Jane Pritzker ’79 Wins HTM Department's 2026 Elmont Award

After beginning her career at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Jane Pritzker ’79 went on to sales and marketing roles with Hyatt and Le Meridien Boston before launching her own consulting business and later transitioning into the rapidly expanding world of hospitality technology. 

Pritzker has served on the Leadership Board of Isenberg’s Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Department for the past decade and is the board’s immediate past chair. She mentors students and stays engaged on campus, supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Pritzker was presented with the Stephen Elmont Award at the HTM Annual Awards Dinner in April. The Elmont Award is a tribute to a visionary professional who has left the world a better place, recognizing their pursuit of excellence and their outstanding contributions to HTM and the Isenberg School of Management. 

We talked to Pritzker about her background and passion for hospitality. 

What sparked your interest in working in the hospitality and tourism industry, and what has kept you there over the years?

I became interested while I was at Isenberg. I didn’t realize that hospitality and tourism was even a profession to be had until I took an intro class to fill an elective, and that was it. I was hooked, so I declared HTM, or as it was called then, HRTA (Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration) as my major. I got to work at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki while participating in the College Exchange program at the University of Hawaii, complete an internship, and participate in other activities, like selling trips to Bermuda, sales blitzes, and more, all while I was still in school. I loved everything I did, which confirmed that this was the career for me. 

After graduating, I got a job with Hyatt in their training program, where I worked in every department at the hotel. I enjoyed each area and became very close to the people I worked with. That was the part that really kept me interested. Subsequently, I chose to focus on hospitality sales and pursued my career in that discipline at Hyatt, Le Meridien, and the Boston Convention Center, before delving more into technology for hospitality.

You've served on the HTM Leadership Board for more than a decade. What motivates you to remain actively involved with the program?

It’s important for me to continue to stay involved with young people coming into the industry. It keeps me connected in meaningful ways, and giving back is important to me. I hope my experience and knowledge can be of help to the department and the students.

As someone who works closely with today's hospitality industry, what advice do you most often share with students preparing to enter the field?

Have an open mind. The industry has changed dramatically over the years and there are so many more avenues to pursue than there were when I graduated. Take the time to explore; the traditional big companies that recruit on campus are great, and there are also many other types of organizations to work for now. Also, roles within hospitality have changed, so people who are double majoring have an advantage. For example, a background in marketing, finance, or technology can lead to roles in the industry that combine multiple disciplines to support new aspects and opportunities.

What does receiving this alumni award mean to you personally and professionally?

It’s truly an honor to be recognized. I see it as a culmination of what I have done over the years. From volunteering in classrooms, to being a mentor, serving on Board Committees, and engaging with students at various junctures, this award has made me pause and think about all that my involvement in the world of hospitality and tourism management has meant to me. It’s meaningful to look back and reflect on my journey, the industry, and my time at UMass, and I appreciate this moment in time greatly.

Looking back over more than three decades in the industry, what have been some of the defining moments in your career? What are you most proud of?

One defining moment was getting my first job prior to graduation. Working with Hyatt was a highlight of my life and career. Rising to be a director of sales and marketing at age 25 also made me very proud. Being the opening director of sales for a new hotel was by far one of my best experiences, and winning Director of Sales of the Year with Hyatt for that hotel made me very proud. Going out on my own as a consultant was also a defining moment, but in another way, because it was exciting, but also scary and uncertain. Thankfully, I had a good network of contacts to reach out to, excellent skills I could share with independent properties, and it ended up being the best part of my career. After that came to an end due to the economic crash in 2008, I had to pivot again. I am proud of my perseverance, ongoing desire to learn and my ability to embrace a new sector of the industry at that time.

You've witnessed tremendous change in hospitality over the years. What are some of the biggest shifts you've observed?

Technology is, of course, the biggest shift. When I began in the industry, there was maybe one computer in a sales office, which served as a central point for word processing. We also used Lotus 123 as the first automated spreadsheet. There was no commission or bonus structure for sales teams, and I ran straight into a brick wall when it came to maternity leave. I had to fight a battle to get any benefits at all when I had my kids. It was pretty much the dark ages. 

Now the world is completely different. Many of the shifts and changes are good, like wage and benefit improvements, digital tools and technology to help manage and inspire the guest journey while also making our jobs easier and more efficient, and social media to be able to connect with the myriad people met over the course of a career. 

However, we are now racing so fast and implementing so many different tools, and I hope the industry does not lose site of the core business. As we have become more transactional and metrics-focused, I hope we can remember that hospitality and tourism management is, at its core, a people business. As long as technology continues to enhance the jobs we humans do without taking it over, I think we will be okay.

What inspired you to launch your own consulting business?

I loved being on property as a director of sales and marketing, but at that time it was still a 70-hour work week. When I had my kids, I needed to spend time with them. At that time there was little flexibility on property, and the only way to remain engaged, and working, was to become a consultant. I ended up loving it, and in many ways, those were the best years of my career.