HSMAI Foundation Announces 2025 Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant Recipients

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Foundation is proud to announce Reem Alaqili, Juliette van der Ham, Margaret Thompson, and Libby Warden as the recipients of the 2025 Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant. This prestigious program supports the development opportunities available to hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy. The grant provides aspiring professionals with financial support, access to industry thought leadership, and a dedicated mentorship experience with a seasoned executive.

Reem Alaqili is a fourth-year international student studying hospitality management at The Pennsylvania State University. She serves as president of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) and as secretary of Penn State’s HSMAI Collegiate Chapter, where she first stepped into leadership as public relations chair. Reem has completed two internships with Marriott Vacations Worldwide, gaining front desk experience while shadowing sales operations and strengthening her expertise in guest service and sales. Passionate about hospitality sales and marketing, she has actively pursued leadership, service, and professional development opportunities to grow her skills. She aspires to build a career in hospitality sales and marketing, bringing an international perspective and a strong drive for success to the industry.

Margaret Thompson recently graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration, concentrating in event management and marketing. She will begin pursuing a master’s degree in global hospitality management at New York University this fall. During her undergraduate career, Margaret built a strong foundation in event planning, marketing strategy, and hospitality leadership, which she now looks forward to expanding through graduate study. A dedicated member of HSMAI, she is eager to continue her involvement with the organization and to build a successful career in hospitality leadership.

Juliette van der Ham is a fourth-year student at Hotel Management School Maastricht, currently completing her final internship in asset management at Wasl Hospitality in Dubai. Her first internship took her to The Reykjavik Edition in Iceland, where she gained hands-on operational experience as a housekeeping supervisor. Juliette pursued a minor in strategic revenue and real estate management and completed a consultancy project focused on acquisition and development for a white-label operator. She has earned WSET and STR certifications and participated in the Excellence Program, later serving as external coordinator for multiple editions. In 2024, she joined the HSMAI Europe Student Council and was honored to serve as chair before relocating. She also competed in the Young Hospitality Summit, a global platform that encourages innovation. Passionate about the strategic side of hospitality, Juliette is dedicated to initiatives that foster collaboration, growth, and lifelong learning as she prepares to begin her career.

Libby Worden, from Toronto, Canada, is a fourth-year hospitality and tourism management student at Toronto Metropolitan University and co-president of the Ted Rogers Sales Club. She recently completed an internship with HVS in Montreal, where she gained hands-on experience in hotel consulting and valuation. Libby has also worked in hotels across Canada and led her sales team to international recognition, including becoming the first Canadian team to win Overall University Champion at the International Collegiate Sales Competition in Florida. Passionate about hospitality, sales, and hotel real estate, she is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry while pursuing a career in the field.

The competition for the Student Career Success Grant considers academic achievement, industry experience, and a written statement outlining career aspirations. Submissions are reviewed by the HSMAI Foundation Board of Directors.

“This year’s grant recipients truly exemplify the curiosity, dedication, and leadership that define the next generation of hospitality professionals,” said Lori Kiel, CHDM, Chair of the HSMAI Foundation and Senior Vice President of Revenue Management at Pyramid Global Hospitality. “We are proud to provide them with resources, mentorship, and connections that will help shape their careers and, ultimately, the future of hospitality leadership.”

Named in honor of Mike Dimond, one of the hospitality industry’s most respected marketing executives, the grant was created by his family to expand and enhance the development opportunities available to hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy. Dimond was widely regarded as one of the nation’s top hotel marketing leaders, serving in senior roles 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 was recognized as one of “The 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel.”

To learn more on the HSMAI Foundation and its programs, visit www.hsmaifoundation.org.