Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Arun Upneja, dean emeritus

Hosted by BU School of Hospitality Administration

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Oct 2026

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About the show

What does it take to lead in one of the world's most dynamic industries? Distinguished brings you unfiltered conversations with the executives, founders, general managers, and investors who are shaping the future of global hospitality. Hosted by Dean Arun Upneja of Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, each episode goes beyond the headlines to tackle the real challenges facing hospitality leaders today from hotel operations and restaurant innovation to talent management, climate action, and the rise of AI and robotics across the industry. Our guests represent every corner of hospitality: luxury hotels, independent restaurants, travel and tourism, entertainment venues, and more. They bring hard-won insight, bold ideas, and the kind of candor you won't find in a boardroom. Whether you're a seasoned hospitality professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Distinguished is your front-row seat to the conversations that matter. Follow Distinguished on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and join a growing community of hospitality leaders who never stop learning.

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48 recent

October 16, 2026Episode 232 min

Chompon “Boong” Boonnak’s Imaginative Take on Thai Food Earns Michelin Recognition and Fuels New Ventures

When the Michelin Guide included Boston for the first time, one of the restaurants it recognized was Mahaniyom , a 35-seat Thai restaurant in Brookline run by Chompon “Boong” Boonnak (BU MET’13) and a team he has known for over a decade. Mahaniyom was built on a specific idea: Thai food in Boston could be more than takeout. Boong envisioned a place where the food was rooted in childhood memories and cocktails were inspired by the flavors of Thailand. That vision earned Mahaniyom a Bib Gourmand and earned Boong the Exceptional Cocktail Award in Michelin's inaugural Boston edition. His second restaurant, Merai , opened in 2024 two minutes away, offering global-inspired food with Thai flavor and a Southeast Asian cocktail program built around a different set of influences. In this conversation with Arun Upneja , Dean Emeritus of SHA, Boong talks about what it means to cook Thai food the right way in a city far from home; why he believes immigrants are the backbone of American hospitality; and how he thinks about building a team that operates like a family without losing the structure a growing business requires. He also reflects on consistency as the discipline behind every award, the role AI is starting to play in his day-to-day operations, and what the next chapter looks like: a cafe in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline, MA, serving Thai coffee beans and pour-over, workshops on Sato fermented rice wine, and a fast-casual concept he hopes to bring to BU. Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

September 23, 2026Episode 126 min

Beyond Table Stakes: Staying Power and Growth of Himmel Hospitality Group, the Award-Winning Steakhouse

For more than four decades, Himmel Hospitality Group has been a standard bearer of Boston's culinary scene. Grill 23 & Bar has earned Best of Boston recognition across four decades since opening in 1983. Harvest has anchored Harvard Square through generations of Cambridge diners. And in spring 2027, the group makes its biggest move in years: Bar 23 and Le Boulevard, two new concepts opening side by side on Fan Pier Boulevard in the Seaport. Jaime Campos , Chief Operating Officer of Himmel Hospitality Group and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, brings nearly three decades of experience across many venerable hospitality companies. In this conversation with Arun Upneja, dean emeritus, he talks about what the COO role actually looks like day to day in a family-owned restaurant group, why local ownership still delivers something national brands cannot, and what it takes to open two large-format restaurants simultaneously in a new neighborhood. He also reflects on Grill 23 at 43 years: what stays on the menu, what gets cut even when it feels sacred, and how a decades-old dirty martini found a new generation of fans through a single TikTok post. He speaks candidly about the discipline behind experiential hospitality, and how Himmel is using AI tools like Claude in the back office without ever putting them in front of a guest. Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

September 9, 2026Episode 1411 min

Spencer Davidson: Why Main Street Is Winning Hotel Transactions in 2026

Wall Street is selling, Main Street is buying, and the space between is where the deals are getting done. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road to the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City . Kaushik Vardharajan, Director of Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Program, spoke with Spencer Davidson , Senior Vice President at Hunter Advisors, a member of the Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Advisory Council , and a proud member of the SHA Class of 2012. Spencer lives inside the transaction market. In this conversation he unpacks the following: Why Wall Street has turned net seller while Main Street keeps buying How to tell a motivated seller from one just testing the waters Where the next great market might be hiding Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

August 26, 2026Episode 1320 min

Daniel Lesser: Hotel Investment, Loan Maturities, and Too Many Brands

Four decades in this business have taught Daniel Lesser to not to fear uncertainty. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to COVID, despite dire warnings, the hospitality industry recovers and comes back stronger every time. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City, with guest host Kaushik Vardharajan , Director of Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Program. Daniel is Co-founder, President, and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors, and one of the most widely quoted voices in lodging investment. In this conversation, he moves from the top line to the bottom line, discussing topics such as: How to find the opportunities in distressed markets Preventing the proliferation of brands from cannibalizing the parent brand Why he stays so bullish on San Francisco and New York Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

August 5, 2026Episode 1218 min

Rod Clough: 2026 Hotel Market Outlook, RevPAR, and AI in Valuation

Every so often an interview is also a reunion. Before he led the Boston University School of Hospitality Real Estate Program, Kaushik Vardharajan spent fifteen years at HVS, the global consulting firm focused exclusively on the hospitality industry. For this interview, Kaushik sits down with Rod Clough , who is now running it across the Americas. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City. Rod Clough, President of the Americas for HVS, built his career over more than three decades. With some of the deepest data in the industry behind him, Rod shares: Why this year's performance has surprised almost everyone Where the opportunities lie well beyond the headlines How to leverage AI while maintaining expert judgment at the heart of a valuation Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

