2026 LHA Speakers & Moderators
Lynette Montoya
President & CEO
Latino Hotel Association
Ashli Johnson
Hospitality Sharpshooter | Equity & Inclusion Champion
HospitalityHued
Mabelle Perez
Associate Vice President
Matthews Real Estate
Dr. Suzanne Bagnera
Director, Hospitality Executive Education
FIU / Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Clay Dickinson
Professor of Hospitality Real Estate FIU / Managing Director Horwath HT
FIU / Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Jonathan Falik
JF Capital Advisors and as Founder, CEO
FIU
Victor Cruz
Vice President of Business Development & Transitions
Sandpiper Hospitality
Juan Suarez
Director of Lodging Development
Marriott International
Michael Garcia
President
Matthews Southwest Hospitality, LLC (MSWH)
Mike Lakusta
CEO & Founding Partner
EthniFacts, LLC
John Lancaster
Vice President Emerging Markets Development and Owner Relations
Choice Hotels International
Christian Irastorza
Vice President of Hospitality
Iras Group
John Lancet
Senior Managing Director & Practice Leader - Southeast and Caribbean Regions
HVS Consulting & Valuation
Diana Plazas-Trowbridge
Chief Lodging Product Officer / US & Canada
Marriott International
Mychal Milian
General Manager
Southbeach Marriott
Marco (MJ" Roca Jr.
Co Founder/Partner
Reveille Hospitality
Frank Peña
Franchise Development
Wyndham
Mark Williams
Managing Director Franchise Development
Extended Stay America
John Koshivos
VP & Managing Director Development, Southeast Region
Hilton
Vanessa Abreu
Vice President & Division Area Manager
First American Title Insurance
Christian Hutchinson
Francisco Nacorda
SVP of Originations
Mag Mile Capital
Isaias Peret
Cristina Zampieri
Commercial Real Estate Lending Officer
PI Bank
Carlos Rodriguez Jr.
President & CEO
Driftwood Capital
Larry Abbo
CEO
Prime Group US
Zach Garcia
Senior Associate
Lion Grove
Walter Barela
Principal
Peak Hospitality
Paulette Padron
VP of Revenue
Tailor Made Hospitality
Lina Patel
Director, Strategic Franchise Initiatives
Red Roof Inns
Michael Patterson
Director / Luxury & Lifestyle Development / East
Hyatt
Sarah Gulati
Attorney & Law Counselor
Gulati Law, P.L.
Sophia Pittaluga
Senior VP
Hunter Hotel Advisors
Steven Senft
Senior Vice President
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Annabelle Lastre
CEO - Commercial Insurance Advisor
Highlight Risk Services
Wendy Preciado
International Business Development & Consultant
GSP
Alex Cerulli
Vice President - Business Development
Path Construction
Hitesh Patel (HP)
Chief Operating Officer
Curve Hospitality
Miriam Salas, AIA, LEED AP
Partner | Studio Director
Campo Architecture & Interior Design