10th Anniversary
Women in Leadership Forum
June 18, 2026 | The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
Agenda
Breakfast
8:00 am - 9:00 am | Italian & Colonial Rooms
Welcome
9:00 am - 9:15 am | Grand Ballroom
Alex Bastian
President & CEO
Hotel Council of San Francisco
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Alex Bastian, a San Francisco native, is the President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. He leads the city’s hospitality community, a vital sector employing 20,000 people and generating hundreds of millions in annual tax revenue. A dedicated advocate for the industry, Alex spearheaded the first-ever business tax cut ballot initiative in San Francisco, Proposition M in the 2024 election cycle and successfully led efforts for increased investments in public safety.
He formed the industry’s first Security Committee, partnering with SFPD to enhance safety outcomes, and has worked nationally to reshape San Francisco’s narrative and promote sustainable tourism.
Before joining the Hotel Council, he served as Special Advisor to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and as Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of Staff at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Alex speaks five languages and has appeared in media outlets on topics from public safety to human rights. Named among the Bay Area’s Top 100 People to Know by the San Francisco Business Times, Alex harnesses his seasoned expertise and relentless drive to help champion San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism success, always working together to put our city first.
Gia Vang
Emcee & Anchor
NBC Bay Area
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Gia Vang is an Emmy award-winning television news anchor and reporter with nearly 20 years of experience in markets across the country. Currently Gia is a TV news anchor and reporter for NBC Bay Area. Gia is the first news anchor of Hmong descent in a major U.S. news market. She is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos. Gia was raised in south Sacramento along with her eight siblings. She graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in journalism. Gia is also the co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation, a journalist-founded non-profit that turned a racist voicemail into a positive movement in 2022. The foundation seeks to shed light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration, including donating books about AANHPI experiences to hundreds of school libraries around the country and supporting the work of AANHPI creators every year through microgrants. Gia resides in Oakland.
Leadership Through Change: Legacy, Resilience, & Impact
9:15 am - 9:45 am | Grand Ballroom
Terry Lewis
Retired Area Vice President, Operations
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
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Terry brings a wealth of operational experience and leadership depth from more than 30 years in hospitality. As Hilton’s Area VP of Operations, she oversaw a portfolio spanning San Francisco, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, and beyond. Terry previously led Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55—managing nearly 3,000 rooms and 164,000 sq. ft. of event space.
She’s held senior GM roles at iconic Marriott and Starwood properties in New York, including during high-pressure events like New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Terry is known for her strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and passion for building high-performing hotel teams.
Caroline Beteta
President & CEO
Visit California
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Caroline Beteta serves as president & CEO of the industry-led Visit California, a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination to increase the state’s share of tourism-related revenues. She simultaneously serves as a strategic advisor for the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). She is responsible for implementing Visit California’s global marketing program on behalf of the organization’s more than 18,000 investors and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s travel industry. In her tenure, she has overseen a decade of growth for California’s travel industry, peaking in 2019 with a record $144.9 billion in economic benefit to the state. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise and helped restore travel and tourism following numerous natural and economic crises.
She has previously served as Chair of the Board, as well as Acting CEO for Brand USA, where she provided strategic direction for the $200 million global program, interfacing with national congressional leaders and the administration. During a two-year term as National Chair of the U.S. Travel Association, she guided the successful merger of the Travel Industry Association with the Travel Business Roundtable and the creation of Brand USA. Caroline was recently elected to the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee and serves as Vice Chair. Caroline also serves on the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council — Visit California was the first destination marketing organization invited to join the WTTC.
Caroline has received numerous awards for her creative work and leadership in the travel industry, including induction into the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders.
Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in Public Administration/ Intergovernmental Affairs from the University of Southern California. She also completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Marketing Management Program.
Gia Vang
Emcee & Anchor
NBC Bay Area
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Gia Vang is an Emmy award-winning television news anchor and reporter with nearly 20 years of experience in markets across the country. Currently Gia is a TV news anchor and reporter for NBC Bay Area. Gia is the first news anchor of Hmong descent in a major U.S. news market. She is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos. Gia was raised in south Sacramento along with her eight siblings. She graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in journalism. Gia is also the co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation, a journalist-founded non-profit that turned a racist voicemail into a positive movement in 2022. The foundation seeks to shed light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration, including donating books about AANHPI experiences to hundreds of school libraries around the country and supporting the work of AANHPI creators every year through microgrants. Gia resides in Oakland.
