Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Dean Upneja
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.
Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Dean Upneja
Latest Episodes
Jeff Gates, COO of Columbus Hospitality Group, on Elevating the Art of Service in the Tech Age
What does it take to lead in a changing industry? In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Jeff Gates, Chief Operating Officer of the
Putting Philoxenia into Practice with Demetri Tsolakis, CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality
Demetri Tsolakis, CEO of Xenia Greek Hospitality, reflected on a powerful, yet often forgotten idea: hospitality is not ...
The Cycles Are the Opportunity: Ian Livingstone on Crises, Capital, and Long-Game Real Estate
What do you do when the real estate market collapses? If you’re Ian Livingstone, you buy. In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Ian ...
The Heart of Hospitality: Bashar Wali on Emotion, Belonging, and What AI Can’t Replace
Most leaders talk about transforming hospitality. Bashar Wali actually walked away from a $150 million hotel portfolio to do it. The founder of
The Four-Pillar Framework for Talent Management in Hospitality: Sarah Diehl on Culture, Values & Leadership
When Sarah Diehl’s corporate HR role was eliminated, she called it “the best thing that could have happened.” Out of that setback came Empowered Hospitality, a consulting firm dedicated to helping restaurants and hotels build resilient, people-...
