ORLA Launches 6th Year of Leadership Program for Tourism Professionals

Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy to Support and Enrich Hospitality Champions

[Wilsonville, OR] – The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) proudly announces the sixth-year launch of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy (OTLA), developed in partnership with the Oregon Destination Association and Travel Oregon, and led by the industry’s top experts. The annual experiential learning program is targeted to public and private sector tourism professionals who are seeking to polish their leadership and professional skills, continue to grow their career accomplishments, and make positive and lasting contributions to the state’s tourism economy and its success. 

“We’re excited to see the ongoing success of the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy move into its sixth year,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO for the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. “The academy experience is enriching the value of working in the tourism industry for those who participate in the program and it’s an honor for ORLA to be a part of it.” 

The fifth-year class will launch March 5 in Portland and conclude on the Central Coast during Winter of 2025. Participants include representatives from many sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry including destination management organizations, restaurants, chambers of commerce, lodging properties, and travel publications. View a roster for the sixth-year class.

Curriculum, field visits, and hands-on experiences are strategically designed to support and align with the state’s tourism goals and objectives which include four Strategic Imperatives:

• Supporting and Empowering Oregon’s Tourism Industry
• Optimizing the Statewide Economic Impact
• Running Effective Tourism Oriented Organizations and Businesses
• Championing the Value of Tourism

The OTLA experience is designed for professionals currently serving Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industries. Industry professionals who will soon be responsible for similar levels of responsibility are also encouraged to apply for future academy programs.

The strategic imperatives outlined above will serve as the program’s core themes each year. Each theme will receive focus as a part of four multi-day experiential learning programs designed to provide academy participants with comprehensive educational experiences. Each year, approximately 20 participants will immerse themselves in the academy’s professional development curriculum alongside industry experts and facilitators.

For more information on the Oregon Tourism Leadership Academy, visit OregonRLA.org/otla.

Class of 2025

• Sonya Agnello, General Manager, Pelican Brewing
• Amit Amin, VP of Operations/GM, ALKO Hotels
• Zavier Borja, Destination Stewardship Director, Visit Bend
• Sasha Bosco, Regional Programs Manager, Visit Central Oregon
• Michael Cavanaugh, Director of Destination & Industry Affairs, Travel Portland
• Cory Fox, Senior Service Manager, Portland Spirit
• Jenny Geers, Sales & Events, Tetherow Resort
• Heidi Hausler, Custom Publications Editor, Oregon Media
• Lennon Holden, Server, Midnight Morning / Boccelli's Ristorante
• Jon Isaacs, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Portland Metro Chamber
• Ithaca Janzen, Tourism Senior Specialist, Mt. Hood Territory - Clackamas County Tourism
• April Knudsen, Executive Assistant, Destination Stewardship Department, Travel Oregon
• Megan Lafortune, Director of Sales, The Allison Inn & Spa
• Greg Leo, Owner/Partner, The Leo Company, LLC
• Ariel Lessens, Executive Office Manager, Explore Tualatin Valley
• Makenzie Marineau, Government Affairs & Regional Leadership Teams Coordinator, ORLA
• Rose Naigus, Global Sales Coordinator, Travel Oregon
• Brian Saunders, Convention Services Manager, Travel Lane County
• Bobby Stricker, Publisher/Chamber Vice President, Oregon 101 LLC/Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
• Mariah Surat, Coordinator, Community and Industry Programs, Tillamook Coast Visitors Association
• Liz Tate, Regional Director of Sales, Mereté Hotel Management

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The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) is the leading business association for the foodservice and lodging industry in Oregon. A not-for-profit trade organization, ORLA represents approximately 3,000 member units and advocates for over 11,300 foodservice locations and over 2,000 lodging establishments in Oregon.