Areas of Expertise
- Strategic management, hospitality management, leadership, food and beverage management, training and development, executive education, cruise industry, wine education, beverage industry trends, customer experience (CX), systems analysis, instructional design and entrepreneurship
Education
- B.S. in hospitality management, Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration (1997)
- M.S. in strategic management, University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management (2005)
Professional Experience
For more than 20 years, I have worked in learning and organizational development across the hospitality, beverage and service industries. I’ve designed and launched cutting-edge training programs, including AI-driven digital learning platforms, and collaborated with global brands like Bacardi and Royal Caribbean International. As the founding director of the Bacardi Center of Excellence at Florida International University, I led strategic initiatives in leadership training, workforce development and curriculum innovation. As a dedicated educator and mentor, I am passionate about student development, fostering emerging talent and guiding future industry leaders. I have spoken at TEDx and have been recognized as an award-winning educator. In my work, I seek to apply a strategic mindset with a commitment to growth, operational excellence and creating impactful learning experiences for students and professionals.
Media Coverage
Today Show, Fox and Friends, WSVN7News Miami, NBC6 South Florida, NBC News Now, Miami New Times, Leisure & Hospitality, The Modern Bar, Miami Ethnic Food, Miami Herald Tampa Bay Times, Sun Sentinel, Sizzle Magazine, Herald-Tribune, VinePair