MITCH PRENSKY, MBA

CHRIS ALVARADO

MITCH PRENSKY, MBA

FOUNDING PARTNER, CEO; CULINARY DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS

Mitch is a graduate of French Culinary Institute and holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania and a MS in Organizational Psychology from Purdue University.

Through success with his restaurant Supper, as well as his event company The Global Dish, he has been featured in Food and Wine, The New York Times, Bon Appetit and on the Food Network.

In 2016, Mitch was named one of the 30 Chefs To Watch by Plate Magazine, and he’s also been recognized by Best Chefs America as well as The James Beard Foundation as a semi-finalist for Best Chef Northeast.

As a consultant, Mitch has created and opened restaurants, catering companies, food halls, ghost kitchens and gourmet food product companies throughout the country. He has head-manned the logistics and execution of StarChefs Chefs Congress, bringing celebrity chefs from all over the world to cook and demonstrate for fellow culinarians; created and executed large-format food halls, QSR restaurants and catering divisions for Bon Appetit Management Co. as Culinary Director for University of Pennsylvania; and worked with legendary Zabar’s market in NYC to bring business management expertise to the iconic brand.

Most recently, Mitch was brought on by Hyatt Hotels to lead the company’s Lifestyle Division as Director of Culinary, overseeing the Thompson, Alila, Joie De Vivre, Andaz, Unbound and Hyatt Centric brands.

CHRISTOPHER ALVARADO

PARTNER, DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Christopher blends his unique experience in design and development to drive creative vision and programming from concept to reality as a VP of Design and Development across a large span of sectors in the hospitality industry with an emphasis in Luxury, Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Food & Beverage.

Christopher began his career with SBE Entertainment Group in Los Angeles executing the design vision for the first SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Katsuya Restaurants, as well as several original restaurant and nightlife concepts. Christopher then joined The Gettys Group to lead confidential re-branding projects for Hilton Focus Services.

Joining Commune Hotels and Resorts in 2012 (later Two Roads Hospitality), Christopher developed several of the key brands across the portfolio including Thompson Hotels, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Joie de Vivre Hotels, and the recently launched Tommie Hotels.  In this capacity Christopher oversaw key aspects of Pre-Development, Architecture, Interior Design, and Construction Administration. Christopher was a core member of the team that was largely responsible for the portfolio of brands rapid expansion prior to Hyatt’s acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality.

Most recently Christopher was a key member of the transition team of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality and the development of their Lifestyle division.

NICOLE WOLF

PARTNER, INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

Nicole has extensive experience analyzing and underwriting a variety of hotel investments and related financial processes, including acquisitions, restructurings, new developments, financings, and investment sales.

Nicole has been involved in the acquisition and asset management of over 100 hotels, creating financial models, preparing offering memorandums for equity partners and lenders, conducting due diligence, and negotiating purchase & sale agreements and franchise and management agreements.

Nicole has worked for companies like Tishman, MCR Hotels, Sonder, and JF Capital Advisors, providing a wide range of experience in the lodging space and ability to evaluate deals as an owner, investor and operator.

JOSEPH GRAHAM

PARTNER, PRE OPENING AND OPERATIONS

Joseph is a hospitality and customer experience expert with over 21 years of global brand management and guest experience creation. He is a multifaceted leader with expertise in customer service, quality assurance and integrity programs, associate and company-wide training sessions and workshops in addition to transitioning a number of hotels between management company acquisitions.

Joseph has deep experience in operations as Rooms Division Specialist and Brand Support Specialist for the Luxury & Lifestyle division within Hyatt Hotels. He has also helped create the hospitality arm of Carr Properties and infused the hotel experience and culture into Class-A office buildings.

Joseph is a graduate of Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Management. He has had the privilege to work in hotels with key counts ranging from 75 to 1600 rooms. He has crafted his career throughout the U.S. including Hawaii, in vibrant urban areas, quiet remote settings, luxury five-star and five-diamond hotels and resorts.

