Advisory Board

Barry A.N. Bloom, Ph.D. is President and Chief Operating Officer of Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a NYSE-listed REIT. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Florida International University. He previously served as an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University.

Prior to his academic career, he was a Principal of Abacus Lodging Investors, EVP of Portfolio Management & Administration with CNL Hotels & Resorts, and VP – Investment Management for Hyatt Hotels. He also worked for Tishman Hotel & Realty, VMS Realty Partners, and PKF (now CBRE Hotels). He received his B.S. and an MBA from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University. 

Stephanie C. Fischer is a visionary leader and the President and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association, renowned for her strategic acumen, openness and unwavering commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry. Talking the helm in early 2024, Stephanie’s focus is not just on the large restaurant groups in the state but also bringing equal service to the independent restaurateurs. Her role includes engaging with Georgia state lawmakers to address the needs of the restaurant industry as part of the Georgia Restaurant Associations  commitment to promoting policies at both the state and local levels that create a healthy business environment for members and the industry.

Stephanie has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and advancing people in their hospitality careers, while spearheading innovative learning and development programs. Her leadership has not only elevated the dining experience but has also fostered environments where employees thrive, and organizational goals are surpassed. 

She began her restaurant industry journey with an unassuming role at Kentucky Fried Chicken during her high school years. With a decorated career spanning over two decades Stephanie’s ascent through the industry is a testament to resilience, the power of mentorship, a love of people and the value of open leadership. Her illustrious career, enriched by significant tenures at Walt Disney World Company, where she led learning & development for Epcot’s food & beverage and retail lines of business, Dunkin' Brands Inc. as an Operations Training Manager, and executive positions at Hojeij Branded Foods and Paradies Lagardère, illustrates her ingenuity and dedication to enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiencies.

Now at the helm of the Georgia Restaurant Association, Stephanie embodies its mission to advocate, educate, and engage its members, championing the interests of Georgia's vibrant restaurant scene. Her leadership is characterized by resilience, a commitment to growing people, and a philosophy of inquisitive learning about all that impacts the future of the industry from diverse representations in operation, cost efficiencies, technology, sustainability products, and practices that invites collaboration and innovation.

Stephanie is an alum of Stetson University, where she earned a Master of Business Administration in Management & Operations. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations, with a Minor in Marketing, from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.  She has been lauded with industry recognitions such as being named a Woman of Influence in the Food Industry in 2020 and recognized as a business leader by James Magazine on their 2024 list of Georgia’s Most Influential.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.  She joined the board of the Georgia Restaurant Association in 2017 and was Chairman of the Board in 2022.

Residing in Atlanta with her husband, Patrick and extended family, Stephanie is a servant leader who continues to inspire with her vision for a sustainable, community-engaged restaurant industry. For those who want to learn more about the Georgia Restaurant Association’s mission of  advocacy , education and awareness or interested in membership opportunities, please visit to their website at Membership Information - Georgia Restaurant Association (garestaurants.org).

Chris Hardman currently serves as the Director of Governmental Affairs & Membership for the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association (GHLA) representing the states lodging industry. In addition to Hardman’s role overseeing membership, he also serves as one of GHLA’s registered lobbyist, having taken the lead on several monumental and historic pieces of legislation benefiting the entire hospitality and tourism industry. Most notably Hardman championed the 2021 passage of House Bill 317, requiring short term rental platforms to collect and remit the hotel motel tax on behalf of their hosts, which has arguably become the greatest economic generator for tourism in Georgia since the creation of the bed tax in the early 70’s. In 2022, Hardman led the effort to secure the passage of Senate Bill 331 “The Protecting Georgia Businesses and Workers Act” which became the first of its kind legislation to pass in the nation and has recently been adopted by ALEC as model legislation. In addition, this year, Hardman helped secure the passage of Senate Bill 127, providing much needed protections for Convention and Visitors Bureaus across the state and is continuing his efforts to shape the rules and regulations under the Department of Community Affairs to add even further to these protections.

Hardman graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and a BBA in Hospitality Administration from Georgia State University (GSU). Hardman then went on to receive his Master’s in Global Hospitality Management from GSU. Hardman has since been selected into GSU’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. Prior to working with GHLA, Hardman was the Research Associate for Georgia Capitol Associates, advocating on behalf of the hospitality and tourism industry, and served four years as the Member Development Executive and a registered lobbyist for the Georgia Restaurant Association, representing one of the largest industries in the state. Through GHLA, Hardman continues to be recognized for his legislative efforts having most recently received the ISHA Awards of Excellence in Governmental Affairs, the GACVB Tourism Champion Award, and STS Shining Example Award. In addition to Hardman’s work with GHLA, he has volunteered his time in many capacities and on several industry boards including the International Society of Hotel Associations, American Hospitality Alliance, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, The Entertainment Tourism Alliance of Georgia, Kennesaw State University, Roswell CVB, Brookhaven CVB, ATL Airport District, and others.

As the second largest private sector employer, Georgia’s hospitality and tourism industry supports over 500,000 jobs and generates more than $74 Billion in annual economic impact. Hardman has spent his career and will continue to devote his time in creating better environment for hospitality and tourism businesses in Georgia.

