Big Dreams, Meaningful Impact: Meet Hilton’s 2026 Thrive Winners

• Hilton announced its 30 recipients of its 2026 Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset programs, providing paid time off and grants to support opportunities for personal growth, wellbeing, community impact or lifelong aspirations.

• The Thrive Sabbatical offers one month of paid leave and a $5,000 grant, while the Thrive Reset provides one week of paid leave and a $2,000 grant for team members pursuing meaningful goals.

• Winners were selected from across Hilton’s global community of team members based on their applications and alignment with Hilton’s values with journeys ranging from caregiving and recovery to education, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and cultural immersion.

• The programs are part of Thrive at Hilton, the company’s enterprise-wide wellbeing initiative designed to support team members’ physical, mental, and emotional health while helping them thrive personally and professionally.

• Hilton continues to invest in industry-leading workplace benefits and culture, reinforcing its commitment to team member wellbeing as a globally recognized top employer and workplace.

Hilton announced the 30 team members who have received 2026 Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset opportunities, continuing its investment in benefits that support its team members’ professional, physical and mental well-being. Team members from around the world can apply for the time and resources to live a dream, give a dream or recharge by taking care of themselves or others, or by pursuing a passion that helps them grow personally and professionally.

A Thrive Sabbatical provides select team members with one month of paid time off along with a $5,000 grant. A Thrive Reset offers one week of paid time off and a $2,000 grant.

The dreams our winners are pursuing are as unique as they are inspiring. Together, they remind us that this program is about so much more than time away – it’s about purpose, growth, joy, and lasting impact.

Laura Fuentes Chief Human Resources Officer, Hilton, and Head of Hilton Supply Management

“Across Hilton, we continue to be inspired by the way our team members dream big, care deeply, and lift one another up. Through our Thrive Sabbatical and Reset program, we’re proud to create space for that spirit to grow – giving team members the time, support, and resources to pursue passions, give back, or simply recharge,” said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer, Hilton, and head of Hilton Supply Management. “The dreams our winners are pursuing are as unique as they are inspiring. Together, they remind us that this program is about so much more than time away – it’s about purpose, growth, joy, and lasting impact.”

Hilton’s Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset programs are part of Thrive at Hilton — an enterprise-wide initiative focused on supporting team members' wellbeing in body, mind and spirit to help them be their best every day.

This year, a selection committee named 30 winners from across the globe, chosen based on their applications and connection to Hilton’s core values. Throughout 2026, these team members will embark on their journeys.

Thrive Sabbatical

• Ashley Pierce, manager, Destination Planning, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, will launch a small farm business rooted in sustainability to support her community and family in Maui.

• Betul Cakir, front desk supervisor, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, will create a transformative “Miracle Room” to provide children in a remote community with a safe and enriching space to learn and grow.

• Colin Perry, senior business analyst, Hilton Corporate, will travel with his father and two-year-old daughter, creating lasting memories across three generations after his father’s heart disease diagnosis.

• Dale Nelson, area director of engineering, Hilton Minneapolis, will dedicate himself to coaching and supporting athletes at the Special Olympics USA Games, deepening his impact on inclusion and community engagement.

• Debarati Mitra, assistant human resources manager, Hilton Jaipur, will launch a social initiative to empower formerly incarcerated women through skills training and pathways to financial independence.

• Ibtihal Bengannoune, engineering coordinator, DoubleTree by Hilton Ben Guerir Hotel & Residences, will volunteer with SOS Villages d’Enfants, teaching French and computer skills to empower children through education.

• Jane Chen, front office manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Beijing, will accompany her mother on a long-distance cycling journey, honoring her resilience after cancer and promoting healthy living.

• Mia Carreras, guest engagement specialist, Hilton Corporate, will expand her headwrap initiative that supports women experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment by providing dignity, comfort, and empowerment.

• Michael Krown, engineer, Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport, will expand his family farm operations to donate more nutritious, pesticide-free food to support vulnerable children in his community.

