Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series
Forty-seven years since its inception, the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series serves as one of the perennial benchmarks of the school’s academic program. The class promotes excellence and dedication to success through the teachings of the hospitality industry’s most seasoned leaders and young rising stars.
The Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series has hosted the most influential and accomplished leaders from every segment of the hospitality industry. Speakers share their views about successful management styles, possible career paths, critical industry-related issues, and qualities conducive to successful business leadership. Students have an unparalleled opportunity to learn and to see how hospitality leaders view the current and future status of the industry.
2009 Speakers
2009 Speakers Will Include:
August 28
Michael D. Johnson, Dean & E.M. Statler Professor
School of Hotel Administration
Michael D. Johnson is the sixth dean of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. The School’s mission can be summed up in two words – hospitality leadership. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and industry collaboration, the Hotel School occupies a unique position as the premier institution for educating future leaders in the hospitality industry. Since its founding in 1922, the Hotel School has produced an elite group of corporate leaders and entrepreneurs who take hospitality in new directions around the globe. Prior to taking on the leadership of the Hotel School, Dean Johnson enjoyed a distinguished career at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business where his research and teaching focused on how companies compete in a global service economy. He holds MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
September 11
Steven R. Goldman ‘83, President, Global Real Estate and Development
Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton is the flagship brand of Hilton Hotels Corporation and the most recognized name in the global lodging industry. With an impressive track record and strong experience in real estate, acquisition, finance, development and operations, Steven Goldman was chosen to oversee Hilton’s worldwide owned real estate portfolio in 2008 following the Blackstone Group’s acquisition and privatization of Hilton, and lead Hilton’s global capital investment, design, construction, acquisitions and growth. Prior to Hilton, Mr. Goldman was President and Chief Executive Officer and served on the Board of Directors of Sunstone Hotel Investors, a Real Estate Investment Trust trading on the New York Stock Exchange. At Sunstone, Mr. Goldman was responsible for all facets of the company’s business. Mr. Goldman was also Executive Vice President Acquisitions and Development and Chief Investment Officer of Global Hyatt Corporation, where he lead the global development efforts and was responsible for capital investment for all Hyatt owned real estate worldwide, and Executive Vice President Acquisitions and Development of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where he also led Starwood’s global development. Mr. Goldman was one of the founding partners and served as Trustee of Starwood Lodging Trust, the predecessor entity of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, from 1995 through the mergers of Starwood Lodging Trust, ITT Sheraton and Westin Hotels in 1998. Mr. Goldman was also a partner with Starwood Capital Group, a Connecticut-based private real estate investment firm and has held management positions at the Walt Disney Company and Laventhol and Horwath, a CPA firm specializing in hospitality advisory services. He received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and his MBA concentrating in Finance from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and lives in Chicago with his wife Lesli and daughters Alexandra and Emilia.
September 18
Steven C. Roberts, President & Principal
Michael V. Roberts, Chairman & CEO
The Roberts Companies
City aldermen turned entrepreneurs, brothers Michael and Steven Roberts oversee one of the largest and most diversified business ventures in St. Louis. With $125 million in total revenue last year (a 27.5% increase from 2006), the brothers have defied the economy’s slump – an impressive feat, considering their empire consists largely of real estate holdings. In addition, the Roberts Companies holdings include hotels, television and radio stations, entertainment, publishing, and telecommunications. At last count, they are credited with 76 companies and nearly 1000 employees. Growing up in St. Louis, the Roberts brothers have maintained a strong commitment to their home community by creating thousands of jobs and adding to its quality of life. They approach new real estate and hotel ventures from a standpoint of restoring and redeveloping existing (often historic) structures. They look for properties with pre-existing character and historic relevance, many of which are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Together, Steven and Michael Roberts have been recognized by countless awards and honors. Some highlights include: “The 50 Most Powerful People in St. Louis” by St. Louis Magazine; 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year in the Emerging Category for the Roberts Hotels Group; featured in CNN’s Black in America series and Michael Roberts was honored with a Trumpet Award.
September 25
Paul J. Klaassen, Founder and Chairman of the Board
Sunrise Senior Living
Paul J. Klaassen founded Sunrise Senior Living with his wife, Terry, in 1981 and served as chief executive officer until November 2008. Mr. Klaassen currently serves on the board of directors of The Netherland-American Foundation, the National Investment Center for the senior housing and care industry, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Klaassen also serves on the board of trustees of The Trinity Forum, a leadership academy, and the Advisory Committee for the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard University Medical School. Mr. Klaassen was also the founding chairman of ALFA, the Assisted Living Federation of America.
