Doctor of Business Administration

“Passion drives me, resilience defines me, and vision guides me – but people are the purpose.”

Master of Business Administration, EHL 

Professional Background:
Alexander Kellermann is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years’ experience in luxury and lifestyle hotels across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has successfully repositioned iconic properties, strengthened brand elevation, and driven sustained financial performance. As General Manager of W Bangkok, he is recognized for combining innovation with a strong people-first leadership style, fostering both engagement and trust. His career reflects a balance of strategic acumen, cultural adaptability, and a passion for creating meaningful experiences.

Research Focus:
Developing a Perceived Value Index for luxury hospitality to understand how specific attributes shape the sense of worth and drive willingness to pay. The research combines consumer behavior, sociology, and brand theory to bridge academic insight with practical applications in service design and pricing.

Personal Motivation:
“I chose the DBA program at EHL & Drucker to integrate Peter Drucker’s human-centric philosophy of management with the realities of leading in today’s complex, global hospitality sector. My motivation lies in advancing leadership models that put people at the center. I see the DBA as an opportunity to challenge assumptions, bridge theory with practice, and create insights that support both academic scholarship and industry transformation.”

Master of Business Administration, EHL

Professional Background:
Shawn Pei Chongtao is the founder and CEO of MinGro Advisory & Consulting, specializing in high-end hotels and the broader service industry. With over 20 years of management experience in tourism and hospitality, he has held senior positions in leading enterprises in China and served as a commercial representative for the California state government in China. Shawn is also a lecturer for several hotel associations and is currently writing two management books.

Personal Motivation:
“I am dedicated to advancing the hospitality industry through education, research, and practical solutions, leveraging my extensive experience and global perspective.”

“Education should not be a gamble with debt, but a bridge to opportunity—one that every student, no matter their background, deserves to cross with clarity and hope.”

Master of Science - MS, Global Supply Chain Management, University of Southern California

Professional Background:
Ahmesh K. Mughal is an entrepreneur and business consultant with over 15 years of experience in business development, supply chain operations, and strategy execution. He leads warehouse operations, global product sourcing, and the growth of a six-figure e-commerce business. Ahmesh has also worked in sales, operations management, and venture capital deal sourcing, and holds a Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management from the University of Southern California.

Research Focus:
Ahmesh’s research explores how university administrative innovation can be strategically reimagined to expand access, reduce cost burdens, and improve career outcomes for students from economically disadvantaged communities. His work examines high school-to-college transitions, financial literacy, flexible degree structures, and partnerships with employers to design more practical, sustainable pathways for underserved students.

Personal Motivation:
“I chose the DBA program at EHL and Drucker to combine my entrepreneurial expertise with academic research in order to make a broader impact. I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute practical, real-world solutions to global business challenges while shaping strategies that empower both organizations and communities.”

EMBA with Distinction, Global Hospitality Management, les Roches 

Professional Background:
Yasser Faisal AlSharif is a Saudi investment executive, board member, and founder of AlSadu Advisory, with over 30 years of leadership experience in investment banking, risk management, and real estate development. He serves on several boards and committees, including Alargan Projects, the Real Estate General Authority Advisory Committee, and others. Previously, Yasser was CEO of Jabal Omar Development Company and held senior roles in leading Saudi financial institutions.

Research Focus:
Building national talent through strategic partnerships in the hospitality and education sectors.

Personal Motivation:
“I am motivated by a commitment to developing Saudi talent and fostering innovation in investment and real estate, leveraging my extensive experience and global perspective.”

“In a world racing toward digitalization, it is the human factor — empathy, creativity, and cultural sensitivity — that will distinguish sustainably successful businesses from those merely chasing efficiency.”

 Master of Business Administration (MBA), International Luxury Brand Management ESSEC Business School

Professional Background:
Based in Paris, Alexander is the Founder of Staartjes Private Office, where he provides investment, advisory, and non-executive board expertise to select companies in the luxury and premium industries. His work centers on driving sustainable growth, innovation, and cultural relevance for businesses operating at the highest levels of the market.

Previously, he spent nearly a decade at Pernod Ricard, most recently as Head of Prestige Ecosystem, where he led a global transformation toward consumer-centric luxury. He pioneered direct-to-consumer platforms, digital engagement strategies, and collectible product innovations.

Earlier in his career, Alexander held leadership roles at Six Senses Resorts & Spas, where he expanded international business development and launched one of the first invitation-only loyalty clubs for ultra-high-net-worth clients in luxury hospitality.

Research Focus:
The effects of human actions on the reputation of fine Burgundy wines, analyzed through the lenses of production, distribution and consumption.

Personal Motivation:
“I am deeply motivated to explore, with academic rigor, how human behavior — from winemaking practices to consumer perception — influences the reputation and value creation of Burgundy’s most respected and recognized wines.

The transversal insights of this research hold strong relevance beyond wine, offering complementarity and broader applicability to other industries.

I believe there is no better place to undertake this work than at two universities globally renowned for their commitment to human-centric research and education.”

