodies of university hospitality programs across the nation. The article below was published on Hotel Interactive. It summarizes the progress that has been made. If you are interested in joining your classmates, feel free to reach out to me: [email protected]
AHED Joins Forces with Cornell Graduates to Diversify Hotel Industry Leadership with Intentional Recruiting
February 2, 2023
MIAMI, FL – Over the past two years, 36 alumni from the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration have come together to develop and fund a program designed to attract more disadvantaged and underrepresented Black students to study hospitality and tourism. This Cornell alumni group calls itself DREAM (Dedicated Recruitment for Hospitality Educational Equity, and Mentorship), and has initially raised $130,000 to seed AHED, led by the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU).
Based on extensive interviews conducted by the DREAM group with academic leaders of 23 North American universities, there was a unified belief that intentional recruiting was critical. The DREAM group was established to create a pathway for underrepresented minorities to pursue undergraduate hospitality management degrees to become future hospitality leaders.
In addition, there is an outsized gap in Black representation in the hospitality industry, especially in leadership positions. According to the Castell Project, a division of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), that tracks the progress of minorities within the industry, African Americans represent 17.5 percent of the total workforce in U.S. and Canadian hotels, but just 1.6 percent of the industry’s executive leadership. One part of the solution is to intentionally support and grow the number of Black students in undergraduate hospitality programs.
“By addressing the specific priorities and concerns of Black students and their families, the odds of getting them to enroll, study, and begin a career in hospitality leadership are greatly enhanced. This is particularly true when recruiting candidates facing socio-economic barriers,” said Dan Fenton, Director of Global Tourism and Destination Development for JLL and member of the Cornell Class of 1981. “Our research clearly demonstrates that intentional recruiting needs to occur out on the road in the classrooms, living rooms, and communities where the potential students reside. This is a key strategy in the AHED approach to the intentional recruiting program.”
The feedback received from hospitality program educators helped to define the features of the AHED intentional recruiting program for underprivileged Black students:
Recruiting potential applicants at high schools, community colleges, and community centers
Meeting with parents to overcome the negative perceptions of the hospitality industry
Guiding students and families through the application and financial-aid process
Providing focused scholarships to improve financial accessibility
Steering and mentoring accepted students through key decisions on housing, course selection – and throughout their four-year journey
Fostering sponsorship and allyship within academic and student-life programs
Connecting students and graduates to hospitality employers that are committed to supporting the program and a diverse management team.
“During our discussions with university leaders, it became evident schools have struggled with administrative, legal, and governance hurdles that have prevented them from implementing an intentional recruiting program on their own,” said Christopher Hunsberger, COO for Appellation Hotels and fellow member of the Cornell Class of 1981. “They believe the independence of AHED is a way to change by increasing the enrollment of Black hospitality students, and ultimately to realize the full potential of this massively underrepresented source of talent. As we see our federal courts further undermine race conscious college admissions, it becomes more important for industry leaders to step up to address this critical issue.”
“The initial response to the formation of AHED from industry leadership has been overwhelmingly positive, building our confidence that this intentional and focused initiative is long overdue and broadly embraced”, said Michael Cheng, Dean of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. “We thank the DREAM team and recognize that financial support is key in ensuring equity and diversity throughout every level of the hospitality business up to and inclusive of Senior Leadership and C-Suite.”
AHED provides an independent collaborative platform sought by university program leaders. In turn, universities must do their part by providing guidance for those Black students that meet admission requirements and enroll in hospitality management programs.
“Intentionality does not end with the recruitment process. Universities must follow through by developing systems designed to ensure the success of Black students as they enter the campus, throughout their academic career, and beyond,” said Fenton.
“The Cornell alumni group is a strong example of authentic commitment, and we believe the results of their actions will enable AHED to produce meaningful change. We commend the DREAM group for their vision and consistent support,” said Brian Barker, FIU Hospitality’s first endowed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Professor and director of AHED.
CHS Georgia Hosts Hunter Conference Reception
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumOn Tuesday, March 22, 2023, the CHS Georgia Chapter hosted its Annual Hunter Hotel Conference Reception at Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery. Our host for the event was Alan LeBlanc ’84. Approximately 35 Hotelies from across the country, and their guests, enjoyed fine food and beverages while networking and catching up. Thanks to Sam Woodworth MMH ‘16 and Jonathan Webster MMH ’21 for arranging the event.
