Shows
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastAndy Kauffman, Chief Commercial Officer - US & Canada, Marriott International int. by Dorothy DowlingIntegration, Clarity, and Human-Centered Commercial LeadershipAndy Kauffman’s path into commercial leadership was rooted not in traditional sales or revenue management, but in digital performance marketing. Beginning with paid search and performance marketing at Marriott, he built broader product and marketing capabilities before returning to lead commercial performance for the US and Canada. His philosophy centers on integration—recognizing that while organizations may be structured vertically, the work gets done horizontally. He emphasizes aligning marketing, pricing, demand, and sales around measurable performance, ensuring every initiative ladders back to how the company defines success.Ka...
2026-03-0937 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastLaura Smith, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Partnerships, Hertz Interviewed by Dorothy DowlingLaura Smith’s career began far from a traditional sales path. After studying languages and starting as a teacher, she joined an airline, where early experience in a lost baggage call center shaped her belief in leading with empathy. She explains that empathy shapes trust and culture, and those two things shape performance. When asked in 2020 to lead the global sales organization at Hertz, she relied on people skills, reliability, and a strong team foundation to step into commercial leadership during extraordinary change, including bankruptcy and a complete reset of the business.Smith defines exceptional sales leadership as...
2026-02-2130 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastAnne Larcade, CEO, Sequel Hotel and Resorts Interviewed by Dorothy DowlingAs her career advanced, Anne describes finding her voice through preparation and experience rather than position. Confidence, she notes, developed over time as she learned to trust data, ask questions, and take responsibility for outcomes. She speaks candidly about moments that required courage, including taking calculated risks and ultimately buying out partners to form Sequel Hotels and Resorts. Those decisions reinforced her belief that leadership demands ownership, conviction, and a willingness to stand alone when necessary. Resilience became a defining theme in her journey, strengthened through personal loss, reinvention, and navigating uncertainty.
2026-01-2333 min
CoStar News HotelsThe challenges of growing hotel commercial team talent (with HSMAI's Brian Hicks and Horwath HTL's Dorothy Dowling)Hotel companies, and more specifically their commercial strategy teams, will succeed or fail based on the strength of their talent, according to Horwath HTL's Dorothy Dowling. So Dowling and HSMAI President and CEO Brian Hicks join the podcast to discuss the major challenges facing talent development and how leadership and artificial intelligence are both key.
2025-12-1029 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastMonique Lee, Group Vice President, Sales, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Interviewed by Dorothy DowlingMonique Lee, Group VP Sales, at Wyndham Hotels, shares her career journey from unforgettable childhood hospitality experiences to leading roles. She emphasizes the impact of mentors and the importance of intentional, authentic leadership. Her story highlights resilience, balancing work-life challenges, and leveraging AI for success in today's dynamic sales environment.
2025-11-2334 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastBetsy O'Rourke, Commercial Advisor, former Chief Commercial Officer, Xanterra Travel Collection interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn this interview, Betsy O’Rourke, former Chief Commercial Officer at Xanterra Travel Collection, reflects on her lifelong journey in travel and hospitality—from crewing on boats in Malta to leading global brands. She discusses strategic leadership, resilience through crises, and mentoring future leaders. Betsy emphasizes curiosity, agility, and empathy as essential traits for growth in both business and personal development.
2025-11-1037 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastBrian Hicks, CEO HSMAI interviewed by Dorothy DowlingDorothy Dowling interviews Brian Hicks, CEO of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. They discuss Brian's career journey, the importance of intentional career paths, effective team leadership, the significance of networking, and the evolving landscape of technology and innovation in the hospitality industry.“Understand your personal purpose—know where you add the most value—and invest deeply in relationships. Connections may open doors, but it’s the relationships you nurture that will shape your career.” – Brian Hicks, CEO, HSMA
2025-08-1136 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastTedd Evers, Global Partner Leader, Travel and Hospitality AWS interviewed by Dorothy DowlingDorothy Dowling interviews Tedd Evers, Global Partner, Lead for Travel and Hospitality at AWS, discussing his career journey, leadership during crises, prioritization, and future innovations in hospitality. Tedd emphasizes curiosity, agile thinking, empathy, personal balance, and the critical role of data strategy in transforming the industry.
2025-08-0134 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastJohn Paul Nichols, CEO & President, Club Quarters interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn a conversation filled with wisdom and experiences, Dorothy Dowling sits down with John Paul Nichols, CEO of Club Quarters, on the hospitality podcast "It's Personal Stories." Nichols takes us through his career, revealing how a strategic blend of opportunistic decisions, international exposure, and cultural diversity has paved the way for his enduring success in the industry.
