Simon Machin is an undergraduate student at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. Growing up in Santa Maria, California, Simon came to DePaul to pursue his dream of becoming a film producer. In 2022, he assumed the role of Podcast Editor and Sound Engineer for The Hospitality Spirit podcast, a show focused on bridging the gap between higher education and the hospitality industry. Simon has been making videos for half his life, both as a hobby and professionally. He operated a YouTube channel for several years, which allowed him to achieve countless milestones in the world of social media. Prior to ..read more

Ron Nagy is an entrepreneur and business Strategist and is owner / operator of Soleil Vacations, a full service vacation rental company. He lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with his husband Daniel and his dogs Roxy & Trinity. Ron has had a diverse path in the hospitality industry, working for such growth companies as Pepsi, Starbucks, Starwood Hotels and Turnkey Vacation Rentals. His quest for knowledge has taken him across multiple disciplines from operations leadership, finance, Six Sigma and project management. Now, his primary focus is growing Soleil Vacations profitably and focusing on hi ..read more

Ryan LeVeque, DePaul university alum with back ground in operations and career in revenue management. Have worked for over 25 properties throughout the country from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale (coast to coast). Recently began freelancing revenue and business development for the short term rental space and built out Off the Hook Hideaway website/social. Currently living in Fort Lauderdale and enjoying the sunshine state by means of lots of golfing, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball. Twitter: www.twitter.com/dpuhospitality Facebook: www.facebook.com/depaul.hospitality Instagram: www.inst ..read more

Hospitality leader Neil DeGuia has taken on the role of General Complex Manager at the dual-branded Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop and Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop. DeGuia will oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the hotel, in addition to ensuring maximum guest satisfaction, to name a few responsibilities. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, DeGuia brings enthusiasm, passion, and expertise to this position. Twitter: www.twitter.com/dpuhospitality Facebook: www.facebook.com/depaul.hospitality Instagram: www.instagram.com/hospitalityspirit ..read more

Nicholas J. Thomas, PhD serves as the director of the School of Hospitality Leadership, where he is an associate professor. Thomas is also director of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Center for Student Development and Engagement in the School of Hospitality Leadership. Throughout his career, Thomas has made an effort to channel his deep-rooted passion for helping others to ensure stakeholder objectives are met. Thomas teaches innovative and practically focused undergraduate and graduate level courses related to human resources, hospitality operations, technology and customer se ..read more

Liz Jaquez is an HSMAI Gold Adrian award-winning certified hospitality digital marketer and revenue management executive. She began her career with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in various operations management positions, adding on additional marketing duties wherever she could, and eventually driving the creation of a new on-property digital marketing position at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. From there, Liz joined the franchise world at White Lodging Services overseeing digital strategy for upwards of 50+ hotels, restaurants, & rooftop lounges in the Austin, Chicago & Louisville market ..read more

Tammy Pahel is a transformative and strategic Spa, Wellness, Fitness and Retail Executive with 30 years of leadership experience. Since 2018, Ms. Pahel has acted as Vice President of Spa & Wellness Operations at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort and has had an active involvement in the resort's strategic planning process. She has full responsibility of all spa, health & wellness center, and fitness operations, including membership budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, fitness, salon, talent acquisition, learning and development, organizational design, and employee engagement. Twitter: ww ..read more

Z.J. Tong grew up in China and came to the US 20 years ago to pursue his graduate studies. He started his career as a group leader for American groups traveling in China. And later became director of tourism marketing for Kay Jewelers. He is now the owner of ChinaPro Marketing Partners, a tourism marketing agency focusing on helping destinations, attractions, and shopping centers outreach to the inbound and domestic Chinese market. Twitter: www.twitter.com/dpuhospitality Facebook: www.facebook.com/depaul.hospitality Instagram: www.instagram.com/hospitalityspirit ..read more

As a sports and entertainment marketing trailblazer, brand architect, entrepreneur and business strategist, Daniel O'Leary's goal is to deliver brand and property solutions that drive sales, preference, awareness and sustainable return on investments and objectives. He draws from his experience advising some the world’s most powerful sports properties and blue chip brands to engineer and manufacture omni-channel marketing platforms, dynamic campaigns and turnkey corporate sponsorship blueprints. In the last 15-years, Mr. O'Leary has grown into an accomplished business development and integrate ..read more

Derrick C. Westbrook is a nationally recognized sommelier evolving the wine industry by bridging the gap between spirits and culture. Before turning 30, Westbrook became the Cellar Manager of Alinea Group’s NEXT restaurant, and the Beverage Director of the Michelin-starred, Elizabeth restaurant in Chicago. He is currently the Owner of Juice @ 1340 and lead sommelier. He has been recognized for his professional contributions by Wine Enthusiast magazine as a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, becoming the first African-American in the wine industry to grace the publication’s cover. Widely recognized in the ..read more