James Risoleo, president and chief executive officer of Host Hotels & Resorts, will headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at this year’s The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, presented in partnership with Noble Investment Group and the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University. Host, an S&P 500 company, is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and a luxury and upper-upscale hotel owner.
The Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series, established in honor of Bharat Shah has become a "hallmark" of the conference, according to organizers. This series provides a platform to share the inspiring stories of visionary leaders who have demonstrated faith and perseverance in their pursuit of the American dream. Moderated by Mit Shah, founder and CEO of Noble, the series highlights icons who have profoundly shaped their industries and communities.
“Jim and I have shared a deep bond and friendship throughout my career, during which I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his dynamic vision, unwavering leadership and remarkable generosity,” said Shah. “His ability to propel Host Hotels & Resorts to extraordinary success is a testament to his strategic brilliance and deep expertise. More than that, Jim embodies the very essence of servant leadership, always championing our industry and inspiring those around him to reach new heights.”
Joining Host Hotels & Resorts in 1996, Risoleo became president and CEO in 2017. He has more than 35 years of finance and real estate expertise, including key roles at Interstate Hotels Corp. and Westinghouse Electric Corp.
A graduate of Duquesne University with both a business degree and a juris doctor from its School of Law, Risoleo is a member of the bar for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Beyond his leadership at Host, he actively contributes to the advancement of the industry through his roles with the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Nareit and the U.S. Travel Association’s CEO Roundtable and other influential industry and civic forums.
Previous Bharat Shah Leadership Speakers include the late Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International; Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton; Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; the late Mark Elliott, president of Hodges Ward Elliott; Vince Carter and Grant Hill, world-renowned NBA and NCAA basketball legends, business leaders and philanthropists; Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of SPANX, and Jesse Itzler, New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur; Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; and most recently, Leslie Hale, president and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust.
“Each year, Mit invites us into the living rooms of our country’s most influential leaders, allowing us to witness the personal and professional journeys that have defined them,” said Lee Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. “Jim’s story, his insights and the leadership lessons he has cultivated throughout his remarkable career will leave an indelible impact on our students and conference attendees, inspiring them to carve out their own paths to success.”