He serves on the board of Legacy Collective, a nonprofit organization, and volunteers his time coaching and mentoring youths through the lens of soccer and Scouts.

STEPHEN KALLAHER

PARTNER, DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE

Stephen Kallaher possesses over thirty years of hotel development, acquisition and asset management experience covering all property types from moderately priced, select-service properties to full-service luxury and lifestyle properties located in virtually every geographic region of North America. He has considerable experience in the full development process including initial planning and contract negotiations (real estate purchase contracts, management contracts, and franchise agreements), site planning, the public permitting process, and construction, as well as strategic planning, market analysis, feasibility studies, financial and investment analysis, debt and equity securitization and analysis, operational analysis, yield management analysis, and appraisal. Most recently he was Vice President, Corporate Development at Hyatt Hotels Corporation where he was responsible for corporate development, through the use of the company’s balance sheet or joint-ventures, of all new Hyatt branded hotels, including Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, Miraval Resorts and Park Hyatt hotels throughout the United States and Canada. He was also responsible for the addition of Hyatt Place, Hyatt House and Caption by Hyatt hotels through franchising and management contracts.

Stephen Kallaher began his lodging and hospitality development career in 1990 with PKF Consulting in Los Angeles, CA. He went on to work with other hospitality organizations including Coopers & Lybrand in Cleveland, OH, Promus Hotels in Memphis, TN, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Dallas, TX, before holding senior executive positions with Marriott International in Bethesda, MD, Wyndham International in Parsippany, NJ, and Omni Hotels & Resorts in Dallas, TX. During his successful career he has been personally responsible for the development or acquisition of many key hotel properties. Totaling more than 350 hotels, the properties represent more than 50,000 guest rooms and over $5.0 billion in real estate investments.

Mr. Kallaher earned his B.B.A degree from the University of Memphis and graduated from the Executive Development Program at the prestigious Aspen Institute.

TARA GORMAN, Esq.

PARTNER, LEGAL SERVICES

Tara Gorman, Esq. received a Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center, Master of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland.

Tara is a Partner at a large international law firm, where she heads up the real estate practice and focuses her practice on hospitality law. She is a master of hotel acquisitions, operations, development and finance, hotel management agreements, license and branding agreements, restaurant management agreements, and general commercial real estate transactions.

Tara has successfully drafted and negotiated agreements in connection with such hotels and resorts as St. Regis, Ritz, Auberge, The Element, Hilton Hotels, 50 Bowery, Park Hyatt, Trump Soho, Trump Ocean Club, Wyndham, Embassy Suites, The Sanderling Resort & Spa, Hotel St. Jane, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Hotels, Fairmont, Echelon Place and MGM for National Harbor, among others.

Additionally, Tara is the Chair of the Timesharing and Interval Use Committee of the Hospitality Group of the Real Property and Probate Section of the American Bar Association, a columnist for Hotel Business Review, a Professor in Residence (Adjunct) at the Washington College of Law of American University in Washington, D.C. and at the University of Maryland where she teaches Hospitality Law. Ms. Gorman has taught Foundations of Real Estate Law at Georgetown University as an Adjunct Professor, and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars on real estate and hospitality topics. Tara is also on the Board of Advisors of the Georgetown Law Center’s Hotel & Lodging Legal Summit and the Program Planning Committee for the American Lodging Investment Summit.

Tara is the author of the Law Goddess Blueprint and a contributing writer to the textbook Hotel Law — Transactions, Management and Franchising.

KAROLINA KIELBOWICZ

PARTNER, PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS

A passionate and dynamic PR, communications and brand strategist, Karolina has over 16 years of experience across agency and corporate in-house roles building and evangelizing brands in the lifestyle hospitality space. She first got the bug for the industry while working in the VIP room of Hollywood’s Sunset Room as she completed her communications degree at UCLA.