In Memoriam – Hannah MacDonald ’22
/in In Memoriam/by Robert MandelbaumThe Cornell Hotel Society mourns the loss of Hannah MacDonald ’22, former CHS Collegiate Chapter President.
Christina Gioioso ‘24 2023 Philippus Miller III ‘83 Legacy Award Winner
/in Scholarship/by Robert MandelbaumIn 2019 the Cornell Hotel Society established the Philippus Miller III ‘83 Legacy Award. The award was designed to recognize and celebrate Phil Miller’s legacy as a builder of networks and relationships. For decades Phil was the heart of the Cornell Hotelie for Life® that is the foundation of the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS). The award is given to students that demonstrate an understanding of the spirit of Phil Miller – the importance of connecting and giving back.
The winner of the award in 2023 was Christina Gioioso ‘24. Below we share Christina’s story.
About Christina Gioioso ‘24
Growing up, Sunday pasta with family and friends was a staple at the Gioioso household. As grandma said, “there is always room at the table for guests.” This laid the foundation for Christina’s love of hospitality and service.
With both parents and a sister graduating from the Cornell School of Engineering, it was not a surprise that Christina wound up in Ithaca. However, given her sociable nature, her parents suggested she explore the Hotel School.
Christina visited the Cornell campus several times, but it was her pre-admission visit to Statler when she knew the Hotel School was the place for her. Christina had lunch at the Terrace Restaurant with Claudia Wood ’23, her student ambassador, and subsequent mentor. During lunch she was wowed by the social and hospitable environment. “Everyone knew everyone. It made a very favorable impression.”
Unfortunately, by the time Christina entered Cornell in the fall of 2020, COVID had impacted the Statler experience. Unable to gather in the classroom, it was very difficult to get to know her fellow Hotelies. It was not until her sophomore year that she fully felt the buzz and camaraderie of the Hotelie community. She served on the HEC Sales Team in 2022 and hopes to bartend during the 2023 HEC. She also works in the Hotel School Office of Student Services where she is able to foster relationships with students and visiting alumni. Outside of Statler, Christina serves as the Co-President of the Cornell Society for Women in Business. In this role she has mentored younger Hotelies, an homage to the mentoring she received from her two sisters, and countless Hotelie upperclassmen and alumni.
Prior to coming to Cornell, Christina worked as a lifeguard / member service agent at a local private club outside of Boston. During her college summers, her professional experiences have focused on real estate and finance. In 2022 she worked for Fidelity Asset Management in Boston. During the summer of 2023 she will be working in the Asset Management Division at Goldman Sachs in New York. She greatly enjoyed taking classes with Professor Dave Roberts (Introduction to Hotel Operations) and Professor Peter Liu (Principles of Real Estate), both of which contributed to her career interests.
Christina did not have the pleasure of meeting Phil Miller but has enjoyed meals in Ithaca with Phil’s widow Yasamin and other Legacy Award winners. Because of these experiences, she has gained an understanding of Phil’s appreciation for being a Hotelie for Life®. For Christina, being a Hotelie for Life® means, “a commitment to fostering connections, lending a hand, and not expecting anything in return.” She plans to continue to live this ethos after graduation.
Below is a picture of Christina (right) with her two sisters – Stephanie (left) and Katie (middle). They were attending Katie’s Cornell graduation.
* * *
The Cornell Hotel Society and Cornell Hotel Foundation congratulates Christina and welcomes her to the Hotelie for Life® network. This interview was conducted by Robert Mandelbaum ’81. As part of her award, Christina will be attending the CHS EMEA Annual Regional Meeting in Amsterdam in March 2023.
Is DEI Destined To D-I-E During the Recession? Hotel Industry Could be a Leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion By Baron Ah Moo HNN columnist November 15, 2022
/in Uncategorized/by Robert MandelbaumThe year 2020 will forever be remembered for COVID-19 and the start of the global pandemic. However, American historians had thought that the murder of George Floyd in May of that year would be an equally seminal moment in the history of our country, and the start of the human rights revolution in equity and inclusion in the U.S.
The hospitality industry — with more than 40% of its front-line workers being Black, indigenous and people of color — was well-positioned to draw from its diverse workforce and was one of the first to establish committees to discuss the challenges and bridge solutions.
Marriott International hosted Employee Town Halls and started an Emerging Leaders program targeting the advancement of minorities. Hyatt Hotels Corp. invested an additional $1 million in its RiseHY program, which offers job and training opportunities to youth in underserved communities. IHG supported the enactment of Georgia’s Hate Crime Bill.
