Wilka Leadership Talks

VIP guest: Marcelo Bicudo, founder of Travel Cash, a UK-based company that has been innovating the travel and hospitality market with cashback and loyalty solutions focused on real results for hotels and consumers. Travel Cash stands out for offering an intelligent platform that connects hotels with travelers around the world, transforming bookings into loyalty opportunities with technology, agili...

Thato Manyoga, a key leader in Revenue Management shared his vast experience with top hotel brands to drive operational success and exceptional RevPAR growth. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa and lived in NYC, NJ, and Miami Beach! Thato pursues his PhD in Organizational Leadership. Based in Miami, he’s passionate about leadership, travel, and culinary adventures!

Burnell Goldman is a seasoned hospitality executive with nearly 33 years of experience leading hotels across multiple markets. A five-time General Manager and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alumnus, he is known for driving performance, developing leaders, and navigating complex, mixed-use environments. He currently serves as Area General Manager with Modus Hotels by PM Hotel Gro...

Jason D’Agostino is one of the architects behind integrated commercial strategies that bring together revenue management, sales, marketing, and digital performance across leading hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Best Western, and independent portfolios. Most recently with Visions Hotels, he helped scale the company from 25 to over 70 hotels and more than $300M in annual revenue — unit...

We’re thrilled to welcome Amanda Frank to the next episode of Leadership Talks ! With over 15 years of experience in the fast-paced world of hospitality, Amanda is a powerhouse executive known for her ability to drive results, build high-performance teams, and open markets with impact. Amanda has led the successful opening of more than 40 hotels, consistently surpassing RevPAR targets and raising...

Lynn Zwibak is a dynamic revenue management expert who bridges the gap between theory and practice in the hospitality industry. As an adjunct professor at Virginia Tech University and founder of her own consultancy, she brings a unique blend of academic insight and hands-on experience from her revenue management leadership across the U.S., Asia, and Africa. Drawing from her background in group sal...

With over 18 years of expertise in hospitality sales, Muhammad Tanveer has established himself as a transformational leader known for driving exceptional revenue growth and fostering high-performing sales teams. His leadership spans across global markets, delivering sustained sales excellence and strategic market expansion. Key Achievements: ✔ 2024: Ranked #1 LinkedIn Sales Leader in Pakistan (Fav...

We’re thrilled to be joined by Cerissa Olson , a dynamic leader with a passion for service, strategy, and elevating experiences. Cerissa currently serves as the Director of Sales & Services at Visit Lubbock , where she plays a key role in attracting and supporting conventions, meetings, and events that bring people and business to the heart of West Texas. With a strong background in hospitalit...

In this episode of Leadership Talks, we sit down with Jeremy Huvard, a seasoned hospitality sales and marketing leader with over 15 years of experience driving revenue growth and brand success. As the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Donohoe Hospitality Services, Jeremy has played a pivotal role in optimizing market strategies for top hotel brands, including IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt. Be...

Welcome to another episode of the Leadership Talks podcast, where we dive into the minds of inspiring leaders who are shaping industries and driving change. Today, we are honored to feature Nicole Basch! Nicole is an award-winning sales leader with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. As the Area Director of Sales for Commonwealth Hotels, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, s...

Leadership Talks Podcast Episode: Exploring the World Through People, Culture, and Experiences with Yves Pouliot Welcome to another inspiring episode of Leadership Talks ! Today, we dive into the world of travel—not just as a journey from one place to another, but as a transformative experience shaped by the people we meet, the cultures we discover, and the moments that stay with us forever. Our g...

We’re joined by Christopher Ellison Vice President of Revenue at Brittain Resorts & Hotels. With over two decades in hospitality, Chris has built a career from the ground up starting as a bellman and rising to leadership roles in revenue management. His expertise spans global consulting, technological integrations, and optimizing hotel performance. Get ready for an insightful conversation on i...

Pankaj is the Founder and CEO of RedFox, a leading destination management company in Southeast Asia. RedFox specializes in providing a wide range of products and services to its B2B partners through a single, seamless platform powered by in-house technology. The company's core strength lies in creating experience-based offerings and working closely with local communities to develop sustainable ser...

Scott Quigley is a hospitality professional with 20+ years experience in hotel operations, sales, revenue and specializes in brand management, strategy and design. He has been part of the transformation of iconic brands including the re-launch of Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, InterContinental Hotels, and lead guest experience and innovation for Choice Hotels’ ups...

Abdulla Almutairi is a strong, vibrant and hands on operator with an extensive Rooms Division and F&B background, a Hospitality Major, and extensive experience on the front lines of both branded and independent lifestyle hotels. 

VIP Guest: Fiona McDonnell International executive with track record in motivating people, driving change, and delivering profitable growth in the Online Retail and Consumer Goods industries. Fiona is a leader with over 30 years' varied experience across the consumer products industry and e-commerce marketplaces, growing house hold names including Kellogg’s, Kraft Jacobs Suchard, Nike and McCormic...

“Motto”: Sparking Connections and Transforming the Journey, One BOLD step at a time. Meet Kima—a powerhouse executive coach, facilitator, and speaker who knows how to light up a room and ignite change. With a knack for helping leaders master Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Communication, and Team Dynamics (especially in those high-conflict, high-stakes situations), she’s the secret weapon behi...

Lou Zameryka is Lou Zameryka is global travel industry veteran. He spent 17 years building global commercial strategies, partnerships and teams at Booking.com. He has also served on the national board of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association. Lou is an active real estate investor in the multi-family and short-term rental space In addition to his role with Ventures Hospitality, Lou has a...

VIP guest Ramon R. Teran

Theresa Dunn is an Award winning 24 year high performing relationship and business development professional passionate for creating unique experiences at every interaction. Purposeful, visionary leader with a strategic mindset and core focus on driving results through creativity and innovation in both behavioral healthcare and hospitality. Committed to continuous process improvement and staff deve...

Claudia Eggspuhler is a successful Women in Hospitality, she has 20 years of experience in hospitality and tourism managing hotels across the US. Eggspuhler, A Swiss native, built a career developing personnel and original programming at dynamic, respected hotels. Most recently she serves as the General Manager at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall. Claudia has also earned degrees in Hotel Man...

Mirian Ortega is a goal oriented Sales & Marketing Director with a 20 years of experience in various leadership roles within the hospitality industry. Mirian embodies the passion for sales but also loves the operations part of the hotel day to day business. One of the best rewarding things Mirian enjoys in her role is being able to help other hospitality professional reach their personal and profe...

Angela Webb is a vision-driven sales executive with a 20+ year track record in team leadership, operations management, and proactive communications eager to leverage skills in a new role at a growing company.

Igor Gaspareto shares his ownership career expertise in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso - Brazil.

Vagner Sardinha, Diretor de Desenvolvimento de Novos Negócios e Expansão no Samba Hotéis, professor de Vendas Estratégicas no Hotel College e Council Member - Tourism & Travel Industry Expert na Rede GLG