Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Dean Upneja

Epizódok

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  Rod Clough: 2026 Hotel Market Outlook, RevPAR, and AI in Valuation 05.08.2026 18p

  Every so often an interview is also a reunion. Before he led the Boston University School of Hospitality Real Estate Program, Kaushik Vardharajan spent fifteen years at HVS, the global consulting firm focused exclusively on the hospitality industry. For this interview, Kaushik sits down with Rod Clough, who is now running it across the Americas. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City. Rod...
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  Chad Sorensen: Hotel Asset Management, Margins, and Guest Experience 03.08.2026 17p

  Ask Chad Sorensen what wins in 2026 and he will not say growth; he will say execution and margins. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road at the 2026 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City, with guest host Kaushik Vardharajan, Director of Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Program. Chad is CEO of CHM Warnick, a leading hotel asset management and advisory firm, and vice chair of Boston University School of Hospitali...
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  The Simmer Live at the Summit: Judy Thelen of beli on Taste, Trust, and the Future of Restaurant Discovery 01.07.2026 41p

  We are proud to share from the BU SHA Hospitality Leadership Summit stage on April 10, 2026, the first LIVE podcast recording of The Simmer podcast. Hosted by Kristen Hawley, founder of Expedite, must-read news source about restaurant technology and the future of hospitality, and Brandon Barton, CEO of Bite, this podcast features Judy Thelen, co-founder and CEO of beli, the super-popular app for social restaurant list-keeping and recommendations. The conversation covers why ubiquitous “...
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  Leading With Curiosity: Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette 10.06.2026 31p

  What does it take to lead a 100+ year-old travel company into its next chapter without losing the soul that made it legendary? In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja sits down with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette, a family-owned guided travel brand since 1918. As the first woman to lead the company in its century-long history, Jaclyn has earned her role through experience, starting as a tour guide and growing into leadership across marketing, product, and gl...
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  Jen Ziskin, Executive Director of Mass Restaurant United: Advocating on Wages, Fees, and Workforce So Independent Restaurants Can Thrive 20.05.2026 47p

  Restaurants are more than places to eat. They are where communities gather, cultures are shared, and everyday moments become lasting memories. But behind every restaurant is a complex reality, rising costs, workforce challenges, and shifting consumer expectations. In this episode of The Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja welcomes Jen Ziskin, Executive Director of Mass Restaurant United and co-owner of La Morra and Punchbowl in Brookline, MA. With a background in education, restaurant owner...
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  Jeff Gates, COO of Columbus Hospitality Group, on Elevating the Art of Service in the Tech Age 06.05.2026 43p

  What does it take to lead in a changing industry? In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Jeff Gates, Chief Operating Officer of the Columbus Hospitality Group (CHG), about the lessons that his many years in restaurants have taught him about leadership, resilience, and the power of people. From his first job at the dish table to overseeing some of Boston’s most celebrated restaurants, Jeff shares how humility, empathy, and consistency have shaped his philosophy: hospita...
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  Putting Philoxenia into Practice with Demetri Tsolakis, CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality 27.03.2026 41p

  Demetri Tsolakis, CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality, reflected on a powerful, yet often forgotten idea: hospitality is not a transaction, but a human obligation. Drawing from the ancient Greek philosophy of philoxenia, Tsolakis described hospitality as the act of turning a stranger into a friend, an approach that shapes every decision across his restaurants. The discussion also explored how this philosophy extends behind the scenes. Tsolakis shared his people-first approach to leadership, ...
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  The Cycles Are the Opportunity: Ian Livingstone on Crises, Capital, and Long-Game Real Estate 05.01.2026 37p

  What do you do when the real estate market collapses? If you’re Ian Livingstone, you buy. In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Ian Livingstone, the co-founder of London & Regional Properties, one of the UK’s largest private real estate groups, about what it really takes to build a £12 billion global empire, through booms, crashes, and everything in between. Livingstone shares how he went from running 170 optician stores to reshaping urban skylin...
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  The Heart of Hospitality: Bashar Wali on Emotion, Belonging, and What AI Can’t Replace 21.11.2025 48p

  Most leaders talk about transforming hospitality. Bashar Wali actually walked away from a $150 million hotel portfolio to do it. The founder of This Assembly, Wali is building a new kind of hospitality ecosystem, one centered on emotion, belonging, and human connection rather than automation and efficiency. In this episode, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Wali about why the future of hospitality isn’t just digital, but deeply human. From challenging the idea that loyalty can be bought with point...
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  The Four-Pillar Framework for Talent Management in Hospitality: Sarah Diehl on Culture, Values & Leadership 06.10.2025 49p

  When Sarah Diehl’s corporate HR role was eliminated, she called it “the best thing that could have happened.” Out of that setback came Empowered Hospitality, a consulting firm dedicated to helping restaurants and hotels build resilient, people-first teams. In this conversation with Dean Arun Upneja, Sarah shares her four-pillar framework for talent management and explains why culture, onboarding, and employee experience are the true engines of success, whether you’re leading a small nei...
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  Amanda Hyndman, Chief Operating Officer of Mandarin Oriental: Redefining Luxury from the Inside Out 04.08.2025 36p

