Work with thought leaders and academic experts in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

Results-oriented and internationally experienced project manager, consultant, and researcher with a passion for leveraging machine learning and advanced statistical techniques to solve intricate challenges in international marketing and consumer behavior. Demonstrated track record of driving strategic initiatives, cultivating cross-border partnerships, and delivering tangible impacts on revenue generation. Highly adaptable to rapidly evolving technologies and market trends. Aiming to apply my expertise to lead transformative projects and elevate organizational success on a global scale. **Research and publication overview** · Authored 36 peer-reviewed journal publications (data analytics, international business, marketing) · Authored and edited 8 business books, published by *Palgrave Macmillan* and *Springer* · Published 5 teaching cases with *SAGE* and *Ivey* · Research impact (Google Scholar): h-index of 17 with 1,000+ citations **Competences in data analysis (selected)** · Supervised: Neural networks, deep learning · Unsupervised: Kohonen self-organizing maps · Frequentist and Bayesian regression analysis · Multilevel (hierarchical) modeling · Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis · fs/QCA \| HLM \| SPSS \| JASP \| Python\, incl\. Keras\, Dalex

I am Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at University of Surrey in the UK. My research is focused on identity and its impact on wellbeing in people’s working lives; impact of multiple social identities on well-being and performance; social identity dynamics in leadership; role of identity in knowledge sharing behaviour; and evidence-based management. My wide variety of experience derived not only from academia but also from industry: voluntary work with non-governmental organisations in Africa and Europe, head of sales and marketing in Asia, business consultant in the UK and project lead in establishing University partnership between University of Surrey and Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, China. I am currently leading and researching a number of impactful and exciting projects, such as religious identity and working for the NHS, identity conflict and complementarity in a wide range of organisations (banking, law, education, business, and healthcare) and leadership in church organisations in the UK and the USA.

Tensie Whelan is the Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, where she is bringing her 25 years of experience working on local, national and international sustainability issues to engage businesses in proactive and innovative mainstreaming of sustainability. Tensie has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics and was a Citi Fellow in Leadership and Ethics at NYU Stern. Her research interests include ESG investing and sustainable business.

Shion Guha is an accomplished scholar and researcher in the field of Information Science and Statistics. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2016, after completing his M.S. in Information Science from the same institution in 2014. Prior to that, he obtained an M.S. in Information Science from the Indian Statistical Institute in 2010. Dr. Guha's research focuses on the intersection of information science and statistics, with a particular interest in data mining and machine learning. He has published numerous articles in top journals and presented his work at international conferences. His research has also been funded by prestigious organizations such as the National Science Foundation. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Guha has also gained valuable teaching experience. He has served as an Assistant Professor at both the University of Toronto and Marquette University, where he taught courses on data mining, information retrieval, and statistical methods. Dr. Guha is highly regarded by his colleagues and students for his expertise, dedication, and passion for his field. He continues to push the boundaries of information science and statistics through his research and teaching, and is a valuable asset to any academic institution.

Dr. Susan Gordon is an Associate Professor in the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Purdue University, where she received her Ph.D. in Hospitality & Tourism Management in August 2014. Dr. Gordon also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University, received May 2006, and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, received May 1996. Prior to her faculty appointment at Purdue University, Dr. Gordon was an Assistant Professor in the College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Dr. Gordon has over ten years of hospitality industry experience. Most recently, she was the Human Resources Manager for an 800-room hotel with Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Boston, MA. Dr. Gordon has also worked for Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL where she was a Labor Manager responsible for the scheduling, payroll, and personnel management processes for a 1900-room resort, the WDW resort call center, and the WDW catering line of business. Prior to that position, she held the positions of Front Desk Manager, Bell Services Manager, and Housekeeping Manager for four different Disney resorts. Dr. Gordon’s research area is primarily human resources and she is particularly interested in employee wellbeing and perceived supervisor support. Dr. Gordon also conducts research in lodging operations. Her work has been published in several hospitality journals including the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Hospitality Administration, Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, Tourism Analysis, and the Journal of Foodservice Business Research.

Professor Vu, a geospatial scientist by training and research, boasts two decades of expertise spanning Eurasia. Following his PhD in 2003, he commenced his journey as a research scientist at the Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Research Center in Kobe, Japan, before transitioning to a postdoctoral role at Chiba University from 2006 to 2007. Throughout his tenure in Japan, he directed his efforts towards leveraging geospatial technologies for disaster mitigation and management. Subsequently, he joined the GEOGrid team at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), delving into research on high-performance computing platforms. His academic journey continued with a teaching stint at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, before assuming roles at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus and later Hoa Sen University in Vietnam, where he ascended to the position of Vice-President. Presently, as a Professor and Dean of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Malaysia, Professor Vu's contributions extend beyond academia. Recognized as a Docent by the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, he holds esteemed memberships in various professional bodies, including the Open Source Geospatial Foundation and IEEE. Additionally, he is honored as a Fellow and council member of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), as well as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr. Tuten specializes in qualitative market research including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and online ethnography. Her adept command of qualitative techniques, including Jobs To Be Done, means-end chaining, buyer journey methods, customer experience, and positioning and message testing, has been a cornerstone of success for some of the world's top technology brands, including Dell Technologies, Adobe, VMWare, HPE, Intuit, and AMD. A master moderator, Dr. Tuten's extensive experience encompasses hundreds of in-depth interviews and focus groups, seamlessly navigating the intricacies of B2B roles and consumer perspectives. Her specialization in qualitative methods is complemented by a nuanced understanding of survey research and modes. In fact, she was among the pioneers in establishing web surveys as the preeminent survey mode, partnering with scientists at the Center for Survey Research and Methodology in Mannheim, Germany to study mode effects and non-response bias in web surveys. Dr. Tuten’s expertise in research methodology and marketing strategy ensures unparalleled success providing transformative insights and strategic guidance for clients navigating a range of challenges and opportunities.

Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Luxury Goods, Counterfeits, Branding, Emotions

Mujde Yuksel is an accomplished academic and marketing professional with extensive education and experience in her field. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which she earned in 2014. She is currently an Associate Professor of Marketing at Suffolk University, where she has been teaching since 2014. Mujde's expertise in marketing has also been recognized internationally. In 2023-2024, she was selected as a Fulbright US Scholar and conducted research at the University of Vaasa in Finland. In addition to her teaching and research, Mujde has also published numerous articles in prestigious academic journals and presented her work at conferences around the world. Overall, Mujde's impressive education and experience make her a highly knowledgeable and skilled marketing professional, with a strong passion in consumer well-being, sports and entertainment consumption and digital consumer experiences. Prior to academia, she was a professional basketball player with a Nike endorsement deal and also worked for the organization of the 2010 FIBA World Championship event for a year. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Merrimack Valley YMCA and is part of the Collective Think Tank, which aims to increase women representation and presence in all aspects of sports and entertainment.

Dr. Frazier is a highly motivated and self-driven researcher with exceptional organizational and time management abilities, allowing him to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks. His analytical and creative thinking, coupled with a discerning eye, enable him to contribute innovative and logical ideas to collaborative teams. In the realm of scientific and engineering expertise, Dr. Frazier excels in areas such as organic synthesis, advanced functional materials, and the fabrication of smart chips, demonstrating a diverse skill set. Beyond his scientific prowess, Dr. Frazier possesses a unique set of skills in music, including sound engineering (manipulating sound waves algorithmically), business and marketing development, and legal expertise in copyright and patent matters, which can seamlessly translate to various engineering roles. Dr. Frazier's extensive work experience spans academia, non-profit organizations, industry, startups, and consulting firms, making him a true hybrid professional with a one-of-a-kind combination of skills. Moreover, Dr. Frazier has a proven track record as a strong leader, with years of experience in guiding and leading teams, earning him multiple recognitions for his exceptional leadership qualities.

General Hari Seldon Jr. (USAF) is a highly decorated military officer with over 18 years of distinguished service in the US Air Force. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Leisure Science in Social and Behavioral Sciences from an accredited university, a Doctor of Sacred Theology in Bible Scriptures from an accredited university, and a Doctor of Humanity from an accredited university. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Fellow of the American Federation of Arts, and a member of the Association of United States Army. General Seldon has served in various leadership roles throughout his career, including as a commander, instructor, and mentor. He has also served as a consultant to the Department of Defense and the US Congress. He is dedicated to serving his country and his community, and is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Ramy Ayoub is a marketing professional, entrepreneur, and digital transformation expert. In 2007, he founded the Red Sea Academy for Tourism & Entertainment Services, which quickly became a trusted provider of entertainment services for over 20 upscale hotel groups in the EMEA region. Throughout his career, Ramy has consistently demonstrated his marketing prowess, managing operations and serving as a marketing consultant for leading branding activation campaigns globally for art & cultural festivals, hotels, and regional companies. He has a proven track record of generating remarkable results and has helped many organizations achieve their business goals through effective marketing strategies. Ramy‘s exceptional skills and marketing acumen have earned him a reputation as a thought leader in the industry. He is passionate about helping businesses adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape and has played a key role in driving digital transformation across various sectors. Ramy possesses a rare mix of strategic marketing acumen with excellent leadership, change management, and business process abilities. He has worked with key stakeholders to maximize external relationships with the government and allies to attract fresh business opportunities. Ramy has demonstrated a track record of developing creative marketing strategies and solutions that enable multiple successes through multi-channel sales-driven and customer-centric activities. He has also maximized profitability through sponsorships, loyalty programs, and partnerships with local and international entities. Ramy Ayoub has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to support effective communication and result-driven revenue growth Throughout his career with Hilton Hotels, IHG, Sun International Hotels & Casinos, Port Ghalib Resort, UNWTO, Porto Marina, Porto El Soukhna, Jaz Hotels Group, Thomas Cook, TUI Group, TEZ Tours, Odeon Tours, Vodafone Group, Zain Telecom, Raya Telecom, FTV, Ministry Of Sound, Red Bull, Heineken, Bitburger Beer, Al Ahram Beverages, OBOUR LAND, Domty and much more…