Karolina’s diverse background includes VP of Public Relations roles at Two Roads Hospitality, and formerly, Commune Hotels & Resorts, where she helped propel the global lifestyle hotel company and its innovative multi-brand portfolio to the spotlight in the highly competitive boutique and independent sector, leading up to its sale to Hyatt Hotels in 2018. Most recently, she led global brand communications for Hyatt’s newly formed Lifestyle Division, where she oversaw media strategy, experiential campaigns, and partnership development for the company’s lifestyle brand portfolio:  Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Joie de Vivre Hotels, and Alila Hotels & Resorts. She was also a key member of the cross-functional team that led the integration of the five Two Roads Hospitality brands, including their exciting World of Hyatt program launch. Over the years, she has successfully opened or repositioned over 20 ground-breaking and award-winning luxury, boutique and lifestyle hotels, and a slew of innovative restaurants and bars across North America, and many more internationally with regional partners.

She began her public relations career on the agency side at leading lifestyle PR firms in San Francisco, representing a wide range of clients across the lifestyle, hospitality, design, wine & spirits, retail, and arts & culture industries—from boutique hotels and tourism organizations to destination restaurants, cult wineries and craft spirits to art festivals, luxury experiences and experiential events.

Recognized for her fresh, innovative thinking, Karolina is a creative force who balances her commercial acumen with operations know-how, deep food and beverage expertise, and an eye for design and aesthetics. She relies on her breadth of experience and keen pulse on trends to create integrated, multi-pronged PR campaigns that combine strategic storytelling, creative programming and partnerships, authentic thought leadership, smart influencer engagements and experiential events to move the needle and positively influence media and consumer opinion.

TIFFANY SORENSEN

PARTNER, OMNI CHANNEL MEDIA & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Tiffany has never been far from the entertainment and production world. From an early age, her career pursuits began to evolve from being in front of the camera, to eventually finding her passion working behind the scenes. She served a key role in starting up MC 2, which ultimately became the third largest branding and events company in the U.S. Through her efforts, Tiffany built Union Square Agency into a leading entertainment based lifestyle agency, working on integrated events such as Fashion’s Night OUT, The ACE Awards, Super Bowl XLIV and XLVIII, and The Orange Drive Miami Beach Music Festival to name a few.

Tiffany then became a founding partner of Circle, The Omnichannel Guest Experience Agency. Circle takes a multi-channel approach to marketing, selling, and serving guests in a way that creates a holistically integrated, seamless experience. Circle’s capabilities are far reaching; inclusive of trade show and event production; original content creation for broadcast mediums; co-producing large scale festivals inclusive of creative development; F&B and talent procurement; sponsor activation and logistics management; creating, developing and executing road tours; and providing leading edge technology solutions via several “off the shelf” proprietary offerings.

Over the course of her career, Tiffany has worked on projects both domestic and international, with brands such as Lincoln Automotive, The Accessories Council, Ciroc, Moet, Disney, MGM Resorts Int’l, NBA and many more.

JED PINES, CPA

PARTNER, FINANCIAL SERVICES

With the goal of improving a food and beverage operation’s bottom line Jed finds ways to bridge the undeniable gap between the operational and financial teams.

He is highly adept at assisting companies with their short and long term planning by understanding food and beverage cash flow models and assessing the future of the business’s finances. Jed’s deep understanding of the financial inner workings of hospitality companies have helped him in building successful financial operating systems from the ground up.

Jed’s prior experience includes controller of the renowned il Buco restaurant group, With this group, he worked closely with the director of operations to increase overall profitability by over 5%.

He later worked as controller for Casa Nela restaurant group, overseeing Rosemary’s, Bobo and Claudette.

Jed has consulted and trained accounting teams, most notably with 3-Michelin starred Le Bernardin.

He has also consulted with the Nihi Hotel in Indonesia. Most recently Jed has led the finance team at Retail Worx, the management company overseeing fast-casual chain Taco Dumbo as well as retail store Bridges General and the fitness concept Bia.

