Appointments

Laurent Choain has been appointed as Global Chief People & Culture Officer at Accor

To further strengthen its global leadership in human resources and foster a culture of excellence, Accor is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurent Choain as its new Global Chief People & Culture Officer, member of the Group Management Board effective April 1, 2026. Besides his global role, Laurent will also be serving on the Premium, Midscale & Economy Executive Committee.

Mike Kistner has been appointed as Chief of Staff at RobosizeME

RobosizeME, a leading provider of workflow automation solutions purpose‑built for hotel groups, today announced the appointment of Mike Kistner as Chief of Staff. The addition of the seasoned hospitality technology executive reinforces the company's commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth as demand increases for automation across hotel operations.

Kelly Makino has been appointed as Head of Human Resources at Rebel Hotel Company

Rebel Hotel Company has appointed Kelly Makino as Head of Human Resources, reinforcing its commitment to people-first leadership as the company scales its lifestyle, luxury, and independent hospitality portfolio. The appointment comes during a phase of accelerated growth and deliberate reinvestment in the platform, designed to support Rebel's expansion plans into 2026 and beyond.

Michael “Kazem” Moghtader has been appointed as Chief People Officer at AmaWaterways

Michael "Kazem" Moghtader brings more than 20 years of experience leading HR strategy, talent development, and organizational transformation across hospitality, healthcare, retail, and luxury brands. Most recently, he served as Chief People Officer at Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway). His earlier roles include Chief People Officer at Conifer Health Solutions, Vice President of Human Resources at Signet Jewelers, and leadership positions at JC Penney, Victoria's Secret, and Banana Republic. At AmaWaterways, Kazem leads the evolution of the People team, focusing on attracting and developing top talent, enhancing the employee experience, and building systems and practices that support growth, connection, and a culture where everyone can do their best work.

Nguyen Thi Kim Hang has been promoted to Director of Talent at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An

Nguyen Thi Kim Hang has been promoted to Director of Talent, overseeing all people, culture, and talent development initiatives across the resort. Alongside her core responsibilities, Ms. Hang will play a key supporting role in the upcoming launch of Revolution Express, a new experiential tourism venture scheduled to debut in mid-2026, further reinforcing Wafaifo's focus on innovation and people-led growth.

Barbara Vale Quigley has been appointed as Director of People and Culture at The Meritage Resort and Spa

Barbara Vale Quigley is the new Director of People and Culture at The Meritage Resort and Spa, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality-focused human resources leadership to the role. Quigley will oversee talent strategy, employee engagement, labor relations, and organizational culture for the resort's expansive team. Quigley most recently served as Director of Talent and Culture at The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, and previously held senior HR leadership roles with Discovery Land Company and Alisal Ranch. Her career includes extensive experience with Loews Hotels & Co., where properties under her leadership earned top team member satisfaction scores and multiple Best Place to Work honors. Outside of work, Quigley enjoys travel, swim aerobics, reading, and building community in Napa Valley.

Bhaskar Gajapathy has been appointed as Director of HR at Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel

With a strong focus on luxury and premium hospitality, Bhaskar's expertise spans across workforce planning, recruitment, compensation & benefits, statutory compliance, employee relations, training & development, and improving DEI outcomes by implementing targeted hiring practices, designing corporate policies and implementing rewards and recognition schemes.

Pooja Dholakia has been appointed as Learning and Development Manager at Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City Dubai

Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City Dubai announces a key appointment, strengthening its leadership team with an accomplished woman driving talent development. As Accor's leading and only five-star property in Dubai Media City, the hotel continues to advance its commitment to diversity, innovation, and excellence across all departments.