  Imagine walking through the gilded corridors of a legendary hotel—where service feels like an art form, and every guest isn’t just remembered, but known. Amanda Hyndman has helped shape one of the world’s most admired hotel brands. Beginning her journey with Mandarin Oriental nearly 20 years ago as a general manager, she has built meaningful, memorable guest experiences. Her 2023 appointment as Chief People & Culture Officer underscored Mandarin Oriental’s belief that its people are...
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  Ed Brown, CEO of Restaurant Associates: The Right Ingredients for Hospitality at Scale 22.07.2025 42p

  Although he wears the CEO suit and title, Ed Brown counters that he’s a chef at heart. He has bridged the world of white-tablecloth fine dining and high-scale institutional foodservice, without losing the soul of either. Ed Brown began his career behind the line, rising through the world of fine dining to earn national acclaim as Executive Chef at The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center. That same philosophy — care, craft, and clarity of purpose — now underpins his leadership as CEO of Rest...
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  George Poll on Building Distinctive Dining Experiences from Long Island to Miami 19.12.2024 38p

  George Poll has spent decades building some of Long Island’s most celebrated restaurants. Alongside his brother, he’s crafted iconic dining experiences from Bryant & Cooper Steakhouse to Toku Modern Asian, blending culinary creativity with sharp business acumen. Recently, George took his expertise to Miami, where the journey to open Toku wasn’t exactly smooth sailing—facing all the challenges that come with launching in a new city. This episode is a masterclass in the fine balance b...
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  Unlocking Ultra-Luxury with Managing Director Luigi Romaniello on the Grand Reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York 04.12.2024 37p

  Set to reopen after a seven-year restoration, the Waldorf Astoria New York is poised to redefine ultra-luxury hospitality. In this episode, Managing Director Luigi Romaniello takes us through the journey of bringing the Waldorf Astoria back to life, from restoring storied frescoes and architectural details to creating highly personalized experiences for today’s sophisticated travelers. He shares his philosophy on ultra-luxury, emphasizing service precision, meaningful guest connections, and t...
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  Inhospitable? Redefining Service in Luxury Hospitality with Kate Buhler, Founder and President of Profitable to Train 05.11.2024 39p

  Kate Buhler, founder and president of Profitable to Train, is a leading expert in hospitality service excellence and profitability. With decades of experience across luxury brands including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Baccarat, Peninsula, and Bulgari, Kate is known for her unique approach to training that drives both employee satisfaction and financial success. Her new book, Inhospitable: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in Service, tackles a critical question in...
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  Aldau Development: Modern Hospitality Meets Millennia-Old Treasures 28.10.2024 38p

  Aldau Development has earned a reputation for excellence in both Real Estate and Hospitality, with developments in Egypt and the United Kingdom. Their strategic partnerships with marquee brands such as Hyatt International, IHG, and Deutsche Hospitality have further cemented their standing internationally. Boston University School of Hospitality and Questrom School of Business designed a customized Executive Education program for Aldau -- a testament to Aldau's commitment to leadership a...
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  Tipping & Wages Series: Politics Play Up the Benefits of Eliminating Taxes on Tips 23.09.2024 16p

  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both have proposed eliminating taxes on tips for service workers. While seemingly beneficial, it might just not add up according to renowned economics expert Larry Kotlikoff. Named one of the world’s 25 most influential economists by The Economist Magazine, Kotlikoff has advised the Federal Reserve, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and various other prestigious organizations. He is also a Professor of Economics at Boston University, with expert...
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  Leadership Series: Practical Strategies for Bridging Leadership Gaps with Executive Coach Lori Mazan 05.09.2024 35p

  What does it take to truly redefine leadership in today's fast-paced world? Lori Mazan, co-founder and Chief Coaching Officer at Sounding Board, shares practical and transformative strategies to address this challenge. In her new book, Leadership Revolution: The Future of Developing Dynamic Leaders, Lori offers a fresh perspective that rethinks outdated leadership norms. In this special podcast episode on leadership, Arun Upneja is joined by Dr. Taylor Peyton, an expert in Leadership an...
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  Saru Jayaraman Fights for One Fair Wage 20.08.2024 52p

  The battle over raising the minimum wage for tipped workers and permitting tip pooling bounces to the Massachusetts ballot this November. Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at UC Berkeley, argues that the current tipped wage structure perpetuates low pay and high turnover. Although the wage increase would occur over five years, opponents assert the mandate would be detrimental to some small and independent restaurants and could fail to in...
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  Tipping Series: The Psychology of Tipping with Michael Lynn, Ph.D., Professor of Services Marketing, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration 17.07.2024 40p

  Beyond good, bad, and mediocre service, how much we tip and why we tip is rich with psychological implications. Find out what tipping reveals about us as consumers and our need for affirmation and societal status. Shedding light on the complexities behind tipping is nationally recognized expert Michael Lynn, Ph.D. , Professor of Services Marketing at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. A former bartender, busboy, and waiter, Michael Lynn, has also devoted his academic caree...