October 2
Andrew Tisch ‘71, Co-Chairman of the Board and
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Loews Corporation
Loews Corporation is one of the largest diversified holding companies in the United States. Its principal subsidiaries are CNA Financial Corporation; Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.; HighMount Exploration & Production LLC; Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP; and Loews Hotels. In addition to his positions as Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Andrew Tisch is one of the three members of Loews Office the President, serving with his brother, Jim and cousin Jonathan. He has worked at Loews for over 30 years, holding a variety of senior executive position, including Chairman and CEO of Lorillard, Inc., and President of the Bulova Watch Company and Bulova Corporation.
A firm believer in community involvement, Mr. Tisch holds leadership positions and devotes his time to a number of national non-profit organizations, including the City Parks Foundation (Co-Chairman), the Wildlife Conservation Society (Trustee/Secretary), the New York City Police Foundation (Trustee/Executive Committee), The Brookings Institution (Trustee), and The Young Women's Leadership Foundation (Co-Founder). A Cornell University Trustee and member of the Executive Committee, Mr. Tisch holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an MBA from Harvard. Last fall, Cornell accepted a $35 million donation by Mr. Tisch and his wife, Ann, to create the Tisch University Professorships, an endowment that seeks to both preserve and expand the University’s faculty.
October 16
Jonathan Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Board and
Member of the Office of the President, Loews Corporation;
Chairman and CEO, Loews Hotels
Jonathan M. Tisch is Co-Chairman of the Board and a member of the Office of the President of Loews Corporation, one of the largest diversified financial holding companies in the U.S., and is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Loews Hotels.
During his tenure, Mr. Tisch has engineered Loews Hotels’ expansion and emergence as a leading luxury hotel chain by infusing the properties with a widely praised corporate culture placing a high value on partnerships. His leadership philosophy, explored in his best-selling book, The Power of We: Succeeding Through Partnerships, provides a blueprint for achieving enduring success through partnerships that empower employees, satisfy customers, contribute to communities, and improve the bottom line. His best-seller follow-up book, Chocolates on the Pillow Aren’t Enough: Reinventing the Customer Experience, nominated for a Quill Award as one of the five best business books of the year. Mr. Tisch also hosts Beyond the Boardroom, a television series on PlumTV that also has run on CNBC, Fox Business, and PBS where he goes one-on-one with the nation’s leading CEOs revealing their guts, hard work, imagination, and who they are as people.
Mr. Tisch served as the Vice-Chairman of The Welfare to Work Partnership, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Tufts University, where he is also the naming benefactor of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. He is also on the Boards of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Tribeca Film Institute and the Business Council for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition, he is on the Board and is the Treasurer of the 2007 Super Bowl Champions New York Football Giants.
October 23
Dr. Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO
Kraft Foods, Inc.
Dr. Irene Rosenfeld leads the world’s second largest food company with annual revenues of $42 billion. Kraft Foods products are sold in more than 150 countries worldwide and has nine brands that each generate annual revenues of over $1 billion. During her 20 years with Kraft, Dr. Rosenfeld helped the company in their initial public offering, integrate the Nabisco acquisition, and ultimately spin-off from Altria, the parent company. Prior to her current role at Kraft Foods, Dr. Rosenfeld was chairman and chief executive officer of Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, where she led the organization to accelerated growth in better-for-you products and developed a pipeline of health and wellness offerings. She has been named as one of “The Top 50 Women to Watch in 2007” by the Wall Street Journal and one of “The Top 10 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes and Fortune magazines. Dr. Rosenfeld is active in a number of industry and community organizations, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Economic Club of Chicago. As a student at Cornell, she was a player on the women’s varsity basketball team and a member of the Cornell University Chorus. Dr. Rosenfeld received a PhD, MBA, and BA from Cornell; she is a Cornell University Trustee and a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women.
October 30
Sally J. Smith, President and CEO
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar
Bold flavors and Buffalo-NY style chicken wings spun in signature flavors has helped make Buffalo Wild Wings one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the nation. Under Sally Smith's leadership, Buffalo Wild Wings revived its dining experience to help company gross revenues surpass Wall Street's earnings estimates, and the company has grown to over 600 locations in 41 states. Ms. Smith sharpened her business acumen with experience at KPMG Peat Marwick, and with 11 years at the national franchise company Dahlberg Inc. (now Miracle-Ear Inc.), where she rose to become chief financial officer. Ms. Smith has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midwest region and North Dakota Innovator of the year. She was a recipient of the Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain Award in 2003. In addition to serving as a member of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors, Ms. Smith is chairman of the University of North Dakota College of Business and Public Administration Advisory Council, and a member and treasurer of the Minnesota Young Presidents Organization. A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ms. Smith earned a BS degree from the University of North Dakota.