MBA of Business Administration, International Hospitality (EHL)

Aradhana Khowala is a global expert and one of the world’s leading voices in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Over the last 24 years she has worked in five continents with more than 85 countries, shaping the global agenda at the intersection of luxury hospitality, wellness and regenerative tourism.

Today, she is the CEO of Aptamind Partners, the go-to strategic consultancy for governments, emerging destinations, and public and private organisations seeking regenerative tourism solutions. Prior to her current role, she was the Managing Director of Tourism at NEOM as well as Chair of the Board of Advisors at Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia for seven years.

Background: An active board member, she currently serves on the Board of Patrizia SE, a publicly listed real estate firm in Germany with €70 billion AUM. She is also Board Member and Chair of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee at Elaf Group (SEDCO) which leads the market in religious tourism and sits on the Board of the Global Wellness Institute in the USA, the world’s foremost authority on the US$6.3 trillion wellness economy. Her prior experience spans Jones Lang LaSalle, where she covered the UK, Benelux and Scandinavian markets; strategy consulting roles across Europe and Asia and operational roles in India’s hospitality sector.

A multi award winner, in 2025, she was named one of the 25 Most Influential in London by Asian Standard. From 2021- 2024, she was one of the most inspirational leaders and 100 most powerful people in tourism. In 2021, she received the Chairman’s Award from the Global Chamber of Commerce (USA) for outstanding peer leadership and was honoured by City Nation Place (UK) as an Inspirational Woman Rethinking Sustainable Tourism. In 2017, she won the 21st Century Icon Award by CNBC and the London School of Economics as an Inspirational Game Changer. And in 2014, Swiss economic magazine Bilan featured her among the 50 Most Influential Next Generation Leaders shaping the future of luxury hospitality.

A sought-after public speaker she speaks at high-profile events across continents to audiences from 100 to 5,000. She has delivered high-impact keynotes at TEDx, has authored 200+ articles across major media and is regularly interviewed on TV. She is also a familiar voice at policy tables from the UN, G20 to the World Economic Forum.

She holds a Professional Doctorate in Tourism Leadership and Sustainability from EIU Paris, is a certified NLP Practitioner, and earned her MBA from École Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland apart from an international board certification from INSEAD

MBA International Management, Operations at Columbia Business School

Professional Background: With over 20 years in the hotel industry, Asad has led sales and commercial teams across Starwood Hotels, Marriott, and Hyatt, beginning his career in financial services with American Express and building inclusive, growth-oriented environments across multiple geographies.

Research Focus: His DBA research interest centres on personality-driven leadership, exploring how different backgrounds and personality traits influence leadership capability and success.

Personal Motivation: He chose the DBA at EHL & Drucker to pursue his long-term goal of entering academia while balancing a full-time executive role and engaging with peers who share similar professional contexts and research interests.

Executive MBA at EDHEC Business School

Professional Background: Clémentine Venck is a hospitality leader with more than 15 years of experience in food, beverage, and service operations, currently serving as Group Managing Director of Cocottes & Co in Luxembourg. She has helped grow Cocottes from a single outlet into a leading ready-to-eat food company while also teaching Food & Beverage Strategy and Sustainability.

Research Focus: Her research explores hospitality as a human-centred system, examining how emotions, leadership behaviours, and organisational culture shape customer and employee experiences. She is especially interested in how hospitality organisations can preserve meaningful human connections while adapting to digital transformation and AI.

Personal Motivation: She chose the EHL–Drucker DBA to deepen her understanding of how leadership, culture, and emotions influence organisational performance through the lens of hospitality. The program’s international and human-centred approach also offers her the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and enrich her thinking through dialogue.

Quote: “People will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote reflects her belief that emotional connection is the true essence of hospitality. - Maya Angelou

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Microbiology, General at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Professional Background: Beth is a 7+ year business consultant and entrepreneur with experience leading strategy, operations, and growth projects for small businesses. Her work includes consulting in marketing, community engagement, fundraising, and revenue optimisation, as well as founding and leading client-focused service ventures.

Research Focus: Her research interests include small business growth strategies, revenue models for service-based startups, and AI- and data-driven decision-making for real estate operations. She is also interested in human-centred leadership in SMEs and using analytics to improve community-oriented social enterprises.

Personal Motivation: She chose the DBA at EHL & Drucker for its human-centred management philosophy and its blend of rigorous doctoral training with practical, industry-relevant research. The cohort model and global perspective will help her scale entrepreneurial ventures while producing research that informs practice.

Quote: “Research that changes practice is the highest form of scholarship.” This reflects her belief in applied research that creates real-world impact.

MSc, Health Science at Maastricht University

Professional Background: Maarten Stienen began his career at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines as a management trainee after completing a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration. Over the years, he held leadership roles in airline operations and HR across the Netherlands and abroad, most recently serving four years as Chief Operating Officer on the Managing Board.

Research Focus: His research examines how the principles that make aviation highly safe and resilient—such as defined roles, repetitive training, and a just culture—can be translated into boardroom contexts. He is particularly interested in strengthening strategic decision-making and organisational resilience in executive environments.

