9th Annual Women in Leadership Forum Agenda — Hotel Council of San Francisco

8am - 9am — Italian & Colonial Rooms

Breakfast

9am - 9:15am — Grand Ballroom

Welcome

9:15am - 9:45am — Grand Ballroom

Vision & Voice: Women at the Helm

Moderator

Claudine Wong

Anchor

KTVU

Claudine Wong is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist who anchors the 5 p.m. and Ten O’Clock News on KTVU. A proud Bay Area native and UCLA graduate, she began her career in Oregon and Indiana before joining KTVU in 2003. Over the years, Claudine has covered major breaking news, high-profile court cases, natural disasters, and championship celebrations. She helped launch Weekend Mornings on 2, hosted Bay Area People, and now leads storytelling efforts through podcasts and digital shows. Claudine is deeply committed to the local community she calls home, with a strong focus on meaningful, people-centered journalism that reflects the heart of the Bay Area

Caroline Beteta

President & CEO

Visit California

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.

Monica Long

President

Ripple

Monica Long is the President of Ripple where she leads the company’s Business, Product and Engineering teams, collectively working to make Ripple the one-stop shop to move, manage, hold and tokenize value. Since joining Ripple in 2013 as its first marketing and communications hire, Monica has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth and driving innovation in financial services.
Monica serves as Executive Sponsor of the Women at Ripple Employee Resource Group. Recognized among the Bay Area’s Most Influential Women in Business in 2020, Monica has spent her career at the forefront of fintech, previously holding roles at Intuit and managing PR for groundbreaking startups like Prosper. She holds a BA from UC Berkeley.

9:45am - 10:30am — Grand Ballroom

Booked & Brilliant: Women Reimagining the Future of Travel

Presented By:

Moderator

J’Keren Sears

Senior Public Affairs Program Manager

Alaska Airlines

With over seven years of experience in brand development and strategic marketing, J’Keren has been a driving force in creating impactful campaigns and meaningful connections across industries. Specializing in social media, experiential marketing, and strategic partnerships, J has a proven talent for crafting strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.
Known for a collaborative approach and forward-thinking mindset, J’Keren excels at building innovative solutions that drive growth and foster lasting relationships. Whether it’s designing memorable customer experiences, launching brand activations, or aligning with organizational values, ensures every initiative delivers measurable results.
At Alaska Airlines, Jay plays a pivotal role in shaping the brand's story, aligning innovative strategies with the company’s core values of service, adventure, and community. Beyond the runway, she is passionate about leveraging the power of travel to bring people closer together, exploring new ways to connect with audiences, and inspiring meaningful interactions.

Jackie Hyun

Head of Marketing

Waymo

Jackie Hyun is Head of Marketing at Waymo, where she leads brand, product, and growth marketing. Waymo’s mission is to build the world’s most trusted driver - to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. Today, Waymo serves over 250K fully autonomous rides every week across SF, LA, Phoenix, and Austin. 
Prior to Waymo, Jackie led brand strategy, business planning, and new vehicle launches at Hyundai Motor America. She led the launch of Hyundai’s first hybrid and electric IONIQ vehicles, its luxury Genesis brand, named the Hyundai Palisade and Kona, and oversaw creative strategies for all new programs and ad campaigns. Her early career was in brand consulting, helping clients across the entertainment, automotive, tech, and CPG categories define and grow their brand reputation, customer targeting, and acquisition strategies. She holds a BA from UCLA, and is a proud wife, and mother of two kids.

Lindsey Iles

Senior Director Market Management

Expedia Group

Leading Expedia Group's North America account management team, Lindsey Iles drives lodging operations in the US and Canada. She spearheads a dynamic organization dedicated to helping hotel partners optimize their online strategies with Expedia Group solutions.
Prior to joining Expedia Group, Lindsey spent 13 years leading sales, catering, and marketing teams with brands like Omni, IHG, and Wyndham. Her expertise in frontline service powers her understanding of the unique opportunities that hoteliers have within the broader travel ecosystem.
She is a proud graduate of the University of Texas and resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband, Mitch, a Battalion Chief at the DFW Fire Department. Lindsey's son keeps the family busy with sports, outdoor activities, and a budding passion for travel.

Madeleine Manzano

Director of Brand Marketing

Alaska Airlines

A marketing leader with a proven track record of driving growth for major technology and lifestyle brands, Madeleine specializes in strategic planning, brand management, 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 at Alaska Airlines, Madeleine is responsible for shaping the company’s multi-year brand strategy, overseeing creative and media agencies, and leading social media engagement initiatives. Throughout her tenure at Alaska Airlines, she has held leadership roles across brand activation, loyalty product marketing, and guest communications, consistently delivering high-impact strategies that drive revenue, enhance customer engagement, and strengthen brand loyalty.

10:30am - 11am — Italian & Colonial Rooms

Coffee & Connections

11am - 11:45am — Grand Ballroom

Power Moves: Women Redefining Leadership in Hospitality

Presented By:

Moderator

Lisa Kershner

General Manager

SF Airport Marriott Waterfront

Lisa 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.

Anna Marie Presutti

President & CEO

SF Travel

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.