• Natalia Aguilar, manager, Consulting & Activation, Hilton Corporate, will support and create a documentary about a nonprofit in the Democratic Republic of Congo to amplify awareness and advance initiatives for vulnerable children.

• Shannon-Lee Sassenberg, senior associate, Human Resources, Hilton Corporate, will restore a disadvantaged school’s hospitality classroom in South Africa, empowering students with improved resources for future careers.

• Suranga Rajapakse, senior director, Loyalty & Customer Engagement, APAC, Hilton Corporate, will return to Sri Lanka with his wife, a general practitioner, to initiate the development of a women’s health clinic.

• Toya Walker, room attendant, Hilton Chicago, will volunteer at Chicago-area shelters that support individuals and families facing homelessness and hardship.

• Vinicius Santos, pantry supervisor, Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, will enhance his chocolate expertise through advanced training and origin exploration to elevate guest dessert experiences.

• Yasmin Almeida, guest services coordinator, Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi, will deepen her understanding of Japanese hospitality through cultural immersion, bringing back the philosophy of Omotenashi to enhance guest service.

Thrive Reset

• Ana Mariel Gomez Cruz, hotel butler, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, will create a meaningful 50th anniversary celebration for her parents to honor their legacy.

• Angela Williams, HRCC reservations agent, Hilton Corporate, will spend time healing from an injury, reconnecting with her purpose, and developing her passion for cake baking into a professional skill.

• Benjama Olarnsakul, director of HR, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, will find emotional closure after the loss of her husband by honoring his legacy through acts of quiet kindness and charitable giving.

• Bethany DeSalvo, senior manager, Internal and Executive Communications, Hilton Corporate, will embrace motherhood after a challenging fertility journey and pursue running the Boston Marathon to raise funds for women’s health.

• Celine Ayoung, executive office administrator, Sales & Marketing, Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre, will spend meaningful, unhurried time with her grandmother as dementia progresses.

• Christopher Brucci, assistant general manager/sales director, Hampton Inn Port Charlotte, will honor his military service and fallen comrades by attending the Desert Storm War Memorial dedication allowing him to reconnect with fellow veterans, and return with renewed perspective and purpose.

• David Cron, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, will reconnect with his family on a trip after leading his team through a tough community crisis.

• Ellis James, cluster director of sales, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen St, will travel to spend meaningful time with her mother in The Netherlands as her dementia progresses.

• George Hoffman, senior manager, Mobile Software Engineering, Hilton Corporate, will reunite with his family to reclaim cherished time lost after his leukemia relapse and stem cell transplant.

• Jolanta Matuszczak, reservations sales agent, Hilton Warsaw City, will honor her late father’s legacy by rebuilding their family apiary and creating a sustainable space that supports nature.

• Klaus Kafmann, GA assistant coach, Hilton Corporate, will recharge through gardening and a spiritual retreat to process personal loss and family challenges.

• Muhammed Shemeel Ashraf, kitchen supervisor, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha, will travel to be with his wife after their recent marriage to strengthen their bond despite long-distance challenges.

• Nicole Hanley, senior associate, GDCM Property Systems PEP Training, Hilton Corporate, will create joyful, lasting memories with her foster daughters through a meaningful trip.

• Pasha Woods, reservations sales specialist, Hilton Corporate, will reconnect with her family by creating restorative memories together at a Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

• Sajawal Sibtain, IT manager, Doubletree by Hilton Vientiane, will overcome burnout by disconnecting from work and embracing a spiritual reset.

Recognized as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace and a Great Place to Work in more than 60 countries around the world, Hilton is committed to prioritizing its team members' needs both at work and in their personal lives.

Hilton is actively hiring with thousands of hotel job openings available across its 28 brands. For more information on Hilton’s expansive team member benefits, its award-winning workplace culture, and the many jobs available, please visit jobs.hilton.com.