Hotel alliance makes key appointments to bolster its executive staff
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the independent hotel branding alliance, has announced three new appointments to its leadership team, all held by accomplished female executives. These appointments reflect GHA's commitment to strengthening leadership with experienced women who have been instrumental in driving its growth, innovation, and sustainability initiatives.
Katharina Dein, Jelena Kezika, and Andrea Krenn have recently taken on senior leadership roles at GHA.
In her new role as Vice President Commercial, Katharina Dein will focus on optimizing the performance of newly integrated hotel properties during their critical launch phase. She joined GHA in 2013 as the first member of the Commercial team and has been key in overseeing brand portfolios and forging strong relationships. Notably, she helped develop an online training platform used worldwide by tens of thousands in the industry.
Jelena Kezika has been appointed as Vice President Strategy. She has played an instrumental part in shaping GHA's growth story through the ongoing evolution of its loyalty program, GHA DISCOVERY. In her new role, Jelena will continue to shape GHA's future, planning, developing, and implementing new strategies. She has also spearheaded the alliance's sustainability efforts and fostered a culture of corporate responsibility.
Andrea Krenn was appointed as Senior Vice President Communications, a newly created position. She has led GHA’s global public relations since 2021, bringing extensive international experience. In this role, Andrea leads communications efforts to support GHA’s brand and corporate messaging on a global scale, strengthening the group’s voice and reputation within the travel and hospitality industry.
These appointments are expected to shape the future of Global Hotel Alliance's business. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the total GHA workforce and 60% of the leadership team, making GHA a leader in championing female representation in the hospitality industry.
Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, has expressed pride in the appointments, stating, "These women have been instrumental in driving our growth, innovation, and sustainability initiatives, and I am confident they will continue to shape the future of our business."
Meanwhile, GHA continues to expand and innovate in the travel and hospitality space. New brands such as Cinnamon Hotels (Sri Lanka), Sunway (Malaysia), and Rotana (UAE) are set to join in 2025.
In other news, Theodore Koumelis, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of a media network, is responsible for business development and planning for the network's long-term opportunities.
[1] Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Appoints Katharina Dein as Vice President Commercial [2] Jelena Kezika Appointed as Vice President Strategy at GHA [3] Andrea Krenn Named Senior Vice President Communications at GHA [4] GHA Announces Three Appointments to Strengthen Leadership Team [5] GHA Leadership Team Now Comprised of Nearly Two-Thirds Women, a First in the Hospitality Industry
- Katharina Dein, in her new role as Vice President Commercial at Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), will work on optimizing the performance of newly integrated hotel properties during their critical launch phase.
- Jelena Kezika, now Vice President Strategy at GHA, was instrumental in shaping GHA's growth story through the evolution of its loyalty program, GHA DISCOVERY, and will continue to shape GHA's future by planning, developing, and implementing new strategies.
- Andrea Krenn, the new Senior Vice President Communications at GHA, leads communications efforts to support GHA’s brand and corporate messaging on a global scale, strengthening the group’s voice and reputation within the travel and hospitality industry.
- With these appointments, nearly two-thirds of the total GHA workforce and 60% of the leadership team are women, making GHA a leader in championing female representation in the hospitality industry.
