Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management
MCHA Spotlight on Women in Leadership
On September 25th, 2019, the Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) hosted an event at the Embassy Suites in Seaside, CA, to honor women from throughout the hospitality industry for their dedication to leadership and professional excellence in their roles. The MCHA 4th Annual Spotlight on Women Leadership Awards honorees included five women from CSU Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Hospitality Management program: Bachelor of Science students Magdalena Ferraro, Nichol Veles, and Abigail Castillo; Assistant Professor Dr. Roberta Atzori; and Administrative Support Coordinator Cynthia Satterlee-Donoghue.
The annual awards event is part of the MCHA Education Seminar Series that provides professional development for front-line staff, young managers, and experienced executives alike. At this year’s event, emceed by Kathleen Lee from Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s office, attendees heard from speakers Donna Lindseth, Banquet Manager at the Inn at Pasatiempo, Teri Owens, General Manager at Embassy Suites, and Catherine Herman Aker, Oakland Athletics Vice President of Communications and Community Relationships. These female leaders from the local region’s hospitality industry inspired the audience by sharing their journeys to success, recounting challenges and accomplishments from personal experience as women rising in the ranks.
Currently, almost half of all hospitality industry positions are filled by women, making investing in these employees critical to the overall success of organizations in this sector. The Spotlight on Women Leadership Awards recognizes women leaders within MCHA member organizations who serve as exemplary role models, advocates, and supporters of excellence in hospitality. We congratulate our 2019 CSUMB honorees!