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Jessica Janis, director and practice leader for hospitality at Corning Optical Communications LLC, is appointed the new honorary trustee of the AHLA Foundation. Janis will now serve as a member on its board of trustees, AHLA Foundation said in a statement. "Jess and Corning have long been passionate advocates and supporters of the AHLA Foundation and our work," said Anna Blue, president of AHLA Foundation. "We are thrilled to welcome her to our dedicated group of Trustees, steadfastly committed not only to the growth of our industry but also to the success of its people." "It's an honor to contribute to an organization shaping the future of hospitality, empowering the industry's next wave of leaders," said Janis. "At Corning, it's my privilege to help drive transformation in the hospitality sector through cutting-edge connectivity. With the AHLA Foundation, I anticipate collaborating with fellow Trustees to enhance educational opportunities, support research, and promote diversity-ensuring a vibrant and inclusive hospitality industry."

THE AHLA FOUNDATION recently expanded its travel scholarship program with historically Black colleges and universities supported by a 2023 grant from the Nareit Foundation's Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Giving Campaign. The foundation also announced its 2024 officers and board of trustees, further diversifying the board's representation of industry segments, AHLA Foundation said in a statement. "HBCUs are an incredible, yet underestimated, resource for talent" said AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue. "Travel scholarships are an important tool for fostering inclusion at the earliest stages and help to increase exposure to the different parts of industry, including hotel and lodging REITs." The $85,000 grant from the Nareit Foundation, Nareit's philanthropic arm, will facilitate HBCU students' attendance at REIT- and investment-focused events, including the Hunter: Hotel Investment Conference in March and the NYU International Hospitality Industry Conference in June, the statement said.

KEVIN JACOBS, HILTON's CFO and president of Global Development, is the 2024 chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The association also named new officers, executive committee and board of directors, including Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, as vice chair. The association also named other new officers, executive committee and board of directors. They include Liam Brown, group president for Marriott International, U.S. and Canada, as secretary/treasurer and Julienne Smith, chief development officer, Americas, for IHG Hotels & Resorts, as the chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees, AHLA said in a statement. "It's an honor to serve as chair and help build upon AHLA's impressive record of accomplishments on behalf of the hospitality industry nationwide," said Jacobs. "I look forward to helping AHLA advance policies in support of our incredible industry, deliver exceptional member services and communications support, and rally the industry around our shared priorities."