November 6
Roger Blackall ‘89, Director of Hotels and Hospitality Division
Premier Group WLL
Kingdom of Bahrain
Roger Blackall has a wealth of asset management experience and was a natural to join Premier Group, a Bahrain-based private equity fund owned by a group of high-net worth individuals. Prior to joining the Premier Group, Mr. Blackall served as SVP Asset Management for Kingdom Hotels International, which is controlled by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. He has also worked with the Shimizu Asset Management, Inc. where his main responsibility was the asset management of the Four Seasons in Maui. In Palm Beach, Florida, he operated his own company specializing in hotel appraisals, feasibility studies, acquisition due diligence, impact studies and general management advisory and consulting assignments for hotel, restaurant, golf course and other related recreational projects. Mr. Blackall has also held a variety of hospitality industry consulting and operational management positions throughout the United States at Arthur Andersen, Marriott International Corporate Hotel Development, PKF Consulting, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the Walt Disney World Resort Division. Mr. Blackall, a native Ithacan, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
November 13
Frits van Paasschen, President and CEO
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world. Frits van Paasschen joined the company in 2007 and oversees all aspects of operations and performance for Starwood’s more than 900 properties in 100 countries. At 48 years young, Mr. van Paasschen has more than 20 years of experience with consumer-focused, global lifestyle brands and extensive international experience. He was selected to lead the hotel giant as Starwood entered a period of prolific growth – the company will open its 1,000th hotel this year. Starwood also launched its two newest brands, Aloft and Element, during Mr. van Paasschen’s tenure. Prior to joining Starwood, Mr. van Paasschen held executive leadership positions with Coors Brewing Company and Nike, Inc. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.
November 20
Rosalyn Mallet, CEO and President
PhaseNext Hospitality, LLC
PhaseNext Hospitality, a franchise operating company, is led by Rosalyn Mallet, a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry with extensive and diverse experience in enterprise strategy, turn-arounds, transition planning, systems implementation, human capital development and franchise operations. She is recognized for her innovative approaches, financial and organizational development results, the ability to build sustainable talent pipelines and a commitment to impacting her industry and community. In her distinguished 30-year career, Ms. Mallet has held top leadership positions with Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., la Madeline French Bakery, Carlson Companies, Carlson Restaurants, and Applebee’s International. She is a co-founder of American Service Management Resources (People Report), a consulting firm specializing in human resource consulting and recruiting for the hospitality industry. Ms. Mallet has been recognized as a "Motivator of the Year" by the Elliot Group, and has been listed by Nations Restaurant News as one of the "25 Most Powerful Women" and as one of the "Fifty New Players." In addition, she has received many honors throughout her career including a lifetime achievement award from the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute. A renowned philanthropist, Ms. Mallet is a lead director on the board of Share Our Strength. She is the Incoming Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Restaurant Association and will become Chair of the Board in 2012. Ms. Mallet holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Food Service by the National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers.
December 4
Philip Wolf, President and CEO
PhoCusWright Inc.
PhoCusWright Inc. is the travel industry research authority on how travelers, suppliers and intermediaries connect. Philip Wolf first entered the travel commerce arena in 1989 as head of a small agency. After two decades of analyzing, scrutinizing and opining on strategic change and market trends, he is a respected travel industry guru and a sought-after speaker around the world. He is quoted frequently in consumer and trade media including CNN, Business Week, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and was named to Travel Weekly's "Club 33: The Most Influential People in the Travel Industry." Prior to founding PhoCusWright in 1994, Mr. Wolf was president and CEO of Travelmation, a venture-funded software developer and travel booking engine pioneer. Mr. Wolf serves on several company boards and is an adjunct professor at New York University's Graduate Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management.
2008 Speakers Will Include:
August 29
Michael D. Johnson
Dean & E.M. Statler Professor, School of Hotel Administration
Michael D. Johnson is the sixth dean of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. The School’s mission can be summed up in two words – hospitality leadership. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and industry collaboration, the Hotel School occupies a unique position as the premier institution for educating future leaders in the hospitality industry. Since its founding in 1922, the Hotel School has produced an elite group of corporate leaders and entrepreneurs who take hospitality in new directions around the globe. Prior to taking on the leadership of the Hotel School, Dean Johnson enjoyed a distinguished career at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business where his research and teaching focused on how companies compete in a global service economy.