2025-06-1141 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastLukasz Dabrowski, Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Relations, HRS Group interviewed by Dorothy DowlingLukasz shares insights on his extensive international career, leadership lessons, relationship building, and balancing professional and personal life through the Japanese concept of Ikigai.
2025-05-2138 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastRyan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, interviewed by Dorothy DowlingDorothy Dowling interviews Ryan Mann from McKinsey & Company in the 'It's Personal Stories' podcast. Ryan shares his career journey, the pivotal role of COVID in his professional life, and the importance of asking the right questions in consulting. He discusses leadership in consulting, time management, nurturing talent, and future disruptions in the hospitality industry. Ryan emphasizes core skills like synthesis, problem breakdown, and differentiating between facts and insights. He concludes with advice on self-reflection and focusing on learning, not just achieving titles.
2025-04-1441 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastGreg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group interviewed by Dorothy DowlingGreg shares his career journey from industrial engineering to his pivotal roles at American Airlines and Expedia, emphasizing the importance of passion, adaptability, and mentorship. He discusses balancing innovation with operational excellence, staying current through continuous learning and personal growth, and fostering cross-disciplinary talents within his team. Greg underscores the value of human connection and taking care of one's well-being amidst high-pressure environments. This episode highlights Greg's leadership philosophies and provides advice for emerging leaders in the industry.
2025-04-0535 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastAbhijit Patel, VP, Revenue Management & Commercial Strategy, Choice Hotels interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Abhijit Patel, VP of Revenue Management at Choice Hotels International, discussing his diverse career journey. Abbat shares his experience of emigrating from India to the U.S., starting in hospitality by washing dishes, and his trajectory through various industries, including Geico and Mars, before finding his fit at Choice Hotels. He reflects on significant moments that shaped his career, strategies for fostering partnerships with franchisees, and the importance of problem-solving and continuous improvement. Abhijit also highlights the value of preparation for public speaking, managing work-life harmony, and the...
2025-03-2737 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastMike Gamble, Chairman & CEO, SearchWide Global interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn this engaging podcast episode, Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO of SearchWide Global, delivers actionable insights for both candidates and companies. He outlines practical strategies for mapping career paths and acing interviews, while also sharing proven methods for retaining top talent and driving innovation in the competitive talent landscape. Mike underscores the importance of aligning talent marketing, employer branding, and cultivating an authentic culture to build workplaces that truly resonate with professionals. Join me for an enlightening conversation with Mike and discover valuable takeaways that can transform your approach to career growth and talent management
2025-02-2737 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastSasha Day, President & CEO, Aramark Destinations interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Sasha Day, President and CEO of Aramark Destinations. Sasha shares her journey in her current role, discussing Aramark's diverse operations in national parks, conference centers, and attractions. She opens up about her non-linear career path that evolved through intentional and unplanned opportunities. Sasha emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences, risk-taking, and the critical role of mentorship. She also delves into her approach to problem-solving, which includes stakeholder identification, streamlined decision-making, and effective communication. Sasha highlights her change-oriented leadership style and the importance of empathy, adaptability, and fostering strong t...
2025-02-0640 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastAnil Aggarwal CEO Milestone Inc interviewed by Dorothy DowlingIn this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Anil Agarwal, CEO of Milestone. Anil shares his journey into entrepreneurship, starting with his early days at the University of Georgia where he founded an entrepreneurship club. His interest grew through interactions with members of the Indus Entrepreneurs organization. This led him to start Zeevo, a company that innovated Bluetooth chip technology, which was eventually sold to Broadcom. He later co-founded Milestone, a digital marketing company for hotels, with his wife, Benu. They successfully scaled the business, despite initial challenges. Anil discusses the importance of building the right...
2025-01-2835 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastKimberly Wilson, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Preferred Hotels & Resorts interviewed by D_ DowlingJoin me on this learning journey with Kimberly Wilson, a brilliant sales leader at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, as we explore how fostering teamwork and mutual support—within teams and across departments—empowers sales leaders to better support customers, deliver on their needs, and drive meaningful customer success.
2024-12-1839 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastStacey Barber, VP of Travel, AAA National interviewed by Dorothy DowlingJoin me for an insightful interview with Stacey Barber, AAA National’s VP of Travel, as she shares valuable guidance on fostering stakeholder engagement, ensuring every voice is heard, and empowering collaborative decision-making. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!