AL SOTACK

PARTNER, BEVERAGE DEVELOPMENT

In 2009 Al was retained by ownership to create and launch Philadelphia’s award winning speak easy, Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company, where he served as head bartender until 2013. During his tenure the Franklin was awarded accolades both locally and nationally, including Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Bar Award as well as being recognized by The James Beard Foundation. Features on this unique and creative cocktail concept can found in publications such as GQ and Playboy.

Al himself was the recipient of a StarChefs Rising Star Award for best bartender in 2013.

That same year Al returned to New York City to join the management team at world famous cocktail den Death and Co. where he remained for three years creating dozens of signature cocktails that can be found in their new book due out in 2021. Additionally for the past decade Al has also worked with many upscale spirit brands, from launching Angel’s Envy Bourbon in the Philadelphia market to a year long stint as New York City’s Beefeater and Plymouth gin ambassador.

In 2016 Al and his team conceptualized, opened and currently operate cocktail mecca Jupiter Disco in the trendy Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. Jupiter Disco has been featured in the New York Times and Punch magazine, as well as being nominated for Best New American Bar at Tales of The Cocktail. Jupiter Disco has been recognized as Best Bar in New York City from Time Out magazine.

ADAM SHINDLER

PARTNER, FINANCE & ASSET MANAGEMENT

With 20 years of experience spanning 3 continents and projects exceeding $5B in total value, Adam’s professional arc has touched many critical aspects of the hospitality industry, including risk advisory services, luxury hotel & restaurant operations, principal acquisitions, mixed-use development, contract negotiation, asset management, and divestment execution. 

Adam has developed a dynamic skill set as a bi-lingual (Spanish) strategic collaborator playing an active role in all phases of a project’s life cycle to leverage his diverse global experience, contributing from strategy creation and due diligence underwriting through investment and operational management, and, ultimately, a successful future sale or capital event. 

Currently, Adam is the Managing Director of Wilshire, a boutique consultancy launched in 2008 Wilshire was created to be a trusted strategic advisor to current and potential developers, lenders, owners, and operators navigating the complexity of independently spirited hospitality-driven real estate ventures. 

Through Wilshire, Adam has provided a range of tailored advisory services on projects located throughout the Americas and Europe with an estimated total project value in excess of $1B. Adam, most recently acted as Senior Director, Real Estate at Vail Resorts (2019 – 2021) where he managed 3rd party developer and/or capital investment relationships as well as overseeing strategic real estate divestment initiatives totaling over $1B in project value.  

Previously, Adam was held the title of Vice President, Acquisitions + Development for Gansevoort Hotel Group (2012 – 2014), where he was primarily responsible for the company’s international expansion efforts focused on the major markets throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Leading up to his role with Gansevoort, Adam was the Development Director at Gettys, a global hospitality branding, design, fulfillment, and investment firm, a Senior Financial Analyst with LXR Luxury Resorts + Hotels, the hotel operating partner of The Blackstone Group and was responsible for asset management across multiple investment funds administered by Blackstone Real Estate Advisors.

He has held various managerial positions in both hotel, and food and beverage operations, most recently as Managing Partner of Poke Restaurant, a Pacific-Rim street-food inspired pop-up concept he co-created in Buenos Aires, as well as having held a variety of leadership roles at Hotel Victor South Beach, including Restaurant Manager at Vix Restaurant and Operations Manager for the property (2004 – 2006). 

Mr. Shindler began his post-collegiate career as an Associate within the Real Estate + Hospitality Advisory Services Group of KPMG.  During his undergraduate education, he held internships with Strategic Hotels + Resorts, LR Development and Palladium Development.

Adam received a dual-Master of Business Administration through the Global Executive MBA program (GEMBA), offered jointly between Georgetown University (McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service) and ESADE Business School (Barcelona). As graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, he received a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, with a concentration in real estate finance and co-founded The Hotel School's Entrepreneurial Society.

JASON COTTER

PARTNER, FINANCE & ASSET MANAGEMENT

Mr. Cotter is a 20-year veteran and 4th-generation hospitality executive with extensive experience in the luxury, boutique, and full-service hospitality real estate sector. His repertoire includes operations, acquisitions, development, disposition, underwriting, product conceptualization, brand and operator selection, contract negotiation, asset management, and portfolio management.