September 5
Donald Thompson
President, McDonald's USA
Don Thompson has the responsibility for strategic direction and overall financial results for McDonald's largest business segment with over 13,700 restaurants. Mr. Thompson began his career with the McDonald’s corporation as an electrical engineer, and has held a variety of key leadership positions within the company, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Division President. He is a well respected leader in the food industry and has spoken to several organizations about McDonald's turnaround leading to strong results and improved customer experience. Mr. Thompson has been recognized for his leadership in the organization and in the community. Among his many accolades, Black Enterprise magazine recently recognized Thompson as Corporate Executive of the Year for 2007, and the Chicago American Diabetes Association recognized him as “Father of the Year.”
September 12
Stephen Brandman '85
Co-Owner, Thompson Hotels
Stephen Brandman is an innovative hotelier who, after working for InterContinental Hotels, set-up 60 Thompson, the catalyst for the launch of Thompson Hotels. Spanning New York City, Los Angeles, Sonoma, and Washington, D.C., Thompson Hotels’ eight luxury properties cater to young sophisticates or “good looking revolutionaries.” The company plans to expand its portfolio to eleven hotels by the end of 2009, including the launch of its first international property in Toronto, Canada, and Seoul, Korea.
September 19
Alan Rosen '91
Co-Owner, Junior's Restaurant
Junior’s has been called the home of the “world’s most fabulous cheesecake” by scores of media, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, “Today,” and “Good Morning America,” not to mention by countless celebrities, entertainers, politicians as well as other notables. But the proof is in the tasting: Junior’s sells over 10 million slices of cheesecake each year. The man behind this extraordinary success is Alan Rosen, the third generation of the Rosen family to lead the venerable brand. After graduating from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in 1991, Alan brought to Junior’s a goal of growing and expanding the business beyond the original Brooklyn location. And grow it he has. Now a co-owner with his brother, Kevin, Alan introduced Junior’s to the heart of New York City and beyond. Junior’s celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2000 with the opening of both a bakery and restaurant in Grand Central Station. In 2006, Junior’s debuted on Broadway, in the heart of Times Square, and, most recently, in 2008 Junior’s upped the ante with a fourth restaurant and coffee bar in the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Today, Alan oversees the restaurants, retail bakeries, and mail order operation. Junior’s serves over 7,000 customers daily and sells approximately 6,000 cheesecakes every week. He is the co-author of two books, including the best-selling Junior’s Cheesecake Cookbook: 50 To-Die-For Recipes for New York-Style Cheesecake (The Taunton Press, 2007).
September 26
Arthur L. Buser '89
President, Sunstone Hotel Investors
Arthur L. Buser has recently been named President of Sunstone Hotel Investors, a Southern California based lodging real estate investment trust (REIT). Sunstone has interests in 45 hotels with over 15,000 rooms under nationally recognized brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Starwood, and Fairmont. Prior to joining Sunstone Hotel Investors, Mr. Buser worked for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Americas for more than a decade, most recently serving as Head of Global Hotel Capital Markets. In addition, Mr. Buser has served as a member of JLLH Americas' board of directors, and as President of Hotel Capital Markets, which closed transactions in excess of $4.5 billion in 2007.
October 3
Kathy George '91
General Manager, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
Kathy George is General Manager of the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, a 604-room luxury four diamond hotel and 147,000 square foot casino, located in Niagara Falls, NY. In her role, Ms. George oversees the daily operation of the property and its 3,000 employees. Opening as the largest hotel in Western New York in 2005, the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel offers a wide array of activities for its guests including top-scale entertainment, a world class spa & salon, multiple dining outlets, and over 4,200 slot machines and 100 gaming tables. Prior to joining Seneca Niagara, Ms. George had a distinguished career at Wyndham International, where she worked in 11 different properties throughout the United States.
October 17
Chiaki Tanuma MPS '80
President & CEO, Green House Co., Ltd.
Chiaki Tanuma is President & CEO of Green House Co., Ltd., a Japanese based company that manages restaurants, hotels, and corporate food service facilities around Asia. The company was founded as a canteen for preparatory course students at Keio University by Mr. Tanuma’s father, Bunzo Tanuma, in 1947. From there, it has become a powerhouse of foodservice and consulting in areas such as design and human resources. Mr. Tanuma began his career with Green House Co., Ltd in 1977, working up through the ranks to become President and CEO in 1993. He is actively involved in a number of organizations including the Japan Foodservice Association, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives. In addition, Mr. Tanuma serves on the Cornell University Council, as the Regional Vice President of the Japan Chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society and as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board.
October 24
G. Reynolds Yates '93
Principal, No Boundaries, Ltd.
Shannon Yates '93
Principal, No Boundaries, Ltd.
