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We are delighted to highlight the remarkable achievements of Suzanne Markham Bagnera, Ph.D., one of the founding members of Hospitality Internships' Academic Advisory Committee. Dr. Bagnera brings over 22 years of higher education experience and more than 25 years of hands-on industry expertise, making her an invaluable asset to our committee and the broader hospitality community.
Leadership and Expertise in Higher Education
Dr. Bagnera currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University. In this role, she applies her extensive knowledge to teach lodging-related classes and contributes to the implementation of non-credit-bearing courses and continuing education initiatives in collaboration with industry partners.
Industry Contributions and Innovations
Beyond academia, Dr. Bagnera is a key figure in the hospitality industry. She is the Executive Producer of the renowned podcast No Vacancy Live, hosted by Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri. The podcast, which received the Industry Recognition Award by ICHRIE in 2023, is the top-rated hospitality podcast by the International Hospitality Institute.
Career Highlights
Dr. Bagnera's previous roles include Undergraduate Programs Chair at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, where she coordinated faculty efforts and taught both graduate and undergraduate classes. She has also made significant contributions to institutions such as Johnson & Wales University, Endicott College, Fisher College, Mount Ida College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Indian River State College.
In 2020, she founded the Hospitality Leadership Academy, where she serves as Managing Partner. The Academy offers customized training and management services aimed at enhancing customer service and developing talented employees. Dr. Bagnera co-authored the textbook Human Resource Management in Hospitality Cases and has significantly contributed to other key industry publications.
Research and Publications
Dr. Bagnera's research focuses on the impacts of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry and user-generated content in traveler reviews. Her work has been published in various academic journals, and she has presented her research at numerous conferences, serving as a panelist, moderator, and keynote speaker.
Early Career and Education
Her journey in hospitality began at Louie’s Shore Restaurant in New York, where scenes from Meet the Parents were filmed. She has held key management positions at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express, gaining comprehensive experience in all hotel department operations.
Dr. Bagnera earned her Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University and holds an MBA and undergraduate degrees from Johnson & Wales University. Her dedication to the field has earned her several prestigious accolades, including being named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in USA Hospitality in 2022 and one of the 25 Most Influential Educators in Hospitality in 2021 by the International Hospitality Institute. She has also been recognized as a Top 50 Global Social Media Influencer in Hospitality and a Top 30 Most Influential Educator.
Commitment to Future Leaders
Dr. Bagnera's involvement with Hospitality Internships' Academic Advisory Committee underscores her commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders. "I think what Tim (Flohr) has started with Hospitality Internships is a great industry opportunity," Dr. Bagnera remarked. "I’m thrilled that he added Lisa Cain to the team to get this concept off the ground. Tim was able to find a gap in the industry where there was no central location for internships available for students in the hospitality industry. This platform allows for employers to offer these unique opportunities and for students to locate and apply for these opportunities more easily. But the team didn’t stop there – they stepped it up a notch to help support the students entering into the industry by providing career fairs and other learning opportunities."
"I’ve had the pleasure of kicking off the first career fair with my podcast partners, Anthony Melchiorri and Glenn Haussman, hosts of the No Vacancy Live podcast. We are looking forward to supporting the event this fall."
"The team is making connections with the industry to develop partnerships with guidance and recommendations from the Academic Advisory Committee. We were happy to host the launch announcement on the NVL podcast with the AHLA Foundation. It’s all about connections and networking. This episode offered the leadership team an opportunity to attend the [CLIC] conference in March 2025, where Glenn and I will be on a panel session with the HI team sharing our insights about solving the labor challenges a platform like HI can provide. I appreciate that Tim takes the time to vet the ideas shared by the committee and explore what will provide the most impact for employers and students alike."
Personal Life and Interests
Dr. Bagnera resides in Florida and enjoys teaching seminars on leadership, management, and service excellence. Outside of her professional pursuits, she loves traveling, dining out, and spending quality time with her family. Suzanne is known for her dedication to animal rescue, as she has two black labrador retrievers, several birds and other small animals.
We are honored to have Dr. Suzanne Markham Bagnera as a founding member of Hospitality Internships' Academic Advisory Committee. Her vast expertise and innovative contributions will undoubtedly continue to inspire and elevate our students and the broader hospitality community.
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