The Mystique in Santorini, Greece is one of Marriott International's worldwide Luxury Collection locations. Image credit: Marriott International
Hotel group Marriott International has announced several new appointments to its executive board and C-Suite, including Tina Edmundson as president of its luxury division.
This promotion indicates the brand’s commitment to advancing its luxury portfolio, which currently consists of nearly 500 properties worldwide. Ms. Edmundson currently serves as Marriott International’s global brand and marketing officer.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, it is clear guests want aspirational experiences," said Anthony Capuano, president/CEO of Marriott International, in a statement.
"When it comes to luxury travelers, we are focused on the entirety of the experience – making it differentiated, elevated and memorable,” he said. “Tina is a recognized leader in experiential luxury and lifestyle travel. There is no one better to grow our leadership position in this space and to be a steward of this unmatched portfolio."
Change in lineup
Among those 500 luxury locations are Marriott-owned marques Bulgari Hotels and Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton – including its yacht collection – and St. Regis Hotels and Resorts.
In addition to her 15 years with Marriott International, Ms. Edmundson spent a decade working for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Beginning as vice president and director of the brand’s North American rooms and related division, she rounded out her time at Starwood as its senior vice president of luxury brand operations.
View this post on Instagram
Another notable appointment is that of Drew Pinto, currently Marriott International’s global officer of global sales, distribution and revenue management, to the position of executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer. In his new role, Mr. Pinto will oversee revenue management, digital, distribution channels as well as information technology.
A graduate of Yale and the University of Michigan, Mr. Pinto has been with the company for 19 years, beginning as vice president of IR business consultancy. He also served for three years in the Civil Rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice and is praised by Mr. Capuano as “the ideal leader to innovate and scale [growth and profitability] capabilities.”
What is more, the brand has named Peggy Fang Roe as its new executive vice president and chief customer officer from her most recent role as global officer of customer experience, loyalty and new ventures.
Ms. Roe, who, like Mr. Pinto, has been with the company for 19 years, will now be responsible for growing the brand’s portfolio, overseeing the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, and expanding customer experience using AI and data innovations.
Current chief financial officer Leeny Oberg has been appointed chief financial officer and executive vice president of development.
The company has welcomed back Yibing Mao, its former senior vice president and chief legal counsel of Asia Pacific. Ms. Mao’s new role will be that of president of Greater China, where she will help develop Marriott International’s presence in the country which is one of the company’s fastest growing regions.
Marriott International is growing in general, having signed a reported 394 additional locations in 2022, a signage rate of two per day (see story).