Hospitality and travel advisory company Horwath HTL has appointed Dorothy Dowling and Melissa Maher as managing directors.
Dorothy Dowling
In her new role, Dowling will support global hospitality industry clients with go-to-market strategies to help grow scale, revenue, and profitability with services ranging from repositioning to commercial business planning and activation.
“Dorothy is an industry icon and brings the wealth of her knowledge and experience to our team,” John Fareed, global chairman, Horwath HTL, said in a statement. “Given her background and vast experience, Dorothy will be a senior advisor at Horwath HTL who will bring her owner focus to enhance our ability to provide clients worldwide with superb expertise.”
Dowling started her career in the hospitality business as a senior consultant with Laventhol and Horwath in Toronto. Dowling most recently spent the last 18 years as chief marketing officer of Best Western, where she directed all marketing and commercial strategies, overseeing the brand’s loyalty program, digital transformation, advertising, public relations, e-commerce and consumer and distribution partnerships as well as hotelier support marketing including regional coop marketing. In her commercial role, she oversaw the global sales organization and supported strategic partnerships with global intermediaries, corporate customers, and digital partners. Dowling has held senior leadership positions with major hospitality industry companies, including Wyndham formerly Cendant, Forte Hotels, Travelodge Canada, Royal Host REIT, and Aramark.
Dowling also is a board member and advisor for several organizations, including DEI Advisors, HSMAI, Stay Boutique, Commit Advertising Agency, and WINiT by GBTA, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for CubeSmart, a real estate investment trust and the third largest owner and operator of self-storage properties across the United States.
Dowling will open a new office for Horwath HTL in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Melissa Maher
In her new role, Melissa Maher will support hoteliers with actionable items to optimize their business offerings.
“Melissa will bring her unique understanding of the technology and data sources our industry uses daily to our team,” Fareed, said. “Her ability to look at all the data and sort through what is truly needed and the best way to interpret the data to enhance overall operations and push profitability will help our clients achieve best in class for their properties and portfolio.”
Maher started her career in the hospitality business as a Sales Manager for the Courtyard by Marriott Las Vegas in Las Vegas. She most recently spent the last 21 years with Expedia Group in various positions, including chief marketing officer & SVP of marketing and industry engagement, SVP of marketing & innovation, chief inclusion officer, SVP global partner group, VP of global strategic accounts & industry relations and regional director of market management. In her time with Expedia, she formed strategic relationships with brand partners, founded the ownership council for hotel owners, and created B2B marketing programs to assist owners in growing their business more scalable way through technology and special initiatives, including promotions, data and insights.
Maher, who will work from the company’s California office, was named one of the 30 Most Influential Women in Hospitality by Hotel Management Magazine and is a board member and advisor for several organizations, including Women in Travel Thrive, Thayer Ventures and StayBoutique.