Executive moves: Auberge, Choice, Peregrine, Wyndham

Here is a compilation of the most important executive moves of the past week in the hotel investment world, alphabetically (by company):

Auberge names CCO. Bethesda, Maryland-based Auberge Collection has appointed Jessica Martino Enan as chief commercial officer. In this new role, she will lead the company’s global commercial organization, spearheading strategy across marketing, sales, revenue management, digital and distribution. She brings more than two decades of experience building and transforming luxury brands and most recently served as executive vice president/global chief digital and client service officer at Gucci. Previously, she held senior leadership roles with Louis Vuitton, LVMH and Vogue.

Auro names EVP. Jay Burnett has rejoined Greenville, South Carolina-based Auro Hotels as executive vice president, investments and development. Burnett brings nearly 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having begun his career at the front desk of a Hampton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia. In his new role with Auro Hotels, he will lead the company’s real estate team, overseeing hotel and land acquisitions, project execution, feasibility, due diligence, asset management and divestitures. Before joining Auro, he served as chief investment officer at GF Hotels & Resorts and previously held a hotel asset management role with AMC Delancey Group. Earlier in his career, he spent six years at Marriott International in various corporate roles.

Choice names new VP. Choice Hotels International has appointed Kaaren Hamilton as vice president of global sales. She brings more than two decades of experience in hospitality sales, B2B marketing, and enterprise relationship management, having held senior leadership roles at Hyatt Hotels, Sonesta International Hotels, and Radisson Hotel Group (formerly Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group), where she led global sales teams. Most recently, she served as assistant vice president of commercial at Hyatt, overseeing the commercial performance of the franchise division.

JLL India names new exec. JLL has appointed Gaurav Sharma as head of hotels and hospitality group for India and senior director, hotel capital markets, Asia. Sharma will lead the company’s hospitality practice across the Indian market and will be based in Delhi. He brings nearly 20 years of distinguished experience in real estate and hospitality investment, and most recently served as vice president - real estate, head asset management and M&A at The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. He also worked at SAMHI Hotels Ltd.

Peregrine names new CCO. Denver-based Peregrine Hospitality has named Kristen Richter as chief commercial officer. Richter joins Peregrine Hospitality from Accor, where she served as chief commercial officer for the Fairmont and Raffles brands, overseeing commercial strategy across sales, revenue, digital, loyalty, and distribution. Her career also includes senior roles at Sonder, Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Stonebridge names VP. Christian Chen has joined Denver-based Stonebridge as vice president of feasibility. In this role, Chen will lead the firm’s feasibility and underwriting initiatives, providing analytical and strategic insights to support Stonebridge’s continued growth across its portfolio. Chen brings over a decade of hospitality, real estate, and financial analysis experience to Stonebridge, having most recently served as vice president of feasibility and underwriting at Remington Hospitality. During his tenure, he led a team responsible for underwriting hotel acquisitions, refinances, and capital investment projects, while collaborating across departments to align financial strategy with operational execution. Previously, Chen held senior roles at Aimbridge Hospitality.

Wyndham CFO leaving. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts CFO and head of Strategy Michele Allen is departing the company to pursue a new career opportunity outside of the hotel industry. Kurt Albert, currently treasurer and head of Financial Partnerships & Planning, has been appointed Interim CFO, effective immediately. Allen will serve in an advisory role at Wyndham through the end of 2025. In conjunction with this announcement, Wyndham reaffirmed its full-year 2025 outlook provided in its third-quarter 2025 earnings materials.