Geri Williams-Fitts

Chief People Officer

Highgate

Geri Williams-Fitts is Highgate’s powerhouse in human resources, shaping the hospitality industry with over 38 years of strategic leadership. As Chief People Officer of Highgate, she has been instrumental in the company’s explosive growth from 30 hotels to over 550 properties worldwide, expanding its workforce to 25,000+. Based in Dallas since 2008, she drives Highgate’s global HR strategy across 25+ business lines, navigating complex labor landscapes while championing a People First culture. A visionary leader, she ensures talent development aligns with business performance, strengthening Highgate’s future. Beyond corporate leadership, Geri is a force for philanthropy, serving as Chair of the Highgate Charitable Foundation and raising over $15 million for global causes. With past leadership roles at Wyndham, Hilton, and major retail organizations, her impact spans industries. Geri’s legacy is one of transformational change, people-driven excellence, and an unwavering commitment to both business success and social responsibility.

Julie Colwell

Managing VP, HR

Marriott International

Julie is the Managing Vice President, Human Resources responsible for Marriott’s US Western Region hotels - partnering with Regional Business Leaders, Corporate COEs and a talented HR Leadership team.  Julie oversees talent management, compensation, engagement, labor relations, compliance, Diversity and Inclusion, talent acquisition and succession planning in all hotels in the West.
Prior to her current role, Julie was the Regional Senior Director of Human Resources for Marriott Select Brand Hotels in the US Western Region and Eastern Region.  Additionally, Julie has served in various roles in hotel Human Resource operations and Associate Relations during her 30+ year career with Marriott.  She has had the opportunity to support our business in a variety of geographies and brands and has a passion for Marriott’s ‘Put People First’ culture.
In 2020 Julie received the Great Place To Work “For All” Leadership Award, recognizing leaders who honor Diversity and Inclusion and who demonstrate authentic leadership during times of uncertainty.
Julie graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in Psychology.  She received her Masters degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Loyola University in Chicago.

Area VP Operations

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

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 currently oversees 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.

Lunch Buffet & Wine Tasting

1pm - 1:45pm — Grand Ballroom

Power, Policy & Progress: Women Leading at the Intersection of Government and Influence

Presented By:

Moderator

Papia Gambelin

Managing Director State & Local Government Affairs Western Region

United Airlines

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.

Marisa Rodriguez

CEO

Union Square Alliance

Marisa Rodriguez is the CEO of the Union Square Alliance, a downtown association dedicated to enhancing San Francisco’s Union Square District, which spans 27 city blocks and represents $21 billion in assessed value—3% of the city’s total. With a unique background in law enforcement, regulatory affairs, and government relations, Marisa was brought in to address the post-pandemic challenges facing the district and spearhead its recovery.
One of her immediate accomplishments was securing the San Francisco Police Department's mobile command van at the center of Union Square, significantly enhancing public safety and the visitor experience, particularly for the district’s 12,000 hotel rooms. She is a strong advocate for worker and resident safety, including pushing for increased police presence on BART.
Marisa also launched a Strategic Recovery Plan focused on economic development, successfully driving policy changes such as flexible zoning to attract new businesses and ensure Union Square’s continued growth. Under her leadership, the first phase of the Powell Street Improvement Project was completed, with the potential for further economic benefits if fully funded through Prop B. Before joining the Alliance, Marisa served as Director of the Office of Cannabis in the City Administrator’s Office, overseeing San Francisco’s regulatory and permitting process as the industry was legalized. She prioritized public safety while advancing equitable participation in the cannabis sector and also led the development of the City Administrator’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan, shaping strategies for racial equity across 25 city departments.
Additionally, Marisa worked as an Assistant District Attorney and Director of Community Relations for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, litigating criminal cases and developing programs focused on truancy, community safety, and re-entry for formerly incarcerated individuals.
A San Franciscan, Marisa has a proven track record of creating positive change across tourism, law enforcement, and nonprofit management, leading through empathy and transforming challenges into opportunities.

Sally Kay

Head of California Public Policy & Community Engagement

Amazon

Sally Kay is a California based Public Policy and External Affairs professional with expertise in U.S. state and municipal legislation focused on emerging technology policy. Over the last decade, she has worked for some of the world's most recognized brands at the intersection of innovation and public policy including Uber and Amazon. Ms. Kay currently leads Amazon’s California Public Policy and External Affairs from San Francisco where she has built advocacy and community investment strategies since 2016.
Ms. Kay began working in politics for California State Assemblymember Sam Blakeslee in San Luis Obispo while attending graduate school as a young mother. After working in Sacramento as Legislative Director in the state Capitol, she then moved to the Bay Area to pursue working in the private sector. A Georgia native, Ms. Kay holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a Master's in Public Policy, both from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and lives in the East Bay with her husband and children.

Becca Prowda

First Lady of San Francisco & Director of Protocol

State of CA

Becca Prowda proudly serves as the First Lady of San Francisco. She is also the Director of Protocol for Governor Gavin Newsom and the State of California.
Previously, Becca was Director of Community Affairs at Levi Strauss & Co. While there, she led partnerships focused on sustainability and equality, built employee engagement programs aligned with the company’s social impact goals, and launched the Safer Tomorrow Fund to help reduce gun violence.
Between 2004 and 2009, Becca worked in San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Office as Confidential Assistant and in the Office of Protocol. Before that, she helped lead the events team at the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City, one of the largest poverty-fighting organizations in the country.
Originally from Seattle, Becca holds a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College. A passionate supporter of the arts, she serves on the Board of Directors at SFMOMA and is Co-Chair of the museum’s Committee on Trustees. Becca enjoys exploring San Francisco’s vibrant neighborhoods and trying new restaurants. She can often be spotted picking up trash around the city with her husband, Mayor Daniel Lurie, and their two children.