Mr. Cotter currently serves as the Managing Principal of Eloise Capital. Eloise Capital is a boutique firm focused on the asset management, development, and acquisition of hospitality real estate assets in the Americas and Europe that has advised on over $1B worth of hospitality assets. Mr. Cotter leads the firm's investment and development efforts, as well as provides asset management and advisory services to clients.

Previously Mr. Cotter served as Senior Vice President, Hospitality for Bricapital, a private equity and asset management firm focused on the Caribbean and Latin America. Mr. Cotter managed the Hospitality portfolio and ensured performance and returns. He also managed Bricapital's local hospitality investment and asset management teams. During his tenure, Mr. Cotter participated in the acquisitions, asset management, and divestments for the properties in Bricapital's portfolio, including the acquisitions of the Viceroy Zihuatanejo in Mexico, Cap Juluca in Anguilla, and the Hyatt Regency in Colombia; as well as the successful exits of Hotel Isle de France in St. Barts, the Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach, and One Bal Harbour in Bal Harbour, Florida.

Prior to Bricapital, Mr. Cotter served as Director at RJC, a boutique hospitality management consulting firm, where he worked on several high-profile engagements, including the opening of Hotel Arista, Hard Rock Hotel, and The Raleigh hotel. Also, during his time with RJC, Mr. Cotter conducted other strategic advisory assignments for third-party clients, including food & beverage concepting, brand development, and principal management/operations (as acting General Manager).

Mr. Cotter has a Bachelor of Science from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and currently sits on the Dean’s Council (CYA). He previously held numerous positions with the school’s alumni association including most recently Regional Vice President of the Cornell Hotel Society, South East Region, overseeing four local chapters.

JULIA PANDOLFO

PARTNER, SOCIAL MEDIA

Julia Pandolfo is a seasoned social media strategist and branding professional with over ten years of experience in lifestyle hospitality and luxury interior design. Julia started working in social media, before it was even a recognized profession, shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree from Providence College in Marketing with a Film Minor.

Julia is known for her creativity and ability to illustrate an idea through content. Combining best practices and innovation, she develops campaigns that are unique, memorable, and effective. Julia has grown the brand and digital footprint for SIXTY Hotels, Thompson Hotels / Commune Hotels + Resorts, the historic Watergate Hotel, and Dering Hall (now known as Chairish).

Julia is an expert in content creation, copywriting, branding, partnerships, and social media growth. She has proven experience building online communities in an authentic and meaningful way, elevating brands and the guest experience.

SERGIO SERAFIN SPERA

PARTNER, BRANDING & DESIGN

Sergio Spera is a New York City native that was raised in Italy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, as well as a M.A. in Industrial Design from the European University of Design.

Blending insight and creative expression, Sergio designs purposeful brand identities, campaigns, spaces, and experiences, that connect with people in a fresh and compelling way. Inspired by shape, architecture, and color, he strives for elegance and simplicity in its purest form, with clear and concise communications.

As a creative head across Retail Worx projects, Sergio oversees modern lifestyle brands such as Taco Dumbo, Omakasa, Proper Hall, and Bia.

Prior to joining Retail Worx, Sergio served as a Creative Director for LDV Hospitality for over 6 years. In this role, Sergio captured the essence of ‘La Dolce Vita’, and applied this aesthetic to the branding experiences of many upscale dining environments. In addition to this, Sergio also developed new dining concepts for properties like Bulgari, Gurneys Resorts, and Ritz Carlton.

ANDREA HUDDLESTON

PARTNER, TECHNICAL SERVICES & DESIGN

After decades of completing design and project management in the hospitality arena, Andrea ‘s experience and expertise in the industry provides support to owners, operators and developers with focus on being a team player to help facilitate the opening of a successful operation.

