Isenberg HTM Alumni, Students Celebrated at Annual Dinner

The Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Department at the Isenberg School of Management held the HTM Annual Awards Dinner April 7 at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. The annual networking event recognized and promoted the HTM Department, recent alumni, and industry professionals. It was attended by HTM students, alumni, prominent industry leaders, and friends to provide and expand a network of support for the ever-growing hospitality industry.

Sports Emmy-nominated CBS football reporter Jenny Dell ’08, an HTM alumna, delivered the opening remarks. She celebrated the achievements of HTM students and alumni and attributed her career success to the foundation and opportunities received through her Isenberg education.

Senior Associate Dean Lisa Masteralexis ’87 emphasized the impact the HTM Department has on Road Map 2027—Dean Anne Massey’s strategic vision for Isenberg: “As Isenberg innovates for the future, the HTM Department is really important in that role. HTM equips its students with the soft skills, industry knowledge, and vision to lead.”

Department Chair Melissa Baker described the department’s achievements and her vision for its future.

“The Isenberg HTM Department keeps elevating hospitality education and is constantly trying to raise the bar,” she said. “Thanks to our new strategic vision, the department has achieved significant success over the past year.”

Accomplishments include welcoming the largest first-year HTM class of the past decade, immense growth in HTM double majors—which at the time of the event was 105 students (a record-breaking number for the department), and an increase in HTM rankings to the highest in over a decade.

“We have no intention of slowing down and maintaining the status quo,” said Baker. “We are here to celebrate the HTM Department, alumni, and awardees in this room who have no intention of maintaining the status quo.”

During the event, HTM students Staleyjee Meus—a senior, and junior Robert Mobley received the Stephen E. Elmont Alumni of the Year Scholarship. This scholarship is made possible through contributions from HTM alumni, industry professionals, and friends—reflecting mentorship, gratitude, and giving back.

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award was presented by Denise Coll ’75 to founder and CEO of Golden Lion Capital Investments Lyman Phillips ’16. Upon accepting his award, Phillips gave special thanks to Isenberg faculty, including Rod Warnick. His advice to current students is to step out of their comfort zone:

“The second you start feeling comfortable, push yourself a little bit harder,” Phillips said. “That’s the only way you're going to continue to see all the top-level executive positions in this room tonight.”

Philips encouraged students to embrace all the opportunities offered by UMass Amherst—noting that attending the university was the best decision he ever made.

The Steve Elmont Alumni Award was presented to Gwen Weisberg ’80, of counsel at Tanowitz Law Office, P.C., for her decades of impact as a leader, mentor, and advocate for the Isenberg community. Weisberg is an emeritus member of the Isenberg Leadership Board, a liaison to the Young Alumni Council for the past 20 years, aided in the launch of critical alumni programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, and organized the first post-pandemic alumni gathering.

She reflected on her path from hospitality to law, inspired by mentors and rooted in her experience at Isenberg:

“Helping young alumni reconnect with UMass in HTM gives me hope that they will find the support and friendship that UMass can offer,” said Weisberg.

Michelle Russo was presented with the Distinguished Industry Leader Award for her impact on global hospitality and talent development. She is known for maximizing value of over 1,800 hotels across the globe along with creating jobs and opportunities for over 250 industry professionals. Russo founded HotelAVE in 2003—now a global leader in hotel asset management and consulting.

She described her award as a shared victory for everyone who has helped her along the way, remarking that her HotelAVE team and network of support were the keys to growth and success. She advised students to leverage their networks.

“I encourage you all to ask for help, because I know that I will continue to do so as well,” said Russo.

• Learn more about the Isenberg HTM program.