A new U.S. president also signaled that America could be turning the corner regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. However, two years later, this transformational moment remains unrealized and is just a reminder of how difficult systemic change can be.
The industry should be fertile soil for inclusivity and change. Instead, only 20% of hotel general managers are women, 10% are minorities and 1% are Black. The reality remains that unless investor, operators and owners are incentivized or regulated by their constituents, DEI is doomed to be relegated to “event planning subcommittee” status.
Recently, I have attended several industry events centering on diversifying ownership, operations and partnerships. All have the best of intentions, but none were prepared to answer the fundamental question: “What is your target number/percentage for expanding your company’s partnerships with BIPOC investors/owners/operators?” None were ready to quantify the current number of relationships they have and, shockingly, none were ready to prescribe a growth number to it. My assumption is that these numbers are so low that they are immaterial and even embarrassing for the companies to reveal.
Thus, if these gatherings are nothing more than check-the-box, “feel-good” community events for their sponsors, and the DEI momentum is waning, what can those of us who remain passionate about the cause do to keep it alive?
I would submit that the answer lies in a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.: “The ultimate measure of a person is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Translated: Despite the lack of interest or commitment from our constituents, and regardless of the certain commercial challenges we face in this inevitable recession, those of us who continue to believe in equity need to do anything — scratch that, DO ANYTHING to bring attention to the need for diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry.
Have the difficult conversation with your staff and superiors, speak out in meetings about what your company is (or is not doing) on the subject. Restart that DEI committee, ask questions about the group’s policy and examples of successes and “opportunities.” Be pedantic and fastidious in ensuring that everything you can control is filtered through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.
If the cornerstone companies of our industry refuse to measure and manage their DEI results in the same way they meticulously monitor and quantify their shareholder returns, the only option we have is to ensure that we bring to light the change that can happen (and is not happening) and the opportunity that we have to make a difference.
Equity should not become collateral damage of the pandemic and the recession, but rather the stabilizing force that allows our hospitality industry to weather the upcoming storm.
“Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Baron R. Ah Moo has more than 30 years of experience in investment, hospitality finance and operations. Joining the PKF hospitality group in 2019, Baron leads the U.S. consulting practice and is based in New York City. This article was published on Hotel News Now on November 15, 2022.
https://www.costar.com/article/1925006147/is-dei-destined-to-d-i-e-during-the-recession
AHED Joins Forces with Cornell Graduates to Diversify Hotel Industry Leadership with Intentional Recruiting
/in Uncategorized/by Robert MandelbaumDear Hotelies: In recognition of our 40th reunion a few years ago, a group of classmates from the Class of 1981 started an initiative to diversify the student bodies of university hospitality programs across the nation. The article below was published on Hotel Interactive. It summarizes the progress that has been made. If you are interested in joining your classmates, feel free to reach out to me: [email protected]
AHED Joins Forces with Cornell Graduates to Diversify Hotel Industry Leadership with Intentional Recruiting
February 2, 2023
MIAMI, FL – Over the past two years, 36 alumni from the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration have come together to develop and fund a program designed to attract more disadvantaged and underrepresented Black students to study hospitality and tourism. This Cornell alumni group calls itself DREAM (Dedicated Recruitment for Hospitality Educational Equity, and Mentorship), and has initially raised $130,000 to seed AHED, led by the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU).
Based on extensive interviews conducted by the DREAM group with academic leaders of 23 North American universities, there was a unified belief that intentional recruiting was critical. The DREAM group was established to create a pathway for underrepresented minorities to pursue undergraduate hospitality management degrees to become future hospitality leaders.
In addition, there is an outsized gap in Black representation in the hospitality industry, especially in leadership positions. According to the Castell Project, a division of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), that tracks the progress of minorities within the industry, African Americans represent 17.5 percent of the total workforce in U.S. and Canadian hotels, but just 1.6 percent of the industry’s executive leadership. One part of the solution is to intentionally support and grow the number of Black students in undergraduate hospitality programs.
“By addressing the specific priorities and concerns of Black students and their families, the odds of getting them to enroll, study, and begin a career in hospitality leadership are greatly enhanced. This is particularly true when recruiting candidates facing socio-economic barriers,” said Dan Fenton, Director of Global Tourism and Destination Development for JLL and member of the Cornell Class of 1981. “Our research clearly demonstrates that intentional recruiting needs to occur out on the road in the classrooms, living rooms, and communities where the potential students reside. This is a key strategy in the AHED approach to the intentional recruiting program.”