Andrea began her career in 1993 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. During her 13 years in professional practice, Andrea completed a variety of design projects including custom residential, performing arts venues, restaurants and hotels while working at Denver-based firms, Urban Design Group and Semple Brown Design. Notable projects in her diverse portfolio of design work include Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and The Curtis Hotel and Corner Office Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. In 2006, she left architectural practice and transitioned into developer-based project management in the hospitality industry with Sage Hospitality in 2006. Andrea advanced to fulfill executive roles as Director of Projects for Xanterra Parks & Resorts from 2010 – 2016, Vice President of Project Management for HRI Lodging in 2016- 2017 and Senior Director of Technical Services for Two Roads Hospitality in 2017.

While at Two Roads Hospitality, acquired by Hyatt in 2019, Andrea worked closely with Ownership teams providing Technical Services for resort and hotel development projects with particular focus on Alila Resorts and The Thompson and Joie de Vivre Hotel collections. Technical Services included assisting in the advisement on design direction, outlining program and scope, staying involved in development of all details, reviewing and advising on design and construction documents, and overseeing OS&E selection and FF&E specifications.

JASON LEE

PARTNER, DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION

Jason brings 20+ years of collective hospitality experience in hotel operations, development and construction. With a background in operations, Jason quickly ascended to executive management roles with Mandarian Oriental, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Grand Hospitality.

His desire to learn and achieve more in hospitality led to asset management duties with the Related Companies where he oversaw a portfolio of residential properties.
In 2009, Jason joined August Group NYC leading the development of The Hotel Modern in New Orleans, L.A. as “Boots On The Ground”.

Throughout the years, Jason has been a key stakeholder on a number of development and branding deals with organizations like West Elm Hotels, where he served as Brand

Ambassador leading Development and Construction.

Jason has also partnered with a number of owners and developers on new build + adaptive re-use programs and re-branding + repositioning of assets with PerceptHQ Hospitality, Signature Development Group and Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC.

His vast background has helped cement Jason’s understanding and knowledge of the hospitality space. A proven leader who drives results, Jason now serves as Managing Director for Hidden Hill Hospitality, Renovation & Construction, Inc. where he leads business operations and client relations.

JW BIBBINS III

PARTNER, RECRUITMENT

JW Bibbins brings many years of hospitality industry experience to the field of hospitality search and recruitment.

JW began his career moving up the ranks in the NYC dining scene until eventually waiting tables at French restaurateur and Michelin-starred chef Laurent Manrique’s Millesime in the Carlton Hotel and subsequently managing FOH for celebrity chef, David Burke, both in New York City.

He has recruited and placed top industry talent including C-Suite Executives, Directors, Executive Chefs, and General Managers at upscale hotels, high-end restaurants, and nationally recognized and emerging concepts across the US.

He has successfully placed hundreds of candidates with hospitality industry leaders including The Standard Hotel, The Wythe Hotel, The Knickerbocker Hotel, The Lowell Hotel, James Hotel Soho, Gansevoort Hotel, Starr Restaurants, The Lambs Club, Maison Kayser, Le Pain Quotidien, Mah Ze Dahr Bakery, Wagamama, PJ Clarkes, and Catch NYC.

MORGAN SLADE

PARTNER, GRAPHIC DESIGN

Morgan is a passionate, resourceful, creative hospitality executive with over 25 years of progressive experience leading food & beverage operations in both free-standing restaurants and multi-outlet boutique hotels. His background in fine art, photography and design has attributed to a diverse, multi-faceted career.

Working closely with his properties, and having a unique understanding of first hand operational challenged, his work has spanned everything from menu design/layout, social media campaigns, brand identity, logo creation, culinary photography and digital marketing.

Morgan founded Riccilli.com in 2012 which has continued to photo-document the creative spaces of both culinary and fine artists in a collaborative fashion.

MorganSladeStudio was established to showcase his work in the contemporary arts as well as design. He is currently represented by Quirk Gallery in Richmond, Virginia.

Morgan has worked with Destination Hotels, Two Roads Hospitality and most recently, as the Area Director of Food & Beverage for Quirk Hotels.