Mr. Chris Walker, Mr. Phil Koserowski and Ms. Lauren Alba Assume New Roles on Management Team
NEW YORK, NY — (June 2021) —
The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (Leading Hotels), the largest collection of independent luxury hotels, announced today three management team appointments, effective immediately: Mr. Chris Walker appointed to the newly created role of Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer; Mr. Phil Koserowski promoted to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; and Ms. Lauren Alba promoted to the newly created role of Vice President Global Marketing and Communications. Mr. Walker, Mr. Koserowski and Ms. Alba will all be based out of Leading Hotels’ New York City headquarters.
Over the past two years, President and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Shannon Knapp has focused on re-positioning LHW to better align with the evolving needs of the company’s more than 400 worldwide hotels.
“Chris, Phil and Lauren have been critical to Leading Hotels’ success over the last several years. I am confident they are the right leaders to identify and respond to the dynamic changes in this post-covid business environment to successfully meet the shifting needs of our hotel members and travelers. Their new roles further position Leading Hotels to successfully achieve our mission to empower independent hoteliers and travelers to stay independent, as we have done for decades,” said Ms. Knapp.
Maximizing Membership & Sales Impact: Mr. Chris Walker, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer
Mr. Walker has more than two decades of hospitality, sales and marketing expertise. He previously served as Leading Hotels’ Senior Vice President, Global Sales, and prior as Senior Vice President of Sales - Americas. In Mr. Walker’s expanded role as Chief Commercial Officer, he will be responsible for leading both the global sales and the hotel membership organizations. Mr. Walker will continue his strategic management of Leading Hotels’ worldwide sales team of more than 100 employees. Additionally, he will lead the hotel member portfolio and development strategy, partnering closely with Ms. Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President of Membership, who will now report to him. Together they will focus on expanding Leading Hotels’ presence in key growth markets, as well as elevating the hotel member value proposition. Mr. Walker will report directly to Ms. Knapp.
Innovating Global Marketing with a Customer-Centric Product Development Approach: Mr. Phil Koserowski, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
Mr. Koserowski brings nearly 25 years of experience in marketing to his new appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He was appointed Vice President Digital Product Development and Marketing for the organization in 2011 and upon Ms. Knapp’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer from Chief Marketing Officer in 2019 he assumed leadership of the global marketing team. Mr. Koserowski’s new business and product development remit will expand in his new role. As Chief Marketing Officer he will lead the customer strategy, loyalty program, digital product development, B2C and B2B marketing, customer experience, and new business development and partnerships. Mr. Koserowski will report directly to Ms. Knapp.
Elevating the Brand: Ms. Lauren Alba, Vice President Global Marketing and Communications
Ms. Alba has spent 15 years developing customer-centric marketing campaigns and communication strategies for global businesses. This highly skilled marketer started at Leading Hotels in 2014, first as the Director of Global Public Relations and Media Partnerships, and then as Senior Director of Marketing Communications. Within her newly created position of Vice President Global Marketing and Communications, Ms. Alba will lead global B2C marketing communications as well as B2B and hotel member marketing and communications. Additionally, she will continue to oversee the Company’s brand management, creative services, public relations, and social media efforts. Ms. Alba will report to Mr. Koserowski.
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About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW)
Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, LHW is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW. Since then, the Company has carefully curated distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is filled of exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every experience. LHW hoteliers are artisans of hospitality whose expertise, commitment to excellence, and individual flair allows them to create story-worthy moments for their guests. And it is these authentic, individualized experiences combined with the warm hospitality and high-touch service they provide that keeps discerning travelers returning again and again. LHW’s collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and uncommon experiences, enhanced by LHW’s tiered guest loyalty program Leaders Club. From converted former palaces, and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps – and beyond – explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments. For more information visit:
www.lhw.com, Facebook at
@LeadingHotels, Twitter at
@LeadingHotels and Instagram
@leadinghotelsoftheworld
