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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McLean, VA (July 6, 2023) – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Foundation is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant. This prestigious program supports degree-seeking students who plan to pursue careers in hospitality. The 2023 Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant awardees are Eleanor Brillo, Mayu Miyata, and Yana Kyrylyuk.
Eleanor Brillo received her B.S. in Tourism Development and Management from Arizona State University and expects to receive an M.A. in Sustainable Tourism from Arizona State University in 2024. She has developed and executed marketing strategy for Arizona State University Career Professional Development Services, worked as an account manager and digital strategist for Hackett Advertising, Public Relations Interactive, as a marketing and trade specialist for Arizona Office of Tourism/Visit Arizona, and as a guest experience specialist at Courtyard by Marriott. Eleanor is president of ASU’s Tourism Student Association, a board member of ASU’s Sustainability Advocacy and Awareness Board, a committee member of PCMA’s Emerging Leaders Committee, and the marketing director of the Tourism Student Association at ASU. Her ultimate goal is to execute hospitality marketing and branding and contribute to revenue optimization and industry-wide economic empowerment.
Mayu Miyata expects to receive a B.S. in Hospitality Administration with a marketing concentration from Boston University in 2024. She received an Associate in Science degree from Dean College, majoring in business management. She is a vice president of HSMAI’s Student Chapter in Boston. She conducted a digital marketing strategies analysis for the Envoy Hotel Boston’s restaurant, Para Maria, and developed website and SEO marketing recommendations for the restaurant. Mayu has worked as an intern at Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, a front desk agent at InterContinental Boston, and an intern at The Ritz Carlton Kyoto in Japan. Her goal is to be in hospitality sales and bring in guests and businesses from all over the world.
Yana Kyrylyuk expects to receive a Bachelor’s degree from Breda University of Applied Sciences in International Hotel Management in 2024. She spent a semester in an exchange program at Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Florida in 2022. As a member of the Erasmus Student Network at Breda, she has served on the events committee, as treasurer and local representative, and on the Council of Advice. She is chair of HSMAI Europe’s Student Council and helped to start the Ukrainian Fund supported in partnership with HSMAI Americas and HSMAI Europe. Yana has worked at the Hilton Brussels Grand Palace in Group, Conference and Events. Yana is a native of Ukraine and speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish, and French. Her goals lie in hospitality management, strategic thinking and planning in hospitality, organizational behavior, and employee performance and culture. She believes that “driving sales, optimizing revenue and fueling marketing” is achieved through “having the right people at the right time in the right place” on your team.
The competition for the Student Career Success Grant is challenging and considers the overall experience and passion of the applicants. Criteria for applications include industry work experience, submission of a personal essay, professional recommendations, and maintaining a steady grade point average. To determine the awardees, HSMAI Foundation Board Members review and rate the submissions based on a proven interest in a career in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management, or distribution, industry work experience and other submission materials.
The Grant package includes the appointment of a specially selected mentor for one year, application fees for the recipient’s choice of HSMAI Certifications, a one-year Premium subscription to LinkedIn, and complimentary registration and travel honorarium of up to US $1000 to attend the HSMAI Regional Strategy Conference of the recipient’s choice in HSMAI Americas, Europe, Middle East, or Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant page.
“We are delighted to support the bright futures of these talented hospitality students through the esteemed Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant,” states Michelle Woodley, HSMAI Foundation Chair, and President of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “The 2023 program will provide these students with access to resources and events that will enrich their educations with practical tools and experiences.”
Mike Dimond was widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the United States, serving the industry in top positions, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. He is a member of the HSMAI Hall of Fame and honored as one of “The 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel.” This grant was created by his family to expand and enhance the development opportunities available to hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy.
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Media Contact
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About the HSMAI Foundation
The HSMAI Foundation is a 501 c3 organization established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. The Foundation’s mission is to elevate the overall caliber and performance of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals in the global hospitality industry by driving initiatives that will attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent. The work of the Foundation is supported by private donations and corporate talent partners. Visit hsmaifoundation.org for more information.