2024-12-1239 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDr. Kelly McGuire, Chief Commercial Officer, Kasa, interviewed by Dorothy DowlingJoin me on It’s Personal: Journeys and Wisdom in Hospitality with Dr. Kelly McGuire. From academia to early SaaS revenue management innovation, pioneering revenue strategy in casinos, and consulting in commercial strategy, Kelly shares her journey of embracing change, learning, and self-advocacy. An inspiring career story you won’t want to miss!
2024-11-2033 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastHannah Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Eleven Software interviewed by Dorothy DowlingHannah she shares her intentional career journey, from childhood entrepreneurship and Cornell Hotel School, to consulting and private equity, and her transformative time at Berkeley Business School. Now CEO of a SaaS tech company, she reflects on leadership, learning, and mentorship.
2024-10-2136 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDelphine Millot, SVP for Advocacy and Sustainability, GBTA interviewed by D DowlingDelphine Millot, SVP of GBTA, she shares her thoughts on how to effectively power and advance your career. Delphine discusses her commitment to continuous learning and growth, her proactive approach to taking on diverse assignments, and her investment in education as an adult learner.
2024-07-3034 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDonna Quadri-Felitti, Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University, School of Hospitality Management, interviewed by Dorothy DowlingDonna shares her journey in education and hospitality, driven by her passion for empowering others and her extensive experience in foodservice, hospitality sales and marketing, tourism consulting, and hotel asset management.
2024-07-0836 min
Hospitality Daily PodcastWhat I'm Looking Forward to at HITEC and the Commercial Strategy Conference - Dorothy DowlingIn this episode, Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director of Horwath HTL, shares her insights on HITEC and the Commercial Strategy Conference coming up this week and discusses the importance of integrating marketing technology in the hospitality industry.Dorothy's perspective on the events - the importance of HSMAI as a community for professional growth, and the benefits of the overlap between HITEC and the Commercial Strategy Conference.Key themes and topics for 2024 - the commercial framework encompassing sales, marketing, distribution, and loyalty.Specific sessions and areas of interest - the importance of understanding FinTech...
2024-06-2310 min
Hospitality Daily PodcastInvest in Yourself: How to Stay Curious and Keep Learning (Even If You Have No Time) - Dorothy DowlingIn this episode, Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director of Horwath HTL, shares her insights on staying curious, continuous learning, and career development in the hospitality industry, including:The notion of a "curiosity quotient" and its importance Balancing day-to-day responsibilities with personal growthThe importance of networking and industry engagement Investing time in volunteer work and peer mentorshipMaking deliberate career decisions and avoiding future regretsIf you liked this, you might enjoy our other episode with Dorothy - My Journey Learning and Leading Global Hospitality Businesses - or our other career episodes. A few more re...
2024-06-2207 min
Hospitality Daily PodcastUnlocking Talent: Insights from the HSMAI State of Talent Report - Dorothy DowlingIn this episode, Dorothy Dowling, Managing Director of Horwath HTL and special advisor to the HSMAI Foundation Board, shares insights from the HSMAI Foundation's third annual State of Talent Report, focusing on talent recruitment, retention, and engagement in the hospitality industry. Listen now to learn about:Introduction to the State of Talent Report (00:00) - Overview of the report and its significance in the hospitality industry.Differences in the 2024 Report (02:11) - How the 2024 report differs from previous years and the focus on practical applications and case studies.Challenges in Talent Recruitment and Retention (05:09...
2024-06-1720 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastGissell Moronta, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing, Atrium Hospitality interviewed by Dorothy DowlingJoin Dorothy Dowling as Gissell shares her inspiring journey to America, honing her leadership skills to become an amazing executive. Gissell's self-made path, balancing work, part-time school, and parenting, inspires us all. Don't miss her incredible story!
2024-06-0537 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastKimberly Twiggs, Associate VP of Market Development, DIRECTV, interviewed by Dorothy DowlingJoin me on a transformative journey with Kimberly Twiggs, as we delve into her destination career at DIRECTV. Kim's story reveals how her executive journey has been rooted in her unwavering commitment to excellence. Through her narrative, we witness the pivotal role of mentorship and advocacy from leaders in propelling her career forward.
2024-05-2939 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastCaroline Strachan, CEO, Festive Road interviewed by Dorothy DowlingCaroline shares how her roles as a buyer, travel manager, and supplier have propelled her to become the CEO of Festive Road. Her primary motivation has always been to do her best work and to embrace possibilities and to become a skilled communicator.
2024-05-1336 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastFran Brasseux, Former CEO, ICHRIE interviewed by Dorothy DowlingFran's career journey, emphasizing the importance of patience, perseverance, and personal empowerment. Fran shares her experiences transitioning from the hotel industry to association management and academia, highlighting the complexities and rewards of working within associations to make impactful changes.
2024-04-1134 min