Human Resources

👩‍🍳 Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Orange County has appointed Michelin-starred chef Steve Benjamin as director of culinary and promoted Nicole Encarnacion to executive chef at Bourbon Steak. Benjamin, a Paris native with nearly 25 years of experience, will oversee all food and beverage outlets. Encarnacion, from the Philippines and with the resort since 2018, will lead day-to-day operations. These moves aim to expand culinary offerings and promote women into senior roles.

📈 Michelle Hacker has been appointed as the general manager of Oceana Santa Monica, a Hilton LXR Hotels & Resorts property. Coming from The h.wood Group in Los Angeles, Hacker brings nearly a decade of hospitality experience. Her past roles include general manager and floor manager at Tap 42 Sports Bar. Her appointment comes as the hotel plans to launch La Monique, a new dining spot. Oceana Santa Monica is a beachfront, suites-only luxury hotel.

📑 Karla Aabo appointed managing director of The Fifth Avenue Hotel and COO of Flâneur Hospitality. Aabo has 25+ years of luxury hotel experience. Her career began at Mandarin Oriental, Asia, and included roles at Crosby Street Hotel, Gramercy Park Hotel, and Austin Proper Hotel. Most recently, she was managing director at Montauk Yacht Club. Alex Ohebshalom, CEO, praised Aabo's visionary leadership for evolving the hotel with new experiences.

🏨 Kathleen Hollis has been appointed as chief growth officer at First Hospitality, announced by president and CEO David Duncan. She will lead business development, targeting new markets and hotel acquisitions. Hollis previously expanded Evolution Hospitality's portfolio from 27 to 90 hotels. First Hospitality, founded 40 years ago, manages hotels across the U.S. Hollis brings expertise from the lifestyle and full-service sectors, enhancing First Hospitality's growth strategy and portfolio diversification.

✈️ Navan has appointed Kim Harmer as Chief Travel Advisory Officer. She brings over 20 years of experience in the global travel industry, having previously worked at Visa and consulted at Results Plus and Garner. Harmer has expertise in travel management, procurement, and operations. She has held advisory roles with IATA and GBTA. Navan emphasizes her experience in optimizing complex global travel programs as a key asset for driving client success.

📅 Maykel Escalona has been appointed as the new managing director of Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Downtown Vancouver. Previously, he served as acting resort manager at Rosewood Miramar Beach. Escalona has over 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, having held leadership roles at Kona Village, The Carlyle, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, The Beekman in New York, 1 Hotel South Beach, and Fontainebleau Miami Beach. He aims to blend the hotel's history with fresh ideas and experiences.

📈 Kelly McGuire appointed as chief commercial officer at Kasa, will manage revenue, distribution, marketing, and sales. With over 20 years in revenue strategy, previously at ZS and MGM Resorts, she’s noted for her expertise in AI-driven automation. Kasa aims to enhance AI-powered pricing and strategic partnerships. CEO Roman Pedan anticipates McGuire’s leadership will increase revenue and improve guest experiences. McGuire has authored multiple works on commercial strategy in hospitality.

📈 Schulte Hospitality Group (SHG) has appointed Brian Fitzgerald as chief financial officer. With over 30 years of financial leadership, including 22 years at Brown-Forman Corporation, Fitzgerald will lead SHG's financial services and global growth strategy. His experience includes roles as chief accounting officer and treasurer, and achievements like the international acquisition of Casa Herradura. SHG sees him as pivotal in supporting continued growth and innovation.

📄 Barbara Muckermann, the first female CEO of Kempinski Hotels, a 162-year-old luxury hotel group, shares her journey from the cruise industry to hospitality leadership. In a conversation with Emily Goldfischer for *Hospitality Daily*, she discusses leading through crises and balancing heritage with innovation. For more insights, visit [hertelier](https://www.hertelier.com/post/barbara-muckermann-kempinski-1). Follow *Hospitality Daily* on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@hospitalitydaily), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitalitydaily/), and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hospitality_daily/).

📈 Donohoe Hospitality Services will manage a portfolio of three hotels with 597 rooms in Maryland, owned by Southern Management Companies. The properties include the 150-room Cambria Hotel College Park, the 297-room Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, and the 150-room Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover. This partnership aligns both companies' values and aims to enhance community impact and operational quality.