AHLA Foundation Announces 2026 Board of Trustees
Anu Saxena, Hilton Supply Management President, to serve second term as board chair
Washington, D.C. [January 21, 2026] — The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, today announced its 2026 Board of Trustees, advancing its mission to support workforce development and initiatives that strengthen the hospitality industry and the communities it serves.
Hilton Supply Management President Anu Saxena will serve a second term as chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees, bringing continued leadership and vision to the Foundation’s programs and initiatives.
“Anu’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission, and we’re thrilled she will continue to guide our efforts in 2026,” said AHLA Foundation President & CEO Kevin Carey. “The Foundation’s work to develop talent and create career opportunities is more important than ever as our industry continues to grow and evolve.”
“The AHLA Foundation plays a critical role in developing the next generation of hospitality professionals and supporting our industry’s workforce,” said Saxena. “I’m honored to continue serving as chair and to work alongside this exceptional group of trustees and our dedicated team at the Foundation as we expand our impact and create pathways to opportunity for current and aspiring hospitality leaders across America.”
Joan Bottarini, Chief Financial Officer at Hyatt, and Joseph Bojanowski, President and CEO at PM Hotel Group, will serve alongside Saxena as officers of the AHLA Foundation’s 2026 Board as Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively. New members to the Board of Trustees include Barry Bloom, President and Chief Operating Officer at Xenia Hotels & Resorts; Sarah Dinger, Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations at My Place Hotels; and Apoorva Gandhi, Senior Vice President, Community Engagement and Business Councils at Marriott International. See the full Board of Trustees roster HERE.
Founded in 1953, the AHLA Foundation is dedicated to supporting and cultivating the hotel industry’s current and future workforce through programs and initiatives, including scholarships, professional development resources, No Room for Trafficking, and FORWARD. The Foundation works across every segment of the industry – hotel brands, owners, operators, managers, employees, suppliers, and nonprofit/community-based partners – to ensure the industry has the skilled, passionate workforce needed to deliver world-class service.
About the AHLA Foundation
AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry’s greatest asset – our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org.
