Hyatt has announced the appointment of Julienne Smith as head of Americas growth, where she will lead the company’s brand portfolio expansion across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Smith brings more than two decades of hospitality experience in driving growth through strategic development, owner relationships and brand expansion. In her new role, she will advance Hyatt’s brand growth across its Luxury, Lifestyle, Classics and Essentials brands, deepen relationships with owners and developers and accelerate the company’s long-term growth strategy.
“Julienne is a highly respected industry leader with deep expertise and a proven ability to deliver results,” said Mark Hoplamazian, chairman, president & CEO of Hyatt. “Her experience across development, brand strategy and owner engagement positions her exceptionally well to drive Hyatt’s next phase of growth in the Americas. She leads with a strong sense of care that embodies Hyatt’s purpose—supporting colleagues and fostering trusted relationships with owners. We are delighted to welcome her back to Hyatt.”
Smith most recently served as chief development officer for the Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she led development strategy and execution across a broad portfolio of brands.
“I’m excited to rejoin Hyatt at such a pivotal moment,” said Smith. “Our approach is insights-led and brand-focused, growing our Luxury, Lifestyle and Classics brand portfolios where we see strong demand and scaling our Essentials brands to unlock new markets, all while delivering strong returns for our owners.”
Earlier in her career, Smith spent nearly 14 years with Hyatt, most recently as SVP of development and owner relations, where she helped expand Hyatt’s select service portfolio and built strong relationships with owners across the United States and Canada. She is actively involved in the hospitality and real estate communities and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Boston University’s School of Hospitality.
Smith’s appointment strengthens Hyatt’s focus on intentional growth as a key driver of long-term value creation, including brand expansion into new markets and increased brand presence across segments. Her role complements the recent creation of Hyatt’s Global Growth Strategy & Operations team, designed to drive alignment and faster, more effective execution across Hyatt’s global development organization.