Personal Motivation: He sees the DBA as a unique opportunity to combine extensive executive experience with academic rigour at two institutions he values highly. The Drucker Institute’s human-centric leadership philosophy and EHL’s service-oriented excellence make the program an ideal next step in his professional and intellectual development.

Quote: “Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.” This Peter Drucker quote reflects his perspective on effective leadership.

 EHL Master of Business Administration - MBA, Hospitality Administration/Management

Professional Background: Nicola Mandolini is a hospitality executive with more than 20 years of international experience across hotel operations, development, and asset management. He has held senior roles as both a hotel general manager and a development and asset management director, bringing an owner–operator perspective focused on long-term value, performance, sustainability, and ESG.

Research Focus: His research explores the gap between management theory and the practical adoption of AI in hospitality, especially where technology is introduced in a technology-led rather than human-centred way. He is particularly interested in how leadership capability, organisational readiness, governance, and culture influence the success of AI across the hospitality value chain.

Personal Motivation: He chose the DBA at EHL Hospitality Business School and the Drucker School of Management because the two institutions combine hospitality excellence with a human-centred management philosophy. He sees the program as an opportunity to deepen his leadership capabilities and contribute meaningful research to the fields of hospitality and destination development.

Quote: “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” This reflects his commitment to building a more thoughtful and human-centred future for future generations.

Bachelor of Science , Economics at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Professional Background:

Global business leader with significant experience in organizations, large and small, publicly traded and privately held. Emphasis has been in Operations and P&L Leadership roles where I developed expertise in business rationalization/transformation, technology leadership and revenue growth. I have lead teams driving innovation, factory relocations & globalization. This has required significant change management and organizational alignment work. Results can be measured in terms of share gains, revenue growth & margin expansion.

Research Focus:

Exploring the cultural change leadership required for a successful business turnaround.

Personal Motivation:

The DBA program is the capstone of my lifelong education. It will help prepare me as I transition from full-time, hands-on leadership roles into advisory/board work. I chose CGU as I have been a long admirer of the Claremont College community generally and the Drucker School in particular. It is an adventure that I am very much looking forward to.

 Doctor of Philosophy-PHD (Reading) in Political Science and Public Policy , Smart Sovereignty and Policy Fusion at University of Colombo

I have held leadership roles such as Vice President/Secretary General of the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit and Director of the 18th CoP to CITES, where I led governance processes, complex programme delivery, and investment facilitation. I have organized and supported major international events, including CHOGM, and served as an Education Specialist for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, further strengthening my capabilities in policy coordination, stakeholder engagement, and strategic analysis. My independent research engagements with UNITAR and UN platforms have deepened my understanding of multilateral processes and global sustainable tourism agendas.

I hold a Master of Arts in International Relations (London Metropolitan University, U.K.), a Master’s in Tourism Economics and Hotel Management (University of Colombo), a Master of Public Management (Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and World Affairs (Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute), complemented by professional certifications in training and assessment, marketing, and hospitality management.  

EHL Executive Master of Business Administration - MBA, Hospitality

ASPA International, under current leadership, leverages over 40 years of experience in wellness, hospitality, and business development to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. The company focuses on strategic consultancy, operational excellence, and turnkey project execution, supporting clients in achieving profitable growth through tailored wellness initiatives.

Expertise in design, advisory boards, and budgeting informs the company's approach to crafting wellness-driven environments, including addressing challenges such as seasonality in hospitality. Current efforts are directed towards integrating wellness strategies that align with client goals while contributing to a comprehensive capstone project on seasonal demand management.

Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Business Administration and Management, General at Damascus University

Leading development of a lifestyle-midscale Saudi hotel brand. Overseeing concept creation, feasibility, operator/franchise

negotiations, investment strategy, and organizational scale-up.

Founder & CEO — AFUNDY (2021–2023)

Built a fintech platform enabling SME eCommerce growth. Directed product strategy, technology development, partnerships,

and cross-market expansion.

Strategic Sourcing Director — AMAALA (2019–2021)

Led procurement strategy for multi-billion SAR hospitality and infrastructure packages within a Vision 2030 giga-project.

Senior Manager — EMAAR (2011–2018)

Directed procurement across major hospitality, residential, and mixed-use developments.

Early Career: Madinat Jumeirah • Shobra Hotels • Dubai World • Twenty-Twenty • Schlumberger • Sabbagh Exchange

University of Venda-Bachelor’s Degree-Auditing and Accounting

Professional Background:

Chartered Accoutant CA (SA) by profession, Held Several Senior positons in Banking Industry as Investment Banker

Owner -Managed business in manufacture of Food procession and Furniture

Lead and Managed M & A, Capital Raising, Business valuation, Finance and building businesses

Research Focus:

The power of Human capital to Sustain business growth through the strenght of Capital Market

Personal Motivation:

Learning from other nations and to make a différence to the future génération

Human centered approach to teaching and business approach to the program

Quote:

"Knowledge and competency defines effective leadership"