Human Resources

✈ Karen Slinger was appointed the new chair of ATPCO's Board of Directors, succeeding Maarten van der Lei. Slinger, with over 25 years in aviation, serves as the director of global revenue at British Airways. ATPCO, transforming since Alex Zoghlin's CEO appointment in January 2021, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023. The company aims for 80% of airline offers to be dynamically created by end of 2026. Slinger's appointment is aimed to enhance airline retailing and distribution.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, has been reporting on food trends since 1999. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast, he also wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and spent five years in Thailand writing for Manager magazine and Asia Times. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate and Le Cordon Bleu-trained, Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. He's based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Email: [email protected]

📍 Tripadvisor announced new leadership for Viator: Pepijn Rijvers became president and Kristin Dorsett COO, effective April 1, 2025. Rijvers brought over 12 years of experience from Booking.com, including roles as CMO and SVP. Under the new leadership, Viator aims to focus on experiences, building on its $840 million revenue and $4.2 billion gross bookings value. CEO Matt Goldberg emphasized the importance of experiences in Tripadvisor's strategy, with Viator leading the category's growth. Rijvers is set to leverage Viator's position and the Tripadvisor Group's strengths to dominate the online experiences marketplace.

👨 Davidson Hospitality Group announces executive appointments: Harris White (formerly of Virgin Hotels Collection) as CFO; Nick Gregory (formerly of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants) as SVP, strategic operations; Robert Morse (formerly of Marriott International) as VP of revenue management; Kyle McCoy as VP learning & organizational development; Michele Smith promoted to chief accounting officer; Jason Rabidoux as chief investment officer. Vision Hospitality Group names Mary Beth Cutshall as chief growth officer after 35 years in hospitality, including experience with Marriott International and founding Amara Capital Group. Nikki Beach Hospitality Group appoints Richard Johnson, with 30 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, as CFO. The Alida in Savannah, Georgia, promotes Ryan Cornelius to director of sales and marketing. Rosewood Little Dix Bay hires Katya Herting as managing director. Metaxa Hospitality Group appoints Serafim Karouzakis as general manager of Santo Collection in Santorini. Main Street Hospitality names Suzi Darre, with experience at Morgan’s Hotel Group and Auberge Resorts, as chief people officer in 2023.

🏢 ShaoWei Ong appointed as Chief People & Culture Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, effective 17 March 2025. She brings over 22 years of HR leadership across industries like hospitality, banking, fintech, and music. Previously at Jardine Schindler and Livi Bank, Ong's career spans Sony Music, Starwood Academy, Secoo Group, Wyndham Hotel Group, and United Overseas Bank. Holding a BA in Economics from the University of Waterloo, her role will be pivotal in Mandarin's ten-year transformation plan, focused on a people-centric strategy from their Hong Kong headquarters.

🏨 Maximilian Abele is appointed as Brand Director at B&B Hotels Central & Northern Europe, responsible for Brand, Marketing, and Communications, leading a team of 13. He reports to CCO Frank Seedorff. Abele has worked with Lindner Hotel Group as VP of Marketing, Brand Management & Communications, and with Me and All Hotels, Tomorrowland, Pentahotels, and Mainz 05. B&B Hotels, headquartered in France, aims to strengthen their market leadership in the value-for-money segment and enhance guest experience.

💸 Suzanne Sangiovese has been named CEO of Riskline, succeeding founder Kennet Nordlien who becomes executive chairman. Sangiovese, with the company since 2010, aims to expand Riskline's market presence over five years. In a sector where women make up 67% of travel managers and 57% of travel supplier professionals, yet only 15.6% are travel tech leaders, her rise represents a significant gender shift in travel leadership.

💼 Julien Mattei appointed as Chief Investment Officer of a&o Hostels, bringing 15 years of European real estate investment experience including roles at The Social Hub and Norges Bank Investment Management. Chad Goodnough joins Stonebridge Companies as SVP of Sales Strategy & Innovation with 25 years of sales leadership background. Starwood Hotels appoints Isabella Gunnarsson and Asbjørn Rytter for commercial and sales roles at the 1 Hotel Copenhagen opening in Summer 2025. Hospitality industry sees shifts with new appointments at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, The Ritz-Carlton Denver, Bishop’s Lodge Auberge Resorts Collection, and Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

📦 James Walker appointed as CEO of Lunchbox, with Nabeel Alamgir as Executive Chairman to drive growth and innovation. Lunchbox saw a 340% increase in average deal size and 300% growth in product adoption since 2022. High-profile brands like Subway®, Nathan's Famous®, and Cinnabon® are part of Walker's 30+ years of executive experience. The new era includes a funding round led by a strategic investment from Shift4, aiming to integrate Lunchbox with Shift4's SkyTab POS system and prioritize profitability.