G. Reynolds and Shannon Yates are Principals of No Boundaries, Ltd which is a Seattle-based Real Estate Investment and Management Company that owns and operates properties in Seattle and Hawaii. The Assets include the Metropole Building in historic Pioneer Square, several properties in the trendy Belltown and Ballard neighborhoods and the Seattle waterfront and development acreage on the Big Island of Hawaii. As a partner in the Major Property Owners Group, Mr. Yates has contributed greatly towards the South Seattle Downtown Vision – a 15 year, 18 million square foot expansion of high rise buildings in the downtown core. The Yates’ also served as board members for the Pioneer Square Neighborhood Plan – a citywide effort to identify and allocate funds towards improvement, management and marketing projects for the various Seattle neighborhoods. Both are active in the Cornell Hotel Society, where Mr. Yates has served as a Chapter President and Ms. Yates has served as a SHA Class Director.
October 31
Sandy Solmon
Founder, President, & CEO, Sweet Street Desserts
Sandy Solmon established Sweet Street Desserts, North America’s largest manufacturer of frozen gourmet desserts, in 1979. Utilizing four licensed plants spanning the US and Europe, Sweet Street Desserts employs more than 800 people worldwide, services over 750 food distributors in 25 countries, and produces over 5 million portions of desserts each week. The company has won many awards for its ingenuity, product quality, and business success. Ms. Solmon has many personal accolades, most recently being awarded as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business for 2006. Ms. Solmon is a trustee on the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and is a member of the Zenith Group, which helps minority business women gain a larger piece of the purchasing pie.
November 7
Alan J. Kanders '87
Managing Director, Global Commercial Real Estate, Lehman Brothers
As Managing Director for Global Commercial Real Estate, Alan Kanders leads Lehman Brothers’ efforts to provide capital and advisory services to the gaming and lodging industries. Since 1850, Lehman Brothers Holdings has been a pillar in the New York Financial Markets, maintaining powerful leadership positions in private equity, trading, and real estate. An active Hotel School alumnus, Mr. Kanders has participated in the Dean’s Leadership Series. He served on the Board of the Interstate Hotel Corporation, a leading hotel real estate investor, and the nation’s largest independent operator of full and select-service hotels. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers, Mr. Kanders was the Vice President for Development at Wingate Inns, Inc. (1995-1997) and in the same position at Rank Hotels, N.A. (1992-1995).
November 14
David Jerome
Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
As the Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Mr. Jerome is one of the major forces behind IHG’s mission to lead the hospitality industry in environmental innovation, with its guide to sustainable hotel building, siting, and construction. He also oversees IHG’s community investment and local economic development. Prior to joining IHG in 2006, Mr. Jerome led Corporate Affairs for InBev, the world’s largest brewer. He also worked for General Motors in a variety of staff and operational roles, including head of GM Korea and managing GM’s global reputation activity. With over 3800 hotels globally, UK-based IHG owns, operates and manages such brands as Intercontinental Hotels, Holiday Inn and Indigo.
November 21
Drew Nieporent '77
Owner & CEO, Myriad Restaurant Group
Drew Nieporent is a celebrated restaurateur and founder of the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill (NYC), Rubicon (San Francisco) and Nobu in New York and London among others. Before launching Myriad, he worked at New York City’s Maxwell’s Plum, Tavern on the Green, Le Périgord and La Grenouille. An inductee to the James Beard Foundation’s “Who’s Who of Cooking in America,” he has been nominated three times for the Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur award and won its award for Outstanding Service in 1995. Drew is involved with dozens of charities including Citymeals on Wheels, DIFFA, City Harvest Food Council and Share Our Strength. He has appeared on several television shows such as Top Chef, Iron Chef and Good Morning America.
December 5
Elaine Wynn
Director, Wynn Resorts Limited
Elaine Wynn, wife of famed developer Steve Wynn, is a savvy business leader, influential philanthropist and dedicated crusader for children’s welfare. As Director of Wynn Resorts, she has helped guide the company’s expansion from the opening of Wynn Las Vegas in April 2005 and Wynn Macau in September 2006 to the upcoming unveiling of Encore – the new signature resort in the Wynn collection – in early 2009. Her role also includes overseeing the multitude of details that form the “Wynn lifestyle”, including the selection of staff uniforms, luxury shops, and spa amenities, as well as playing a key role in special events and the company’s charitable involvement. Mrs. Wynn is greatly involved in the community. She is the founding chairman of the Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars, which provides thousands of children with high quality educational, recreational, and cultural after-school programs. Mrs. Wynn is also the founding chairman of Communities in Schools of Nevada, and was recently appointed as Chairman of the national board of Communities in Schools, the oldest, most successful stay-in-school organization in America, which provides student services to over 1,250,000 children and their families at 5400 school sites.