August 3, 2026Episode 1117 min

Chad Sorensen: Hotel Asset Management, Margins, and Guest Experience

Ask Chad Sorensen what wins in 2026 and he will not say growth; he will say execution and margins. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road at the 2026 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum in New York City, with guest host Kaushik Vardharajan , Director of Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Program. Chad is CEO of CHM Warnick, a leading hotel asset management and advisory firm, and vice chair of Boston University School of Hospitality’s Real Estate Advisory Council. Tune in to hear this insider’s perspective on: Using AI to find savings without compromising the guest experience The risks in changing brand and manager at the same time Advice for owners on making strategic capital investments Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

July 1, 2026Episode 1041 min

The Simmer Live at the Summit: Judy Thelen of beli on Taste, Trust, and the Future of Restaurant Discovery

We are proud to share from the BU SHA Hospitality Leadership Summit stage on April 10, 2026, the first LIVE podcast recording of The Simmer podcast. Hosted by Kristen Hawley , founder of Expedite, must-read news source about restaurant technology and the future of hospitality, and Brandon Barton , CEO of Bite, this podcast features Judy Thelen , co-founder and CEO of beli, the super-popular app for social restaurant list-keeping and recommendations. The conversation covers why ubiquitous “Best of” lists are flawed, and that the so-called “best” comes down to personal taste: what’s best for you, with a little help from friends – specifically, the ones with similar preferences. Hosted by Dean Arun Upneja , BU School of Hospitality Administration Featuring the Simmer with Kristen Hawley & Brandon Barton Guest: Judy Thelen , CEO of beli Recorded live at the BU SHA Hospitality Leadership Summit bu.edu/hospitality | shaden@bu.edu Subscribe to The Distinguished wherever you listen to podcasts. Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

June 10, 2026Episode 931 min

Leading With Curiosity: Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and CEO of Collette

What does it take to lead a 100+ year-old travel company into its next chapter without losing the soul that made it legendary? In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja sits down with Jaclyn Leibl-Cote , President and CEO of Collette, a family-owned guided travel brand since 1918. As the first woman to lead the company in its century-long history, Jaclyn has earned her role through experience, starting as a tour guide and growing into leadership across marketing, product, and global strategy. In this conversation, Jaclyn talks about how Collette is thoughtfully integrating AI and data into a deeply human-centered brand. She also shares personal impact moments from her travels, ranging from a village in Peru to a powerful conversation in the Middle East, that have shaped her leadership philosophy. This episode will challenge you to think differently about how legacy and disruption are not opposites, and why curiosity may be the most essential leadership skill of all. Subscribe to Distinguished wherever you listen to podcasts and learn more at bu.edu/hospitality. To join the conversation, email sha@bu.edu. The Distinguished podcast is produced by the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja, Dean Producer: Mara Littman Research: Lan Lu Editing: Isabella Laikin Sound Engineering: Andrew Hallock Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

May 20, 2026Episode 847 min

Jen Ziskin, Executive Director of Mass Restaurant United: Advocating on Wages, Fees, and Workforce So Independent Restaurants Can Thrive

Restaurants are more than places to eat. They are where communities gather, cultures are shared, and everyday moments become lasting memories. But behind every restaurant is a complex reality, rising costs, workforce challenges, and shifting consumer expectations. In this episode of The Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja welcomes Jen Ziskin , Executive Director of Mass Restaurant United and co-owner of La Morra and Punchbowl in Brookline, MA. With a background in education, restaurant ownership, and statewide advocacy, Jen brings a rare perspective on what it takes to sustain independent hospitality. They cover the wage gap between front and back of house, the fight against junk fee legislation, credit card processing fees on tips and taxes, immigration’s role in restaurant culture, real estate challenges, Gen Z dining shifts, tipping fatigue, mental health resources, and the promise and limits of AI in operations. Email us at shadean@bu.edu Learn more about Mass Restaurants United The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja, Dean Producer: Mara Littman, Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Editing: Isabella Laikin Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

May 6, 2026Episode 743 min

Jeff Gates, COO of Columbus Hospitality Group, on Elevating the Art of Service in the Tech Age

What does it take to lead in a changing industry? In this episode of Distinguished, Dean Arun Upneja speaks with Jeff Gates , Chief Operating Officer of the Columbus Hospitality Group (CHG) , about the lessons that his many years in restaurants have taught him about leadership, resilience, and the power of people. From his first job at the dish table to overseeing some of Boston’s most celebrated restaurants, Jeff shares how humility, empathy, and consistency have shaped his philosophy: hospitality is a mirror of what you give, reflecting back at you. Listen to this podcast for an exploration of how leaders can balance technology and human touch, foster purpose-driven teams, and find meaning in everyday service. As the industry adapts to new expectations and tools such as AI, Jeff reminds us that hospitality’s greatest strength has always been, and will always be, its humanity. 🎧 Topics Include: Why every leader should start “from the bottom up” How AI and innovation can support, not replace, hospitality Lessons in mentorship and creating a culture of care The story behind CHG's newest concept, Gary’s Pizza And what makes great hospitality timeless Email us at shadean@bu.edu The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja , Dean Producer: Mara Littman , Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu Marketing: Anne Dawson Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0