Nicole Okuna
Okuna is appointed as general manager of The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. Most recently serving as hotel manager at the same property, Okuna was a driving force in elevating guest experiences at Pink Palace of the Pacific and leading key multi-hotel initiatives across Marriott’s Waikiki Collection. She brings 16 years of experience with Marriott and Starwood resort properties on Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the island of Hawaii.
Lynn Willison and Rachel Englander
The Hutton Group – Inspired Meetings & Events, a woman-owned and -operated boutique meeting and incentive planning company, brings in two new team members.
Willison takes on the role of account manager and will assist corporate and association clients. She brings over 25 years of experience in hotel sourcing, meeting planning and onsite meeting assistance. She previously served as a global sourcing manager at Bishop-McCann.
Englander takes on the role of account manager as well, and will assist with all aspects of site selection and contract negotiation processes. She most recently served as a sales manager with Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, and brings a wealth of knowledge in the hotel industry’s sales, catering and services ends.
Kelsey Nichol
One10 appoints Nichol as its new vice president, strategic accounts. Having served in both sales and operational roles over the past 20 years, Nichol brings strong experience and an extensive network. She most recently served as director of business development at Mutika, Italy’s premier Experience Management Company (EMC).
Allison Aguilar Bultman
Destination Madison promotes Aguilar Bultman to a brand new sales position: convention sales manager, multicultural markets. In this role, she will position and sell the greater Madison area and its meeting facilities as a national destination to national accounts with an emphasis on culturally diverse groups, organizations and associations. Aguilar Bultman joined Destination Madison in 2022 as partnership development manager.
Axel Najera
Fairmont Mayakoba appoints Najera to the role of assistant director of marketing. Najera has honed his skills in marketing throughout his two decade career, working across various sectors, including advertising and hospitality. Najera spent 12 years leading marketing and public relations at MSD México; he also ran his own marketing agency for six years and developed a special passion for hospitality during four years with Fairmont.
Alison DeBorba and Olivia Hill
Ensemble Hospitality announces the appointment of two new corporate hotel marketing managers to strengthen its corporate marketing infrastructure.
DeBorba, as corporate hotel marketing manager, will focus on digital marketing and ecommerce for Ensemble’s hotel portfolio. She brings extensive experience across numerous hotels, where she demonstrated innovative strategies and an impressive record of accomplishment in elevating brand presence and driving online engagement.
Hill, also as corporate hotel marketing manager, will zone in on public relations, promotions, brand partnerships and social media for Ensemble’s hotel portfolio. Her dedication and expertise is apparent through her previous work in marketing communications success of the Westin Anaheim Resort and their many local venues under Wincome Hospitality.
Avi Yesawich
Yesawich is appointed as managing director of TradeWinds Island Resorts—The Island Grand Resort and RumFish Beach Resort. He will oversee all operations, develop strategic vision and direction and play a key role in future capital improvements, including an upcoming 20-year expansion project. He most recently served as area managing director for Highgate’s Luxury & Lifestyle hotel division in Miami, overseeing three properties.
Alan Pujol
Sandos Hotels & Resorts announces Pujol will take on the role of vice president of operations. He began his hospitality career at age 25 as resident manager for a hotel in Palma de Mallorca, and went on to serve as director of operations for Sandos Hotels & Resorts, where he played an essential role in incredibly formative years for the company. After spending time at a position in Vietnam, he now returns to Sandos Hotels & Resorts to lend his extensive experience to the brand’s four major Mexico resorts.
Andrew Cifa
The Logan Hotel appoints Cifa as director of sales and marketing. He brings over two decades of experience, strategic leadership and passion for guest experience to his new role. Known for creating sustainable results, servant leadership and a collaborative approach, he has served in roles across various regions and brands, notably overseeing a multi-unit portfolio across 10 managed properties as area director of sales & marketing at Marriott International in Maryland.
Emma Elder
The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) welcomes Elder as national sales manager. She will sell and market Atlanta as a premier destination for group meetings as well as attend trade shows and coordinate partner participation. Most recently, Elder owned a New England-based wedding planning company, and prior to that served as sales and event manager at a boutique inn in Vermont.
