Filipa Rodrigues
Assistant Professor Adjunct at NOVA School of Business & Economics

Filipa holds a PhD in Management from Nova SBE, specialised in HRM. Her thesis received an award for the “best dissertation in the PhD in Management in the academic year of  2019/2020”. Filipa is currently the Head of Human Capital at Eurogroup Consulting. She has been working for more than 20 years as a management consultant, advising national and multinational boards. Additionally, she is the lecturer in People Management and in Performance Management. Her research in ageing and well-being at work has been published in top scientific journals.

Filipa holds a PhD in Management from Nova SBE, specialised in HRM. Her thesis received an award for the “best dissertation in the PhD in Management in the academic year of  2019/2020”. Filipa is currently the Head of Human Capital at Eurogroup Consulting. She has been working for more than 20 years as a management consultant, advising national and multinational boards. Additionally, she is the lecturer in People Management and in Performance Management. Her research in ageing and well-being at work has been published in top scientific journals.

Milton de Sousa
Associate Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics

Associate Professor at Nova SBE and Academic Director of System Change Lab at the Leadership for Impact Knowledge Centre, which he co-founded. Specialist in Leadership and Innovation. PhD in Management from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and an MBA with Distinction from the University of Bradford. Degree in Engineering from the University of Porto. Before joining the University, he worked as an engineer, manager, consultant and entrepreneur. He was also Executive Director of MBAs at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and Chair of three editions of the Estoril Conferences.

Anabela Figueiredo
Chair MindAlliance Portugal at MindForward Alliance

M.Sc. and B-Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics; Renowned specialist in strategy, innovation and creativity and a born communicator. Frequently asked to be an inspirational speaker; Visiting Professor at Nova SBE and Professor at Nova SBE Executive Education; Previously CEO of Nova SBE Executive Education in Portugal and Angola Business School; Worked for several multinationals as a Senior Director in Belgium, England and Portugal; Solid experience as a business consultant supporting strategy and innovation development for more than 15 years.

Nadim Habib
Faculty Member at NOVA School of Business & Economics

M.Sc. and B-Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics; Renowned specialist in strategy, innovation and creativity and a born communicator. Frequently asked to be an inspirational speaker; Visiting Professor at Nova SBE and Professor at Nova SBE Executive Education; Previously CEO of Nova SBE Executive Education in Portugal and Angola Business School; Worked for several multinationals as a Senior Director in Belgium, England and Portugal; Solid experience as a business consultant supporting strategy and innovation development for more than 15 years.

Christelle Pitrel
Head of Operations & Asset Management Portugal at GCP Hospitality

Christelle Pitrel is a seasoned hospitality professional with 20 years of experience in the industry, including significant international exposure. She worked for Sofitel in Paris, Algiers, and Los Angeles, contributing to brand transformation from headquarters to operations. As Regional Director of Operations for the management company Indevho, she successfully built a brand and contributed to turn around the company culture. With a robust background in brand development and cultural integration, she has led successful initiatives across diverse hospitality settings. Additionally, Christelle is a certified coach passionate about inspiring others through her energetic approach to sharing knowledge and fostering growth.

Anant Vithlani
Vice President Sales at Strawberry (Formerly Nordic Choice Hotels) and Member of the HSMAI Europe Sales Advisory Board

Anant has a MBA in Business Administration and Management from Stockholm School of Economics and he boasts a long and varied career in sales, including printer toner sales, marketing services, health care products, banking and finance, prior to his first Nordic Choice Hotels commitment as Director of Sales at Stockholm’s Clarion Hotel Sign eleven years ago, after which he has remained in the hotel group, with the exception of a two-year break, which included serving same hotel group now called Strawberry.

Kostas Ioannidis
Sales Director | Global Sales – Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts and Chair of the HSMAI Europe Sales Advisory Board

Kostas is an experienced hospitality professional with over 25 years of industry expertise. Currently serving as Sales Director, Global Sales Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts. He is also the Chair of the HSMAI Europe Sales Advisory Board. He is recognised for his exceptional leadership and strategic vision. Kostas excels in team calibration, strategic account management, and innovative sales practices across various market segments, including luxury. He has significant expertise in hotel openings and conversions, as well as well versed in wider commercial disciplines within hospitality including brand management, marketing and revenue. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kostas is also a passionate artist, sharing his original artwork on his popular blog with over 6,000 followers. His unique blend of professional expertise and creative pursuits brings a fresh perspective to the hospitality industry.

Thibault Catala
CRME, CHIA | Founder & CEO at Catala Consulting

Thibault is a leading expert in revenue management, renowned for enhancing both branded and unbranded hotel portfolios. He has held key roles at IHG and Four Seasons, developing deep industry insights. As the founder and managing director of Catala Consulting in London, Thibault leverages his extensive background to assist hospitality businesses of all sizes, and he is also a visiting lecturer at Glion Institute of Higher Education. Over the past decade, he has helped over 400 hotels, including independent ones, optimize their revenue performance. Thibault’s mission is to help small hoteliers achieve the same success as industry giants by democratizing revenue management. Through his consultancy, he has collaborated with asset management firms, family offices, and renowned hotels like The Sacher, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cedar Capital Partners, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs, driving their success and maximizing asset value.

Gil Mulders
Founder at The Talent Network & Member of the HSMAI Europe People & Culture Advisory Board

A visionary architect in business known for solving complex problems, building exceptional teams, and delivering outstanding service. Renowned for talent development, Gil created IHG’s global graduate program, established a successful training department for 55,000+ employees in Europe, and devised a digital transformation plan. Collaborating globally, Gil empowered General Managers to become Brand Managers, inspiring teams to new heights. With 8 years of Training & Development experience, Gil engages with operational leaders and uses Neuro-Linguistic Programming to help others conquer fears and nurture self-confidence.

Michael Nowlis
Programme director, MBA Programmes at Imperial College Business School and the Chair of the HSMAI Europe Board of Directors

Michael Nowlis is an industry executive and academic leader who has held senior enterprise positions in Europe and North America.  Michael currently serves as Director of MBA programs at Imperial College in London.  He previously held Dean and Director positions at Cornell University, ESSEC, University of Cambridge, Stevens Institute of Technology and Johnson & Wales University.  He started his career in the luxury sector, holding management positions at Le Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne and The Waldorf Astoria in New York before assuming corporate responsibilities.  He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for HSMAI Europe.