{"id":17536,"date":"2023-06-26T15:55:32","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T19:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/?page_id=17536"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T19:32:07","slug":"distinguished-podcast","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/distinguished-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Distinguished Podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/12\/Distinguished-Podcast-header.svg\"><img src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/12\/Distinguished-Podcast-header.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23543\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Welcome to the <strong>Distinguished<\/strong> <strong>Podcast<\/strong>. Here, we skip the small talk and get right into the top-of-mind topics in the world of Hospitality, including and certainly not limited to recruiting and retaining talent, wellness and well-being of our team and our guests, climate action, and the impact of robotics and AI on the future of Hospitality.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll hear from executives, founders, and investors who live and breathe Hospitality. The \u201cdistinguished\u201d guests on this podcast represent all areas of our industry, from hotels and restaurants to entertainment and sporting venues, travel and tourism, and of course, a favorite pastime for many of us\u2014shopping\u2014because to put it simply, Hospitality is at play in most parts of our lives and livelihood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/distinguished-touchpoint\/\" class=\"button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Distinguished Touchpoints<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><script type='text\/javascript' charset='utf-8' src='https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/2204366.js?container_id=buzzsprout-large-player&#038;player=large'><\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">View Season I Guests<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19031 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-real-estate-council\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/hilina-d-ajakaiye-2\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/10\/1692064055263-e1697042829510-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Hilina Ajakaiye<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Executive Vice President, Meet Boston<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-17286 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/deborah-burns\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-08-at-2.18.48-PM-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Deborah Burns<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Executive Director, New England Inns &#038; Resorts Association<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-323 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-advisory-board affiliation-deans-distinguished-speakers\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/ian-carter\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2018\/06\/thumbnail_IMG_0343-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ian Carter\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Ian R. Carter<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chairman of the Board;<br \/>\r\nChairman, Watches of Switzerland Group PLC;<br \/>\r\nChairman, Eataly<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-11605 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-deans-distinguished-speakers affiliation-executive-in-residence\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/niren-chaudhary\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2021\/09\/Headshot-Niren-2022-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Niren Chaudhary<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chairman, Panera Brands<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-18801 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/keith-craig\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/09\/keith_craig-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Keith Craig<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Senior Development Director, NB Development Group<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-17279 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/mark-dalessandro\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-08-at-2.00.18-PM-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Mark D&#8217;Alessandro<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Director of Operations, Columbus Hospitality Group<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-8686 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-deans-distinguished-speakers\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/vera-manoukian\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2021\/01\/Vera-Manoukian-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Vera Manoukian 2021 Dean&#039;s Distinguished Lecture Speaker\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Vera Manoukian<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">C-Suite Executive, Operations<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19394 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-deans-distinguished-speakers\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/tim-mclaughlin\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/11\/Tim-McLaughlin-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Tim McLaughlin<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-founder and CEO,\u00a0GoTab, Inc.<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-17266 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/doug-rauch\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-08-at-1.25.14-PM-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Doug Rauch<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Founder and President, Daily Table<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-17262 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/james-riley\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-08-at-1.10.06-PM-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">James Riley<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-16138 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-advisory-board\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/christopher-simms-board-member\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/02\/MicrosoftTeams-image-35-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Christopher Simms<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Executive Officer and Founder,<br \/>\r\nThe Lazy Dog Restaurant &#038; Bar<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-18822 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/steven-upchurch\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/09\/Upchurch_Steven-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Steven Upchurch<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-Managing Director, Gensler<br \/>\r\nGensler&#8217;s Client Relationships Management Committee<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-17283 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/anthony-valletta\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/05\/Anthony-Valletta.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Anthony Valletta<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">President and CEO, bartaco<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-12128 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-hospitality-leadership-summit\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/quendrida-whitmore\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2022\/01\/Quendrida-headshot-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Quendrida Whitmore<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Quendrida Whitmore Coaching &#038; Consulting<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">View Season II Guests<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19438 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/allison-ausband\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/11\/1687453119109-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Allison Ausband<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer, Delta Air Lines<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-20209 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/tj-callahan\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/03\/7cc56495-a5f5-4600-9657-5932aae0ed25-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">TJ Callahan<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-founder and owner, Farm Bar<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-20411 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/stephen-clark\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/04\/Steve-Clark-New-2023-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Stephen Clark<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">President and Chief Executive Officer, The Massachusetts Restaurant Association<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-3189 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-advisory-board\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/ann-m-fastiggi-advisory-board-member\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2019\/07\/Ann-Fastiggi-Photo-e1564422724653.