Gwen Weisberg: Mentorship, Leadership, and Vision in HTM

“The key to being a good leader and mentor is to help someone understand what their strengths and weaknesses are,” said Gwen Weisberg ’80, of counsel at Tanowitz Law Office, P.C., who was honored at the Isenberg School of Management’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Annual Awards Dinner in the spring with the Stephen E. Elmont Award. Weisberg’s decades of leadership and advocacy for the Isenberg HTM community include participating in the HTM Leadership Class’s mentor program, in which students are matched with a mentor based on their interests.

“I learn so much from the students,” she said. “Giving back is very important to me.”

Weisberg’s passion for mentorship is fueled by her own experience as a student in the Isenberg HTM program, which was known at the time as the Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration (HRTA). She received helpful mentoring from Steve Fletcher, HRTA department chair, who supported Weisberg’s work overseeing one of the earliest department Career Day events. Weisberg recalled preparing for the event on a typewriter in her dorm and remarked on how much it has grown and changed over the years.

“Career Day has now become an industry in Isenberg,” said Weisberg, who is one of the HTM alumni who has played an integral role in the event’s success by providing student networking opportunities, event support, and funding. “It gives students an opportunity to run an event planning business.”

Stephen E. Elmont Award

Weisberg’s view of visionary leadership as proactive and future-facing aligns with Stephen Elmont’s legacy. “A visionary is someone willing to look ahead, not just where the industry is today, but how it can improve,” she said. “Steve was constantly looking for the next trend, striving to remain relevant and ahead of the curve.”

Weisberg, who earned a law degree from Temple University School of Law, served as a member of the UMass Amherst Alumni Association for 20 years and is the Chair of the Grants Committee of Women for UMass, an Alumni Association Affiliate Group. She is a Past President and emeritus member of the Board of Directors of UMass Hillel House, and participates as an emeritus member of the UMass Amherst HTM Department Leadership Board, and is the Board liaison to the HTM Young Alumni Council.

“Gwen is the epitome of the Stephen E. Elmont Award. Her unwavering passion for uplifting the Isenberg HTM community, mentoring students, building support systems, and forging new pathways for keeping alumni connected is extraordinary. This prestigious award is a reflection of the impact she has made—and continues to make—on generations of students and the broader Isenberg HTM family,” noted Department Chair and Jaime ’76 and Cindy Pereira Faculty Fellow Melissa Baker.

“The award is incredibly important to me,” Weisberg said, describing how her passion for working with students and the Isenberg HTM community drives her dedication to the school and to UMass Amherst, where she is constantly looking ahead to strategize ways to create support systems and keep alumni connected.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Weisberg assisted fellow volunteer Keith Sacenti in launching Zoom mentorship sessions for recent HTM graduates who lost job offers in the hospitality and tourism field. “Everyone I knew who had a job upon graduation lost their offers—except for one person,” she said. “By putting on these virtual sessions, we were trying to show that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” Weisberg demonstrated adaptability to change and continued dedication through perilous times. Although she was unable to offer recent alumni jobs at the time, Weisberg took part in fostering community and providing solidarity for fellow alumni.

Today, Weisberg volunteers her time and offers the same guidance and support to anticipate future trends—strategizing coursework and professional speakers with fellow board members to prepare for upcoming changes in hospitality.

“AI is going to take over a lot of planning, but it can’t replace the human in hospitality,” she said. “Students do have to be very careful about how they use it.” She utilizes her time on the leadership board to advocate for steps that prepare students for change. “We want to get more coursework in that’s going to help our students navigate the trends.”

Weisberg’s advice to students and young alumni is to explore career paths early, say yes to opportunities, and nurture leadership from within. “Do what you love and give yourself the opportunity to try different aspects of the industry,” she said. Weisberg calls mentorship a career-defining stage in a student’s journey, allowing them to understand their strengths and test the waters in careers.

• Learn more about Isenberg HTM: https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/depts/htm