The feedback received from hospitality program educators helped to define the features of the AHED intentional recruiting program for underprivileged Black students:
Recruiting potential applicants at high schools, community colleges, and community centers
Meeting with parents to overcome the negative perceptions of the hospitality industry
Guiding students and families through the application and financial-aid process
Providing focused scholarships to improve financial accessibility
Steering and mentoring accepted students through key decisions on housing, course selection – and throughout their four-year journey
Fostering sponsorship and allyship within academic and student-life programs
Connecting students and graduates to hospitality employers that are committed to supporting the program and a diverse management team.
“During our discussions with university leaders, it became evident schools have struggled with administrative, legal, and governance hurdles that have prevented them from implementing an intentional recruiting program on their own,” said Christopher Hunsberger, COO for Appellation Hotels and fellow member of the Cornell Class of 1981. “They believe the independence of AHED is a way to change by increasing the enrollment of Black hospitality students, and ultimately to realize the full potential of this massively underrepresented source of talent. As we see our federal courts further undermine race conscious college admissions, it becomes more important for industry leaders to step up to address this critical issue.”
“The initial response to the formation of AHED from industry leadership has been overwhelmingly positive, building our confidence that this intentional and focused initiative is long overdue and broadly embraced”, said Michael Cheng, Dean of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. “We thank the DREAM team and recognize that financial support is key in ensuring equity and diversity throughout every level of the hospitality business up to and inclusive of Senior Leadership and C-Suite.”
AHED provides an independent collaborative platform sought by university program leaders. In turn, universities must do their part by providing guidance for those Black students that meet admission requirements and enroll in hospitality management programs.
“Intentionality does not end with the recruitment process. Universities must follow through by developing systems designed to ensure the success of Black students as they enter the campus, throughout their academic career, and beyond,” said Fenton.
“The Cornell alumni group is a strong example of authentic commitment, and we believe the results of their actions will enable AHED to produce meaningful change. We commend the DREAM group for their vision and consistent support,” said Brian Barker, FIU Hospitality’s first endowed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Professor and director of AHED.
Michael Kay ‘61 – In Memorium
/in In Memoriam/by Robert MandelbaumMichael Kay ’61 passed on Thursday, January 19, 2023 in his home in Atlanta. Michael served as the Cornell Hotel Society Global President during the 1975 to 1976 academic year. Michael was a third generation Cornellian. He served the university as a member of the Cornell Council, and supported the Hotel School by serving on the Dean’s Advisory Board and deans search committees.
Below is an obituary published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on January 22, 2023. It describes Michael’s many contributions to the hospitality industry, and extensive support of philanthropic organizations.
_ _ _ _ _
Michael Zola Kay, age 83, of Atlanta, GA passed away peacefully in his home on January 19, 2023. Michael was born in New York City, spent his boyhood in Pittsburgh, and earned a B.S. degree in Hotel Administration at Cornell University. After launching his career at many of the marquis hotels in New York City, Michael came to Atlanta in 1980 as the CEO of Omni International Hotels. He went on to run the Portman Hotel Company and then in 1991 went on to become the turnaround CEO of LSG Sky Chefs, the largest provider of integrated in-flight airline catering.
Michael has served on the boards of Radiant Systems, NSI, Shoptaw and Pullapart and dedicated much of his retirement years to serving on the boards of national and local nonprofits. Michael is the past Chair of the Board of the Jewish Community Legacy Project and past board chair for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta where he created the first donor-advised fund committee and chaired the investment committee. He served on the board of Jewish Federation of Atlanta and co-chaired the creation of their strategic plan with Mike Leven. At JF&CS, where Michael chaired the board and served for two years, he and his wife Ann were honorary co-chairs of the capital campaign that resulted in an expanded campus and new space for the agency’s innovative IndependenceWorks program. Up until the time of his death, Michael was on the boards of The Weber School and the MJCCA. Michael also served on the boards of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, United Way of Greater of Atlanta, YearUp Atlanta, The Center for Working Families and KIPP Schools in Atlanta. Michael served as Vice Chairman of Points of Light and was on the national board of Repair the World. He and Ann then assisted in helping bring Repair to Atlanta.
Michael was a force for goodness and philanthropy and through his professional and volunteer pursuits, he created a lasting impression and an impressive legacy. Michael dedicated countless hours mentoring others and sharing his experiences and advice. Michael was a man of many thoughts and words, but he chose them wisely. His love of family, friends, running, books, and crossword puzzles are everlasting, and his presence will be missed by all who knew him.
