Julienne Smith

Julienne Smith is currently the Chief Development Officer for IHG Hotels & Resorts where she oversees the company's growth in the Americas region. Prior to joining IHG, she was Senior Vice President Development & Owner Relations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation based in Chicago from 2014 until 2019 where she was responsible for franchised and managed development in the United States and Canada. Previously, Julienne served as Vice President of Real Estate and Development where she oversaw the growth of Hyatt's select service brands throughout the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Julienne held several positions within Marriott International's Lodging Development group in Bethesda, MD and Newport Beach, CA, prior to joining Hyatt in 2005. Julienne is a graduate of Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences. She is an active member in several hospitality industry organizations including AH&LA, AAHOA and The Castell Project. Within IHG, Julienne serves on the Global and Americas Diversity & Inclusion Councils. As of 2020, Julienne serves on the AH&LA Foundation Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Advisory and Planning Committees for the Hunter Hotel Conference, The Americas Lodging Investment Summit, and AHLA's ForWard. Julienne has been on the Board of Kaleidoscope Inc., a non-profit child welfare agency that serves Chicago children and families impacted by abuse and neglect, since 2018. Julienne is an avid reader, Yoga enthusiast, traveler and adventurer. A native of New Jersey, she currently resides in the city of Atlanta with her husband, two children and two dogs.