AI, Innovation, & the Human Connection
Presented by
9:45 am - 10:20 am | Grand Ballroom
Arica Gately
Head of Airport Partnerships & Business Development
Waymo
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Arica Gately is the Head of Airport Partnerships and Business Development at Waymo, the fully autonomous ride-hailing service. In this role, she leads the company's strategic growth, expansion, and partnership initiatives to integrate self-driving ride-hailing services into airports and other major venues, such as hotels and theme parks. Prior to joining Waymo, Arica spent several years within the aviation and travel technology sectors, leading Business Development and Partnership teams at CLEAR and Lyft. She has also served on the World Business Partners Associates Board for the Airports Council International (ACI), contributing her expertise to the broader aviation and airport management industry. Arica lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two young boys.
Ceylan Karsli
Senior Area Manager San Francisco and Bay Area
Expedia Group
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Ceylan Karsli is Senior Area Manager, Market Management at Expedia Group, leading a high-performing team overseeing the Bay Area focused on optimizing lodging partnerships, strengthening strategic account management, and delivering sustainable business growth.
With more than 16 years at Expedia Group, Ceylan brings extensive leadership experience shaped by work across three countries and a broad range of roles spanning both the supply and brand sides of the travel industry. She began their hospitality career with Hilton Hotel Group in Istanbul, building an early foundation in hotel operations and partner engagement that continues to inform her commercial and leadership approach today.
Ceylan is recognized for a leadership style grounded in strategic partnership, cross-functional collaboration, and disciplined execution. Her broad industry perspective and global experience have enabled them to build strong teams, create long-term value for partners, and bring practical, market-informed insight to the evolving travel landscape.
On the personal side, since relocating to the Bay Area in 2019, Ceylan has made San Francisco home, where she and her husband are raising their two children in the heart of the city and enjoying all the natural beauty the Bay Area has to offer.
Madeleine Manzano
Moderator
Director of Brand Marketing: Partnership & Activation
Alaska Airlines
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A marketing leader with a proven track record of driving growth for major technology and lifestyle brands, Madeleine specializes in strategic planning, brand management, partnership & activation, and loyalty initiatives that elevate business functions and enhance consumer engagement. With deep expertise in marketing communications and go-to-market strategies, Madeleine thrives in uniting cross-functional teams to execute impactful campaigns that expand brand awareness and ignite market share growth.
Currently serving as the Director of Brand Marketing: Partnership & Activation at Alaska Airlines, Madeleine is responsible for shaping the company’s multi-year brand partnership strategy, overseeing sponsorship, brand activation and experiential events. Throughout her tenure at Alaska Airlines, she has held leadership roles across brand marketing, loyalty product marketing, customer engagement programs and guest communications, consistently delivering high-impact strategies that drive revenue, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen brand loyalty.
Passionate about creating meaningful brand experiences, Madeleine brings a results-driven approach to marketing, combining strategic insight with executional excellence to build brands that resonate with consumers and drive business success.
Coffee & Connections
10:20 am - 11:00 am | Italian & Colonial Rooms
The Past, Present, and Future of Hospitality
11:00 am - 11:45 am | Grand Ballroom
Sheena Way
Vice President, Content & Programming
Chase Center
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Sheena Way joined Golden State during the 2020-21 NBA season as vice president, content and programming, and is now in her fifth season. In her current role, Way’s primary responsibilities include oversight over Chase Center and Thrive City programming opportunities, as well as concerts, sporting events, premium live events, special events, and outdoor activations.
When Chase Center reopened for fans coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, she orchestrated the bookings of performances highlighted by Tame Impala, The Eagles, Dave Chappelle, Luke Combs, Metallica, and facilitated the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship West Regional Finals.
Since opening in 2019, the venue has welcomed over five million fans to events and concerts featuring top acts brought in by Way, including Lady Gaga, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Bad Bunny, Tyler the Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, and more. She also played a key role in securing major tennis tournament Laver Cup’s first US West Coast visit, scheduled for Chase Center in September of 2025.
Way’s experience expands over 25 years in talent management and live entertainment programming. Prior to joining the Warriors, Sheena Way served as vice president, live entertainment for the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), where she oversaw scheduling for Rogers Place—home to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers—the Downtown Community Arena, ICE District, and all premium rental spaces within OEG. There she led the grand opening of Rogers Place, including the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Way has spent additional time in the Vancouver market in positions with Live Nation Entertainment, House of Blue Concerts, and the Sam Feldman Agency.
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Way spent her childhood in the British Columbia Province, where she started in the entertainment industry as an artist manager at 16 years old. Way sits on the Board of Directors for The Hotel Council of San Francisco, the voice of San Francisco’s hospitality community and serves as a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, co-teaching a class on business negotiations. In her free time, she likes to head to the ski slopes or explore San Francisco on bikes with her husband.
Joyce Yun
General Manager
Hotel Zephyr Fisherman’s Wharf
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Hotel General Manager with 20+ years of experience leading boutique, lifestyle, branded, and union hotel operations across international and San Francisco markets.
