Source: EHL

On December 13th 2017, the EHL Alumni Network came together to honor some of its most distinguished members during the 5th Annual AEHL Award ceremony, held at the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne. Established in 2013, this event celebrates the most deserving EHL graduates based on their professional career and accomplishments.

In each of the following categories, the EHL Alumni community (AEHL), nominated three outstanding professionals:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award This award recognizes the Alumnus/a who thrived the most throughout his/her career, representing the AEHL network throughout the world.
  • Alumnus of the Year This award recognizes the Alumnus/a who flourished the most on a professional level in the past year.
  • Entrepreneur of the Year. This award recognizes an Alumnus/a whose entrepreneurial journey and company's performance are exemplary.

The AEHL community has massively participated in the voting process to elect this year's winners.

In the much-anticipated category of "The Lifetime Achievement Award", this year's edition proved especially challenging for the voters to decide, as all three outstanding nominees came in head-to-head in the polling results. Therefore, the AEHL community has decided to take the special measure of bestowing the honor of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" to all three nominees, namely: Selim El Zyr (EHL 1970), Tetsuro Inamaru (EHL 1983) and Jacky Lorenzetti (EHL 1969).

Selim El Zyr, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Rotana, has served as CEO and President of Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Limited until 2014 and since then acts as Vice Chairman of Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Limited. His experience in the hospitality industry also encompasses more than 12 years with Hilton International in various countries and the creation of a successful fast food chain in Lebanon.

Tetsuro Inamaru, senior advisor and brand ambassador for Japan's famous Seiko Holdings Corporation, in charge of the retail division of Seiko under its iconic "Wako" brand. As a former executive managing board member and director at Imperial Hotel, Ltd., Mr. Inamaru has dedicated much of his professional activity towards the development of both the luxury class and general consumer-oriented Japanese hospitality industry.

Jacky Lorenzetti, founder of FONCIA, a leading real estate company in France, which he sold in 2008. As president of the French Rugby Club Racing 92, Mr. Lorenzetti lead the club to the French Rugby Championship and to the European Rugby Champions Cup finals in 2016. Mr. Lorenzetti also owns the newly built U Arena in Paris Nanterre and serves as CEO of Holding Ovalto. As a lover of Grand Cru du Médoc, he now owns multiple vineyards, including Château Pédesclaux.

The Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Ms. Elisabetta Fabri (EHL 1983), founder of Starhotels International and CEO of Starhotels SpA. With its collection of twenty-nine hotels in Italy, New York, Paris and London, Starhotels has shared the art of Italian hospitality with the world for more than thirty years. Ms. Fabri also especially stands out through her efforts in empowering women and recognizing their critical role in today's business world, with women make up 55% of Starhotels' human resources.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was attributed to Ms. Nicola Gryczka (EHL 2007). As the CEO of GASTROMOTIVA, a Brazilian social enterprise founded by chef David Hertz. The project works with food as a tool for transformation, offering gastronomy training towards employment, food entrepreneurship classes and nutrition education for under-privileged communities in four countries. Ms. Gryczka is also active as a motivational speaker and consultant at renowned organizations and has recently been selected as one of the MIT SOLVE finalists for innovative solutions and start-ups that will change the world.

EHL is happy to partner with MSC Cruises as the sponsor of the AEHL Community Awards.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.
With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

Sherif Mamdouh
External Communications Manager
EHL