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Ann Fastiggi<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Consultant, Global Consumer Practice, specializing in hospitality and leisure, Spencer Stuart<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19654 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-deans-distinguished-speakers\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/saru-jayaraman\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/12\/Sara-Jayaraman-e1703007254149-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Saru Jayaraman<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">President, One Fair Wage<br \/>\r\nDirector of Food Labor Research Center, UC Berkeley<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-20047 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/michael-lynn\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/02\/img-1676c-w742-o-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Michael Lynn<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Professor of Services Marketing, Cornell University&#8217;s\u00a0School of Hotel Administration<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22216 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/lori-mazan\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/08\/Lori-Headshot-2024-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Lori Mazan<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-Founder, President &#038; Chief Coaching Officer, Sounding Board<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-20042 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/cindy-novotny\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/02\/Cindy-Novotny-Headshot-2023-scaled-e1715277303785-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Cindy Novotny<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Managing Partner, Master Connection Associates<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19827 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/taylor-peyton-2\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/01\/Headshot-HR-Tech-Oct-2024-Edited-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Taylor Peyton<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Workplace Psychologist &#038; Leadership Development Expert<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-19834 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/dondra-ritzenthaler\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/01\/Dondra-Ritzenthaler-Headshot-2025-Formal-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Dondra Ritzenthaler<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Executive Officer, Azamara Cruises<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-9853 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-advisory-board affiliation-sha-summer-series-speakers\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/julienne-smith-board-member\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2021\/05\/JulienneSmithHeadshot2-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Julienne Smith<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Head of Americas Growth, Hyatt<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-20149 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/oliver-winter\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/03\/1571819070634-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Oliver Winter<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">CEO, a&#038;o Hostels<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">View Season III Guests<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22411 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/kate-buhler\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/09\/Kate.Buhler.Headshot-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Kate Buhler<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">President, Profitable to Train<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22870 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/tarek-el-masry\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/10\/1631530382401-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Tarek El Masry<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Operating Officer (Hospitality Division), ALDAU Management<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22363 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/laurence-kotlikoff\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/09\/HomepageHeadshot-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Laurence Kotlikoff<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Professor of economics at BU College of Arts &#038; Sciences; President of Economic Security Planning; New York Times best-selling author<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22868 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/mario-larese\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/10\/MARIO-LARESE-PROFESSIONAL-PICTURE-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Mario Larese<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Director of Development &#038; Technical Services (Hospitality Division), ALDAU Development<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-3058 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-advisory-board affiliation-distinguished-alumni affiliation-undergraduate-alumni\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/george-poll\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2019\/05\/poll_brothers_final-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">George Poll<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-founder, Poll Restaurants<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-22625 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/luigi-romaniello\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2024\/09\/Luigi-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Luigi Romaniello<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Managing Director, Waldorf Astoria New York<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">View Season IV Guests<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-27499 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-hospitality-leadership-summit\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/brandon-barton\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/02\/Brandon-Barton-headshot-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Brandon Barton<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">CEO of Bite<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-25712 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/ed-brown\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2025\/04\/EdHomePage-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Ed Brown<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Executive Officer, Restaurant Associates<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-26566 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/sarah-diehl\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2025\/07\/Sarah-Diehl-scaled-e1681925499100-505x636-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Sarah Diehl<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Founder and Principal, Empowered Hospitality<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-26439 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/jeffrey-gates\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2025\/06\/Jeff-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Jeffrey Gates<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Operations Officer, Columbus Hospitality Group<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-27495 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-hospitality-leadership-summit\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/kristen-hawley\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-04-07-155401-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Kristen Hawley<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Founder of Expedite and Co-Host of The Simmer podcast<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-26570 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/amanda-hyndman\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2025\/07\/909741b85d2261a1596c15533d27d7a4-t-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Amanda Hyndman<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Chief Operating Officer, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-27855 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/jaclyn-leibl-cote\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/1579640178964-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Jaclyn Leibl-Cote<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">President &#038; CEO of Collette<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-27779 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/ian-livingstone\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-04-133548-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Ian Livingstone<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Co-founder of London &#038; Regional Properties<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-27502 profile type-profile status-publish hentry affiliation-hospitality-leadership-summit\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/judy-thelen\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/02\/1727195986228-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Judy Thelen<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">CEO &#038; Co-founder of beli<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-18622 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/demetri-tsolakis\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2023\/09\/Screenshot-2023-09-08-at-9.34.18-AM-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Demetri Tsolakis<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">CEO, Xenia Greek Hospitality<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-advanced has-title post-29080 profile type-profile status-publish hentry\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/jen-ziskin\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-advanced\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-advanced\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/05\/1621424721538-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-advanced\">Jen Ziskin<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-advanced\">Executive Director, Mass Restaurants United; Co-Owner\/Wine &#038; Events Director, La Morra &#038; Punch Bowl Brookline MA<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>You can subscribe to this series wherever you find your favorite podcasts.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Listen to the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/distinguished.buzzsprout.com\">&#8220;Distinguished&#8221;<\/a> episodes.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201cDistinguished\u201d podcast is produced by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston University School of Hospitality Administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Host: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/arun-upneja-dean\/\" style=\"color: #cc0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Arun Upneja, Ph.D.<\/a><\/span><\/span>, Dean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Producer: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/mara-littman\/\" style=\"color: #cc0000; text-decoration: underline;\">Mara Littman<\/a><\/span><\/span>, Executive Director of Strategic Operations &amp; Corporate Relations<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Music Credit: \u201cAirport Lounge&#8221; Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License<br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Distinguished Podcast. Here, we skip the small talk and get right into the top-of-mind topics in the world of Hospitality, including and certainly not limited to recruiting and retaining talent, wellness and well-being of our team and our guests, climate action, and the impact of robotics and AI on the future of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22001,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":30,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17536"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22001"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17536"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29390,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17536\/revisions\/29390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}