Currently leading Hotel Zephyr Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, focused on building high-performing teams, strengthening culture, driving operational performance, and creating memorable guest experiences rooted in authentic hospitality.
Known for transparent leadership, people-first operations, and the ability to align ownership goals with team engagement and community connection. Passionate about developing future leaders, navigating complex hotel environments, and building strong partnerships within the hospitality industry and the Fisherman’s Wharf community.
Believes hospitality is still, at its core, a people business.
Angie Clifton
General Manager
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
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With more than 25 years of hospitality experience, Angie Clifton has built a career defined by operational expertise, people first leadership and a deep understanding of the evolving hospitality landscape. Her vision and dedication have improved employee engagement and guest satisfaction while facilitating the implementation of numerous programs that have proven instrumental to her team’s success.
Clifton began her hospitality career in 1996 as a room attendant/night cleaner at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. Her strong work ethic and commitment to service led to several promotions in the housekeeping department until she transitioned to director of front office. After 12 years at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, she accepted the position of director of rooms and operations at Fairmont Washington DC. Clifton also held the role of hotel manager at Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston and Westin Georgetown before moving cross country to San Francisco where she joined the Palace Hotel as hotel manager in 2017.
After serving in that role from 2017-2019, Clifton went on to become general manager of the San Francisco Marriott Union Square, where she seamlessly led the 401-room property through record financial growth in 2019, pandemic closure in 2020, a reopening in 2021, and recovery in 2022. She returned to Palace Hotel as general manager in 2023, becoming the property’s first female general manager in its history. In her current role, she is leading the historic hotel into a new chapter that balances its 150-year legacy with evolving guest expectations and a renewed focus on local community engagement.
Clifton’s leadership philosophy centers on what she calls a threefold strategy: “taking care of people, taking care of business, and taking care of the community.” Her hands-on approach and commitment to mentorship have helped create pathways for the next generation of hospitality professionals. She has been involved in continuing hospitality education through mentorship, teaching leadership programs, and service promise training. She is an active member of the Bay Area Council and the San Francisco Travel Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the Hotel Council of San Francisco since 2020.
Anna Marie Presutti
President & CEO
San Francisco Travel Association
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Anna Marie Presutti became the first woman to serve as president and CEO of the 115-year-old San Francisco Travel Association in September 2024. San Francisco Travel, the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco, is one of the oldest and largest membership-based tourism promotion organizations in the United States.
Anna Marie has been a tourism industry leader for over two decades and previously served twice as San Francisco Travel’s Board Chair and on the Super Bowl 50 Bay Area Host Committee. Before taking the helm of San Francisco Travel, she was Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco. Anna Marie’s career also includes significant leadership roles at Kimpton Hotels, ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Properties, where she honed her expertise in hotel operations and sales strategy. Presutti began her career at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Throughout her career, Anna Marie has been consistently recognized for her excellence in hospitality leadership. She was named one of the “Most Influential Women in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times and received the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Outstanding General Manager of the Year award. She was also honored with the Hotel Council of San Francisco’s Peter Goldman Award of Excellence and the Northern California Chapter PCMA’s Legend Award, acknowledging her contributions to the industry and her commitment to excellence.
A passionate advocate for the travel and tourism sector, Anna Marie serves on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association and the Bay Area Host Committee. She is also a trustee of the Missouri State University Foundation. She earned her degree in Communications at Missouri State and grew up in Kansas City.
Lisa Kershner
Moderator
General Manager
San Francisco Airport Waterfront Marriott
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Lisa is the General Manager of the SFO Waterfront Marriott. She is a lifelong hospitality leader with a strong commitment to advancing women and diversity in leadership roles. Her career reflects a dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces and advocating for the next generation of leaders in hospitality.
Lisa has been involved with the Hotel Council Women in Leadership since its inception. In addition, she is the Chair of the Leadership Council for Bay Area Marriott hotels; serves on the board of SF Travel; the SF Peninsula; and the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to Marriott International, Lisa worked at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants where she was Regional Vice President of Hotel Operations.
Lisa lives in Burlingame with her family and two golden retriever rescue pups.
Lunch
11:45 am - 1:00 pm | Grand Ballroom
Civic Leadership in Action
Presented by
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm | Grand Ballroom
Marisa Rodriguez
President & CEO
Union Square Alliance
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Marisa Rodriguez is the CEO of Union Square Alliance, a downtown association dedicated to enhancing San Francisco's Union Square District, a key destination and economic center for the Bay Area. Spanning 27 city blocks and accounting for $21 million in assessed rates, it makes up 3% of the city's total assessed value. Under her leadership, she has led the Alliance to new heights, elevating its role as a destination marketing organization and reshaping the narrative of the square to attract visitors.
