Sarah shares why she trusts her instincts when it comes to evaluating risks and the impact her preparation and practice have on her public speaking. She discusses the importance of the outdoors and physical activity on her overall performance and why curiosity is important. She talks about how developing human connections can help you feel more at ease in any environment, how she tackles moments of self-doubt, and what she'd tell her younger self.

Rafat Ali shares his journey from engineer-turned-journalist to serial media entrepreneur, reflecting on the choices, setbacks, and grit behind building Skift. We explore the most admired leadership qualities, founder-led passion, and customer empathy. Don’t miss his parting advice on career compounding, travel, embracing contrarian views, and the power of “ask and you shall receive.”

Brian shares why investing time upfront is one of the keys to building high-performing teams. He also explains how his The Power of Gratitude at Work program helps transform organizations – and why it’s easy to do. Brian underscores the importance of public speaking and why loving what you do, saying Yes, and raising your hand for more opportunities are critical.

Baron shares how he approaches taking major risks, including moving to 5 countries on 3 continents, and the opportunities created by working in emerging markets, plus how those experiences enhanced his career in the U.S. He also explains why one should not pursue a mentor simply because they occupy a role you aspire to as well as the two key qualities he looks for on his teams.

Leora reveals opportunities to attract and retain the next generation, and she debunks myths about them. Leora also shares tips for developing one’s network into friendships and why doing great work is only Part A of what’s needed to succeed. Plus, she discusses ageism in our industry and why young people should say Yes to opportunities.

One of hospitality’s most prolific, well-respected presenters, Jan shares his public speaking journey, including specific things to do before, during, and after your presentation to elevate your public speaking. He also shares how raising your hand can help you to be “seen” by senior leaders, how he navigates tremendous ambiguity, and why acknowledging people’s humanity is critical.

Rod shares his journey from working in high school catering services to becoming President of HVS. He reflects on his growth as a public speaker and his preparation, his approach to leadership, and why he prioritizes and models wellness and self-care. As an openly gay, Latino senior executive, Rob highlights the critical role that workplace culture, inclusion, and representation play in shaping his leadership.

Jacob shares how an early love of video games led to a career in technology and the hospitality industry. He discusses why trust is critical in leadership, reflects on his own leadership evolution and philosophies, and why anticipating and learning from challenges is more important than being perfect. Jacob also talks about cooking as a form of self care and why relationships matter in an industry that seems so large but is really so small.