Cartarwa Jones joined RLJ in 2007 and is a Senior Vice President in the Investment & Portfolio Analysis group. RLJ Lodging Trust is a publicly traded hotel REIT with 96 properties located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and one unconsolidated hotel. Cartarwa has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining RLJ, Ms. Jones held various positions at the InterContinental Hotels Group as well as PwC, providing market & feasibility, strategic planning, financial, and project planning analysis on numerous projects.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Florida State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Economics from the University of South Florida. 

As Chief Investment Officer Mr. Leven is responsible for overall portfolio development strategies which includes all aspects of evaluation, analysis and execution of real estate investment opportunities for Procaccianti Companies.

A principal and senior member of the Investment Committee for more than a decade, Mr. Leven has played a critical leadership role in driving the Firm’s growth having been involved with hundreds of transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, and new hotel developments. His pragmatic approach, superior analytics and entrepreneurial vision have led to the expansion of the Firm’s national platform which now comprises approximately $3.5 Billion in diverse real estate assets currently under management. 

Since joining the Firm in 2002, Mr. Leven has also expanded relationships with institutional ownership groups, capital partners and global hospitality brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and InterContinental. Furthermore, through his leadership Rob has helped to position Procaccianti Companies and its affiliates as one of the largest and most respected privately-held real estate investment and management firms in the United States. 

Prior to joining Procaccianti Companies Mr. Leven held a senior position with a leading U.S. hotel brokerage firm and he was also one of the original founders of U.S. Franchise Systems in 1995. 

Mr. Leven is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. 

With over 18 years of experience in corporate hospitality, Dwayne joined Valor Hospitality Partners following senior leadership roles with Chesapeake Hospitality, Marriott International and IHG, as well as previously serving as a hospitality consultant at REVPAR International.

As Chief Development Officer, Dwayne leads the execution of Valor’s growth strategy in the Americas by sourcing, structuring, negotiating and executing third-party management contracts and assisting with underwriting acquisition and development opportunities for the company and its capital partners. Additionally, he continues to build and nurture Valor’s strategic relationships with hotel ownership groups, hotel brands, asset managers, hotel brokers and the hotel investment community at large.

In addition to his role at Valor, Dwayne works as a facilitator for eCornell, Cornell University’s online learning platform, instructing classes courses within Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business (including the Nolan School of Hotel Administration) in hotel real estate investments, hotel asset management, hotel brand management and franchise negotiation, hotel owner relations, and commercial real estate. These courses taught form part of the Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management, Hotel Management & Owner Relations, Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Development, and Real Estate Property Management certificate programs.

Dwayne is currently completing an Executive Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University and holds a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from Curtin University and a Master of Entrepreneurship from The University of Adelaide. Additionally, he holds bachelor’s degrees in marketing and in leisure sciences and sports management from Edith Cown University. Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Dwayne currently resides in Milton, Georgia. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time with family, traveling, attending concerts, beach activities, supporting the Liverpool and Hawthorn football clubs and being a foodie. 

Holly Quinlan became the President and CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism in December 2010. Cobb Travel & Tourism is responsible for marketing Cobb County as a destination, as well as promoting and generating tourism, convention, trade show and sports development activity throughout Cobb County. 

Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Very active in the community, Quinlan co-chaired the Leadership Cobb 2023 Class and the selection committee for the Tribute to Women by LiveSafe Resources. She also is a member of Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business Advisory Board, the One Cumberland Board of Directors and the Marietta Kiwanis Club. 

Quinlan was named a 40 Under 40 by Georgia Trend magazine, 20 Under 40 by Cobb Life magazine and has been given the Up and Comers Award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. She has also received the LiveSafe Resources Women of Achievement Award. 

She was a Volunteer Probation Officer for Cobb County Superior Court for 13 years. She is a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Cobb and Honorary Commanders. 

A native of Cobb County (GA), she graduated from the University of Georgia. She is the mother of 15-year-old twin daughters. 

Dina Winder brings 20+ years of experience in hospitality real estate with a demonstrated track record of driving superior results through active asset management and forging strategic partnerships. She is intensely focused on maximizing investor returns with an eye to the guest experience and executing value-add renovation and repositioning plans.

Dina is currently Senior Vice President, Asset Management at Highgate, a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Dina was previously a Principal with Walton Street Capital in Chicago, focused on the asset management of $1+ billion of hotel and resort properties across the US. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Acquisitions at Chartres Lodging Group responsible for sourcing, underwriting, due diligence and financing efforts for off-market and adaptive-reuse acquisition opportunities across the US. Prior to Chartres, Dina was with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, implementing the boutique lifestyle brand’s growth strategy as Senior Director of Acquisitions and Development. Dina began her career as an investment banker at Bear Stearns in the Real Estate, Gaming, Lodging and Leisure Group in New York.

Dina has a BS from Cornell University, an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and is a Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM) designee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association as chair of the Industry Relations Committee, is active in AHLA’s ForWard initiatives and champions advancing women within the real estate and hospitality industry. Dina lives in Nashville, TN, and can often be found running the trails around town.