Rodriguez, a visionary and solutions-driven leader, was brought in to help catalyze a turnaround in the district and meet the challenges of the post-pandemic era. She has crafted a forward-thinking strategy that reimagines the crucial role of zoning and other key elements for the long-term health and vitality of the district. Her goal is to help support the area’s transformation into a thriving urban neighborhood that is well-positioned to succeed in the 21st century. Rodriguez understands that strategic partnerships and collective work with community leaders, legislators, and other key decision-makers are crucial to achieving this. Her track record of creating positive change in various industries, including tourism, law enforcement, and nonprofit management, attests to her exceptional leadership skills.
She believes that a safe and clean environment is the foundation for any successful community, as she often says, 'You cannot pass-go without clean and safe.' She has successfully implemented solutions that keep the visitor experience top of mind, given the 12,000 hotel rooms in the district. She also champions the safety of Union Square's workers and residents. Additionally, she has worked to legislate policies that create flexible zoning to attract new business, ensuring the continued growth of the district.
Her commitment to inclusion is another defining aspect of her career. She continues to prioritize these values by ensuring that Union Square is attractive to everyone as a place for celebrating life's greatest moments coining the phrase, “There is something for everyone in Union Square.”
Carmen Chu
City Administrator
City and County of San Francisco
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Carmen Chu has served as San Francisco City Administrator since February 2021. She oversees 25 City departments, divisions, and programs, including the Department of Technology, Office of Contract Administration/Purchasing, Real Estate, County Clerk, Fleet Management, Convention Facilities, Animal Care and Control, Medical Examiner, and Treasure Island. Functions under the City Administrator represent more than $500 million in annual expenditures and a workforce of over 1,000 dedicated employees.
City Administrator Chu is focused on advancing good-government reforms that deliver more effective services for San Franciscans. She brings more than 20 years of governmental management and finance experience in the City and County of San Francisco and is the first Asian American woman to serve in this role. Prior to becoming City Administrator, Chu served as the elected Assessor-Recorder, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and as Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Policy and Finance.
Papia Gambelin
Managing Director of State & Local Government Affairs
United Airlines
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Papia Banerjee Gambelin is a distinguished government and communications professional with over 25 years of experience, including significant roles in executive management within regulated industries. Her career spans across various sectors, including utilities, aviation, transportation, energy, retail, and housing, showcasing her versatility and strategic acumen. As a trusted and disciplined leader, Papia has a proven track record of developing and fostering relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from local, state, and federal government officials to business, community leaders, and organizations across California and nationally. Her senior-level strategy skills are evident in her ability to lead cross-functional teams, supporting and advancing comprehensive communications and government affairs strategies.
Currently serving as the Managing Director of State & Local Government Affairs for the Western United States at United Airlines, Papia has been instrumental in developing legislative strategies for the company, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion a consistent theme throughout her career, advocating for these values both within her organizations and in her strategic external engagements.
An alumna of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, Papia is deeply engaged in her community and professional spheres. She has been an active member and leader in numerous boards and associations, including the Immune Deficiency Foundation, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, San Mateo County Economic Development Association, and various chambers of commerce, among others. Her extensive involvement demonstrates her commitment to public service and advocacy, with a special focus on housing, environmental issues, and community development.
Papia Banerjee Gambelin's career is a testament to her strategic vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the communities she serves and beyond.
Closing & Giveaway
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm | Grand Ballroom
Event Details
We are celebrating more than a decade of empowering women in hospitality! Thank you for joining your peers, colleagues, and industry leaders for inspiring panels, networking opportunities, and insights into the latest innovations shaping our sector.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 8am-2pm
Location: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco Union Square
Tag us in your photos! @HotelCouncilSF #WIL26
Our Sponsors
Bronze
Supporter
Venue
AV
Decor
Amenity
Wine
Co-Presenting
Silver
Mentorship Program
We’re excited to offer attendees the opportunity to participate in our Mentorship Program, designed to foster meaningful connections between experienced leaders and emerging professionals.
Through this program, participants can sign up to either serve as a mentor or be matched as a mentee for a post-event connection. Mentorship pairs are designed to encourage open conversation, career insight sharing, and relationship-building beyond the event itself.
Whether you’re looking to share your experience or learn from others, this is a chance to continue the conversations sparked during the forum.
Please note:
This event will be documented through photography and videography for potential use in the Hotel Council of San Francisco's promotional materials and social media. By attending this event, you provide consent for your photo and/or video to be taken and used by the Hotel Council of San Francisco. If you prefer not to have your photo taken, please inform the event organizers accordingly.