Tuesday, February 13, 2024
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has announced the promotion of five key members of its leadership team today:
Matt Carrier has been elevated to the position of Senior Vice President of Federal Affairs, Policy, and Research. Carrier will spearhead the AHLA’s federal advocacy efforts, focusing on engaging with Congress and addressing regulatory concerns. He will also maintain his oversight of the association’s research initiatives in the industry. Carrier, who has been with AHLA since early 2020, brings nearly a decade of experience from the hotel sector, including a recent stint at Marriott International.
Sarah Bratko has been appointed as Vice President of State & Local Government Affairs & Policy Counsel. In her new capacity, Bratko will play a pivotal role in enhancing and guiding AHLA’s state and local policy team, a crucial element in AHLA’s mission to achieve advocacy success for hotel operators nationwide. Bratko, who joined AHLA in 2022 from the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, has proven to be an essential asset in policy analysis for the association.
Olivia Klipa has been promoted to Vice President of Conferences and Events. Klipa, who has been with the organization for nearly eight years, has played a significant role in the growth and development of AHLA and AHLA Foundation events, increasing member engagement opportunities to over 100 annually. She has been instrumental in elevating the Foundation’s two yearly fundraising events to generate millions of dollars. Klipa’s new role involves overseeing the strategy, management, and execution of all AHLA and AHLA Foundation programs, meetings, and special events, further enhancing these as vital sources of non-dues revenue.
Lauren Pravlik has been promoted to Vice President of Committees & Member Engagement, a newly established position. Pravlik will focus on the strategic expansion of AHLA’s Committee portfolio and content-driven groups that enhance member engagement through industry alignment, networking, and the creation of valuable industry resources. With nearly 13 years at AHLA, Pravlik’s broad experience positions her well to drive this initiative.
Kat Fonda has been named Senior Director of Federal Affairs, recognizing her significant contributions to AHLA’s federal advocacy efforts, particularly in labor regulation, industry coalition leadership, and broadening AHLA’s political reach in Washington, D.C. Fonda joined AHLA in 2023 from Fundraising Inc., where she worked as a fundraising consultant for numerous members of Congress.
These promotions reflect the dynamic growth and increasingly crucial role of the AHLA team in advocating for the hotel industry. Since 2021, the combined staff of the AHLA and AHLA Foundation has nearly doubled, now exceeding 85 employees, as AHLA continues its mission as the unified voice for America’s hotels and actively engages in policy matters impacting hoteliers at every government level.
AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers has praised the promotions as “incredibly well deserved” and highlighted their importance in continuing AHLA’s commitment to delivering exceptional advocacy, member services, and communications support to hoteliers across the nation. Rogers encourages the AHLA community to congratulate Matt, Sarah, Olivia, Lauren, and Kat for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
