Meet our Board Members

Our Board is composed of corporate and community leaders committed to advancing AHEAD’s mission through their guidance and expertise, striving to create a more inclusive and equitable hospitality industry. Scroll below to meet our dedicated leaders.

 Executive Committee

Our executive committee distinguished individuals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the forefront of AHEAD's leadership. Heartfelt congratulations are extended to each member of the executive committee, recognizing the pivotal role they will play in guiding AHEAD towards new heights.

Dan Fenton is a seasoned professional in finance, tourism, and hospitality, boasting extensive experience in marketing and asset management. Currently serving as Managing Director at JLL, he plays a pivotal role in the global tourism activities and has led strategic planning efforts for various destinations. With a background as CEO of Team San Jose for nearly two decades, Dan oversaw substantial renovation projects, contract negotiations, and annual booking of over 250,000 room nights. His expertise contributes significantly to JLL's expansion in tourism advisory services following the acquisition of SAG.

Daniel Fenton

Chair

Managing Director, Global Tourism Advisory & Destination Development, JLL

Nikki Massey played critical roles in developing Hyatt Hotels Corporation's design thinking approach and rolling out the company’s purpose journey, “to care for people to be their best.” Prior to her current role, Nikki was responsible for global learning, culture & engagement combined with implementing key change management techniques to drive these strategies.

Today she leads the Americas region as the senior vice president of human resources in efforts to evolve Hyatt’s culture as the hotel and travel industry continues to operate within a dynamic and challenging environment.

 Nikki Massey

Vice Chair

SVP, HR Hyatt Hotels Corp

David Whitaker brings a wealth of experience to our organization, currently holding the position of President and CEO at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), a destination marketing organization (DMO). His leadership extends beyond Miami-Dade County, as he previously served as the President and CEO of Tourism Toronto (now Destination Toronto) for eight years. During his tenure at Choose Chicago, he held the same role and played a pivotal role in promoting and selling McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the United States.

 David Whitaker

Secretary

Pres & CEO, Greater Miami CVB

Jennifer clark Fugolo as the charitable giving and social impact arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the Foundation works to support the industry’s greatest asset – its people – by providing impactful solutions that drive the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals for careers in hospitality. Jenn oversees inclusion informed program development and delivery and drives stakeholder engagement efforts that influence adoption of programs among AHLA members. More recently, she assumed leadership responsibility to expand and strengthen ForWard, an industry-wide initiative to advance women leaders through a holistic suite of community building, events, professional development opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

Jennifer Clark Fugolo

Treasurer

VP, Advancement at AHLF

 Members

Our general AHEAD Board members are a collective force dedicated to steering our vision and mission with unwavering commitment.

Founder and current Executive Director of the Alliance for Hospitality Equity Action and Diversity (AHEAD), has joined NYU School of Professional Studies. In this dual role, he will teach marketing and entrepreneurship courses while contributing to NYU's all-welcoming initiatives, to include leading hashtag #AHEAD, now a 501c3 organization.

With over two decades of leadership in hospitality and academia, Professor Brian Barker's achievements include leading a Four Seasons hotel to its first AAA-Five Diamond Award, founding and Chairing a DE&I Special Interest Group (SIG) for the leading body on hospitality education, ICHRIE. As AHEAD's Founding Executive Director, he has curated a council and board with leaders from AHLAF, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, JLL, SGWS, Bacardi, Bloomin' Brands, and other academic institutions.

Brian Barker

Executive Director & Founder

Visiting Assoc. Prof, NYU

Evan Fraizer joins us with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors having served as a trustee or board member for more than 30 community agencies and civic organizations over the years. Currently he is the president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute and sits on the Dollar Bank Board of Directors. During Frazier’s years as an undergraduate student at the Cornell Hotel School, he co-founded the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) along with Michael Burkeen, Alfred Watts, and Penelope Wint. As well as a newly inducted alumni into the Cornell Hotel Society Hall of Fame listed as a “Game Changer” as he’s changed the hospitality industry since graduating from Cornell in 1992. Now more than 30 years later with several dozen chapters, NSMH as a student-run organization continues to play an important role in minority advancement in the hospitality industry.

Evan Frazier

Senior Advisor

Pres & CEO, The Adv. Leadership Institute

Dr. Berkita Bradford played a pivotal role in the establishment of AHEAD during its inception as a project within FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, contributing significantly to our mission. We express our gratitude for her invaluable wisdom and leadership.

Currently serving as the Chair of the HBCU Hospitality Consortium, Dr. Bradford is a distinguished voice and scholar in the hospitality field. With leadership roles in both academia and the hospitality industry, she has notably chaired and held the rank of Full Professor at the Virginia State University hospitality program. And now proudly serves as Associate Professor & Department Chair for the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Administration in the School of Business at North Carolina Central University. Additionally, Dr. Bradford is a board member of Hotelling International USA (HI USA).

Berkita Bradford

Co-Founder

Associate Professor & Department Chair, North Carolina Central University

DeShaun Wise Porter brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization as the Vice President and Global Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Recognition at Hilton. A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), DeShaun has played a pivotal role as a founding council member of AHEAD. Always demonstrating her dedication to our mission. We are honored to have her deepen her commitment by becoming a founding board member as we embark on our journey towards nonprofit status.

DeShaun Wise Porter

VP of HR, Hilton

Mahogani Chery is an exceptionally talented leader serving as the Head of Transformation, Engagement, and Belonging for Bacardi . Her remarkable leadership skills have been evident through the fruitful partnership between Bacardi and FIU over the years.

Mahogani's commitment to being a catalyst for positive change extends beyond her professional endeavors, as demonstrated by her dedicated commitment to AHEAD. We are privileged to have Mahogani on our board, contributing her expertise and passion to further our mission.

Mahogani Chery

ED of Business Transformation & Engagement, Bacardi

Eddie Bergman is incredibly valuable to our board as he comes with extensive experience in not only hospitality but in supporting boards as well. Previously he served on the boards for the Museum for African Art and the Rubin Museum of Art. Eddie also co-founded and serves as President of the Board of MCW Global (Miracle Corners of the World), an NGO devoted to empowering youth to make positive change in their communities, with a special focus on Africa.

Currently he is the President of Proxima Hospitality Group, a restaurant management company which owns and manages Hill and Bay (Murray Hill, NYC), and Innovative Development Services (IDS), a firm focusing on New York City real estate management and development as well as global hospitality marketing services. We’re very lucky to have his wisdom and expertise.

Eddie Bergman

Advisory Board Member, NYU Tisch Center & CEO, Proxima Hospitality Group

As the Vice President of Human Resources, Kimberly Reed has provided thought leadership to and championed the development and execution of human capital management strategies for Marriott's Global Sales and other organizations. After 32 years with Marriott, Kim hopes that "her own experience can serve as an example" of how much opportunity there is in the hospitality industry, especially for people of color.

Kimberly Reed

VP of HR, Marriott

Crystal (Tessaro) Beasley brings a wealth of experience as General Counsel, with a proven track record in the hospitality industry. Her expertise spans across Employee Benefits Design, Legal Research, Corporate Law, Legal Writing, and Due Diligence. Throughout her career, Crystal has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting corporate governance and navigating complex legal challenges in the hospitality sector. With her extensive knowledge and leadership, she continues to make a significant impact in shaping legal strategies that drive business success.

Crystal (Tessaro) Beasley

Chief Administrative Officer, Davidson Hospitality Group

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