Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Dean Upneja

By BU School of Hospitality Administration

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Episodes: 41

Description

What does it take to lead in one of the world's most dynamic industries? Distinguished brings you unfiltered conversations with the executives, founders, general managers, and investors who are shaping the future of global hospitality. 

 

Hosted by Dean Arun Upneja of Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, each episode goes beyond the headlines to tackle the real challenges facing hospitality leaders today from hotel operations and restaurant innovation to talent management, climate action, and the rise of AI and robotics across the industry. 

Our guests represent every corner of hospitality: luxury hotels, independent restaurants, travel and tourism, entertainment venues, and more. They bring hard-won insight, bold ideas, and the kind of candor you won't find in a boardroom. 

 

Whether you're a seasoned hospitality professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Distinguished is your front-row seat to the conversations that matter. 

 

Follow Distinguished on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and join a growing community of hospitality leaders who never stop learning. 


Episode Date
Leading With Curiosity: Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette
Jun 10, 2026
Jen Ziskin, Executive Director of Mass Restaurant United: Advocating on Wages, Fees, and Workforce So Independent Restaurants Can Thrive
May 20, 2026
Jeff Gates, COO of Columbus Hospitality Group, on Elevating the Art of Service in the Tech Age
May 06, 2026
Putting Philoxenia into Practice with Demetri Tsolakis, CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality
Mar 27, 2026
The Cycles Are the Opportunity: Ian Livingstone on Crises, Capital, and Long-Game Real Estate
Jan 05, 2026
The Heart of Hospitality: Bashar Wali on Emotion, Belonging, and What AI Can’t Replace
Nov 21, 2025
The Four-Pillar Framework for Talent Management in Hospitality: Sarah Diehl on Culture, Values & Leadership
Oct 06, 2025
Amanda Hyndman, Chief Operating Officer of Mandarin Oriental: Redefining Luxury from the Inside Out
Aug 04, 2025
Ed Brown, CEO of Restaurant Associates: The Right Ingredients for Hospitality at Scale
Jul 22, 2025
George Poll on Building Distinctive Dining Experiences from Long Island to Miami
Dec 19, 2024
Unlocking Ultra-Luxury with Managing Director Luigi Romaniello on the Grand Reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York
Dec 04, 2024
Inhospitable? Redefining Service in Luxury Hospitality with Kate Buhler, Founder and President of Profitable to Train
Nov 05, 2024
Aldau Development: Modern Hospitality Meets Millennia-Old Treasures
Oct 28, 2024
Tipping & Wages Series: Politics Play Up the Benefits of Eliminating Taxes on Tips
Sep 23, 2024
Leadership Series: Practical Strategies for Bridging Leadership Gaps with Executive Coach Lori Mazan
Sep 05, 2024
Saru Jayaraman Fights for One Fair Wage
Aug 20, 2024
Tipping Series: The Psychology of Tipping with Michael Lynn, Ph.D., Professor of Services Marketing, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration
Jul 17, 2024
Leadership Series: Dondra Ritzenthaler Embarks on a New Leadership Role
Jun 05, 2024
The Matters that Massachusetts Restaurant Association Wages for (and against) with Stephen Clark
Apr 29, 2024
Tipping & Wages Series: Restauranteur's Dilemma of Balancing Equity and Economics with TJ Callahan
Apr 15, 2024
Revolutionizing the Hostel Experience with Oliver Winter, Founder & CEO of a&o Hostels
Apr 01, 2024
Leadership Series: Demystifying the C-Suite Search with Ann Fastiggi of Spencer Stuart
Mar 18, 2024
40,000-foot-view of Customer Care with Allison Ausband, Executive Vice President, and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Delta Air Lines
Mar 04, 2024
Leadership Series: Radical Mentor with Cindy Novotny, Managing Partner of Master Connection Associates
Feb 19, 2024
Big Brand Hotels: Striving to be Guests’ Everything with Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas of IHG Hotels & Resorts
Feb 05, 2024
Leadership Series: How to Identify a Positive, Values-Based Organizational Culture
Jan 22, 2024
The Virtuous Cycle of Purpose Driving Profit with Niren Chaudhary, Chairman of Panera Brands
Dec 11, 2023
More Fun and Less Friction with Tim McLaughlin, Cofounder and CEO of GoTab
Nov 27, 2023
California Raises Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Workers
Nov 13, 2023
Hospitality by Design with Steven Upchurch, Co-Managing Director of Gensler
Oct 30, 2023
Beyond Running Shoes with Keith Craig, Senior Director of Development of NB Development Group
Oct 16, 2023
Daily Table Offers a Hand, Not a Hand-Out with Doug Rauch, Founder and President of Daily Table
Oct 02, 2023
Old-world Charm Meets Automation: New England Inns & Resorts with Deborah Burns, Executive Director of New England Inns & Resorts Association
Sep 18, 2023
Columbus Hospitality Group’s Approach(ability) to Fine Dining with Mark D’Alessandro, Director of Operations
Aug 28, 2023
Sharing Sonesta’s Secret with Vera Manoukian, Chief Operating Officer of Sonesta International Hotels
Aug 21, 2023
The Way to Bartaco with Anthony Valletta, President of Bartaco
Aug 07, 2023
Rebuilding Hospitality with Quendrida Whitmore, Executive Coach
Jul 24, 2023
Mandarin Oriental’s Legendary Luxury with James Riley, Group Chief Executive
Jul 17, 2023
Meet Boston: Widening the View with Hilina Ajakaiye, Executive Vice President of Meet Boston, and Colette Phillips, CEO and President/Chief Strategist/Visionary of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc.
Jul 11, 2023
Xenia and the Art of Luxury Retail with Ian Carter Chairman of Watches of Switzerland Group
Jun 26, 2023
Distinguished (Official Trailer)
Jun 19, 2023