Young Leader Award

Tina Yu, Senior Vice President at KSL Capital Partners has been announced the winner of The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) and The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Young Leader Award 2018.

Ms. Yu works in the European office for KSL Capital Partners, based in London. KSL is a private equity firm dedicated to investing in travel and leisure businesses. Since 2005, KSL has raised over $7.5 billion of equity capital commitments. KSL’s investments range across travel and leisure businesses, such as hotels and resorts, clubs, fitness, family entertainment, skiing and resort real estate. 

Ms. Yu joined KSL Capital in August 2011 after working as an investment banking analyst at Citigroup in their Real Estate group. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania where she holds a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate from the Wharton School and a B.A. in International Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. 

Respected CEOs from across the hotel industry reviewed a short list of applications from outstanding candidates before agreeing on the 2018 winner. 

Described as ‘incredibly sharp, detail-oriented and wise beyond her years at a negotiating table’ in her nomination form, on being announced winner of the IHIF and ISHC Young Leader Award, Ms. Yu said; “I am honoured and incredibly humbled to receive this award. I would like to take the opportunity to thank my colleagues at KSL Capital that continue to both inspire and support me in my endeavours. I feel privileged to work in an industry that inspires such a passionate group of individuals and I look forward to joining everyone in Berlin for this year’s IHIF.”

Tess Pearson, Event Director for IHIF said on behalf of Questex; “It is genuinely a joy to work with ISHC on this award. We are all thrilled for Tina who has such a passion for the travel and hospitality industry which translates into hard work, successful outcomes and productive relationships. She is a truly deserving recipient of the Young Leader Award. I hope her career continues to flourish and we look forward to presenting her with the award during IHIF 2018 next month.”

Andrea Belfanti, Executive Director of ISHC commented; “We are looking forward to IHIF and celebrating Tina Yu. ISHC members come from all over the world to attend the conference, and we appreciate the opportunity to partner with IHIF on the Young Leader Award. Tina has had quite the impressive career under the age of 30 and we’re very excited to see the impact she continues to have on the hospitality industry for the next 30 years.”

Presentation of the Young Leader Award took place at 10.30am on Tuesday 6th March during a plenary session at IHIF.