Michael is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ann Kay; his brother, Jeffrey Kay; his son, Jonathan Kay, his wife, Marcia and their two children, Hayden and Phoebe; his daughter, Jennifer Gilbert, and her two children, Mason and Max; his daughter, Alison Doerfler and her two children, Harrison and Jordan; and his son, Todd Lubin, his wife, Lindsay and their two children, Ozzy and Lou. Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Family & Career Services or Atlanta Jewish Federation. The Funeral Services will be held Sunday, January 22, at 3p PM, at Congregation Or Hadash at 7460 Trowbridge Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30328, with Rabbi Edward Harwitz officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s, 770.451.4999.
CHS Hawaii Celebrates the Holidays and SHA 100
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumOn Tuesday, December 6, the CHS Hawaii Chapter held a reception at the Halekulani Hotel, followed by dinner at House Without A Key. During the evening, the Hotelies in attendance were treated to a tour of the newly renovated guest rooms and iconic gatehouse.
CHS Las Vegas Holiday Party
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS Las Vegas chapter held their 2022 holiday party on December 7 at Honey Salt. Special thanks to Honey Salt owner Elizabeth Blau ‘14 and Keith Kefgen ‘84 and his wife Judy for putting on such a spectacular evening. Thanks to Bryan Cohen – Arts ‘97 as well for leading us in singing the Alma Mater, stellar performance!
“You Need To Meet” Annual Reception in NYC
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe New York chapter hosted its annual “You Need To Meet” reception on November 13, 2022. The event was held at The Pierre Hotel and preceded the inaugural Hotelie Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Hundreds of Hotelies were in attendance to enjoy and abundance of food and beverages.
Special thanks to the generous support of the title sponsor Uplift, gold sponsor Pernod Ricard, silver sponsors LDV Hospitality, BattleFace, Coeur Wine Company, and Cornell Hotel Society.
Thank you to Rafael Bitanga ’23, Bishal Chhatkuli ’22, and Bitanga Productions for the pictures below.
Inaugural CHS Cornell Hotelie Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe inaugural CHS Cornell Hotelie Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was very successfully held on November 13, 2022. Over 270 were in attendance. Almost all of the 17 inductees and the Rising Star and/or their families were in attendance. Unfortunately, we did not have family members for Dean Meek, Lilyan Affinito, and Vance Christian. The introduction and acceptance were truly heartfelt and reflected the Hotelie spirit extremely well. I told the audience at the end of the event, “my Hotelie pride meter is in the red zone.” We had eight decades of Hotelies in the audience. The younger Hotelies appreciated the Hotelie legacy they are now a part of. This is truly the start of a great tradition to celebrate Hotelies each year.
Over 300 Hotelies contributed in some form to the success of the Hall of Fame program and the auction. They served on the nomination/selection committee, they served on the marketplace committee, they contributed quotes and helped wrote the inductee stories, they solicited and donated auction prizes, they bid on these auction prizes, and they helped spread the word to other Hotelies. This is the Hotelie Spirit at work.
Thanks to the generous donation and bidding of Hotelies, we raised over $100,000 USD from the auction. Over 300 bids were placed. Many bidders bid on multiple items and many items had multiple bids. The highest bid was for the Aman New York stay and the Belmond Caribbean stay, each at $4,000. The item with the highest number of bids (14 bids) was the Scarpetta pairing dinner.
Sincere thanks to sponsors and supporters. For the Reception, special thanks to the generous support of the title sponsor Uplift, gold sponsor Pernod Ricard, silver sponsors LDV Hospitality, BattleFace, Coeur Wine Company, and Cornell Hotel Society. For the Hall of Fame, grateful for the supporters Banfi, Singer Equipment, Steelite and Made In Cookware. Most of all, special thanks to Francois-Olivier Luigg, IMHI ’92, and The Pierre Hotel, without whose generous support this event couldn’t have happened.
This is the start of a very special Hotelies celebrating Hotelies tradition. This is our brand and bond, and these are the giants who built our brand. For 2023, the committee is considering ways to have a more opened nomination process. Stay tune. If you are interested in volunteering for the Hall of Fame program, please let me know.
Ted Teng ‘79
Chair, Cornell Hotelie Hall of Fame Committee
Pictures below provided by Rafael Bitanga ’23 and Bishal Chhatkuli ‘22 with Bitanga Productions