Sunday, May 17, 2020

This webinar was held at the onset of the Covid pandemic when the impact on businesses across the US and globally were unfolding within an environment of high uncertainty. The hospitality industry in the US was particularly affected by lockdowns which directly led to a precipitous drop in travel never experienced before.

This webinar interviewed two panels of hoteliers on their thoughts related to the effect and future of the industry as a result of the pandemic.

First Panel

Mahmood Khimji

Mahmood Khimji is a founding Principal of Highgate, a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company, and has been involved in all aspects of the firm’s development since its founding in 1988. Mr. Khimji is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the Real Estate Forum, and a member of the Board of Directors of Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. He previously held board positions at MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, Interstate Hotels, and Morgans Hotel Group.

Mahmood is an active philanthropist and supports various initiatives dedicated to the promotion of education, healthcare, the arts and culture. Mahmood serves on the National Committee of Aga Khan Foundation USA and is on the Boards of Aga Khan Museum, the Asia Society and Trinity School. Additionally, Mahmood serves on the Board of Visitors for Columbia Law School. Mahmood attended the University of British Columbia, holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Houston, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Prior to founding Highgate, Mahmood practiced law at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

Moez Mangalji

Moez Mangalji is a Principal of family-owned Westmont Hospitality Group, which owns and operates a diversified portfolio of hotels in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Westmont is also involved in other investments including real estate, steel industry and private equity.

Moez has served as the past Chairman of EPB for Southwestern USA and the Past President of Council for Southwestern USA. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman for Asia Society Texas Center, on the Advisory Board of the Holocaust Museum Houston, as Board Member of Unity National Bank Houston, and member of Immunology Task Force at Houston Methodist Hospital. Moez is also a member of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO Gold), AHLA and AAOHA.

Second Panel with US Owner-Operators

Arzu Molubhoy

Arzu is based in Dallas, Texas, and is the CFO of Atlantic Hotels, an owner and operator of a portfolio of hospitality assets in Texas. Arzu, a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, serves on the Executive Board for Cornell University’s Dean’s Council for Young Alumni, is a member of the Franchise Advisory Council for the Board of Marriott International, and serves as the Chair of the Emerging Leaders Network Board of Directors for the InterContinental Hotels Group. And recently has been appointed to the City of Dallas advisory council for COVID-19 relief.

Shaiza Damji

Shaiza Damji is a Principal and Managing Director of 360° Hotel   Group, headquartered outside of Seattle, Washington. She previously worked as an Associate Attorney at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York.  She is a former chairperson of the Washington Lodging Association and currently serves as President of Marriott International’s TownePlace Suites Franchisee Advisory Council. She is a member of the National Committee of the Aga Khan Foundation USA’s National Committee.  Shaiza holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Yale University and a JD degree from Harvard Law School.