Shaping the Future of Hospitality: Insights from AIHM and DPU

At THAIFEX–HOREC Asia 2025, where innovation meets influence, the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM) and Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) brought a powerful spotlight to the future of leadership in hospitality.

The THAIFEX- HOREC Asia event transcends the ordinary trade show with exciting parallel events, offering a game-changing convergence of transformative experiences, creative innovations, unparalleled networking, and high-value business meetings.  On Wednesday 5 March 2025, the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM) and Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU) took the stage to speak about The Next Generation Leaders in Hospitality.  

The first session was an engaging and insightful fireside chat exploring the impact of women in hospitality and management. This conversation highlighted key topics such as leadership, mentorship, career growth, and the evolving role of women in the industry.  The panelists spoke about breaking barriers to fostering inclusive workplaces, and shared strategies for empowering the next generation of leaders. Tailored for aspiring professionals and seasoned leaders, this session provided valuable perspectives, practical advice, and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals driving change in hospitality leadership.

The second panel explored the vital role that mentorship plays in shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders. Industry experts discussed how mentorship bridges the gap between education and real-world demands, the impact of global networking, and the skills needed for future success. Insights on fostering innovation, building strategic alliances, and empowering young professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry were also explored.

As the host, Samantha Lauver-Marion, the Director of Global Partnerships at AIHM, spoke on two different panels and then brought all the leaders together to invite students from both institutions to share their questions as her mission is to bridge the gap between generations, industries and cultures through internships, careers, executive education and events like THAIFEX- HOREC Asia.

In the first session, Nitika Bhardwaj, the Dean of the International College of Dhurakij Pundit University and shared what inspired her to pursue a leadership role in management and from an academic perspective she shared how education could better prepare students for leadership in management in a global workforce and considered what skills and qualities are essential for students to succeed in management. Alongside Naureen Ahmed, the Founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality, Naureen shared what inspired her to pursue a leadership role in hospitality. She highlighted the role that networking, mentorship and coaching play in advancing women's careers in management.

As an experienced educator and academic leader specializing in Sustainability Education and Project Management, Nitika Bhardwaj is the Dean of the International College at Dhurakij Pundit University. She oversees six bachelor's degree programs in Business, Arts, and Technology, supporting over 600 students and 50 faculty and staff from diverse national and cultural backgrounds. She also manages short-term hospitality programs that welcome international students to Thailand, where they train with the International College before completing hands-on experience at partner hotels. Her expertise lies in designing and managing projects that create meaningful learning experiences while fostering strong connections with students and colleagues.

Committed to equipping future entrepreneurs and leaders with a sustainability mindset, Nitika has over five years of experience in sustainability, particularly in mitigating plastic pollution and waste. She has led student-driven initiatives tackling environmental challenges while providing practical skills and hands-on learning opportunities. Currently, she is spearheading a new project that engages students in educating the next generation on waste reduction and leading cleanup efforts along the Chao Phraya River. She welcomes collaborations to expand the reach and impact of this initiative.

Additionally, she is integrating AI into business and language education to enhance student engagement and adaptability in a rapidly evolving world, and is always open to partnerships that drive impactful and sustainable change.

Founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality, Naureen Ahmed has transformed a podcast featuring 190 interviews with women worldwide into a thriving global online community. With 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she is a multi-cultural and inclusive leader. Having spent her formative years in Asia and later in Europe, Naureen's diverse background shapes her approach. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, she spent 15 years in London, 12 of which were at STR, a benchmarking and data analytics company, and 4 at the Landmark London Hotel. A graduate of EHL Hospitality Business School, she blends operational and corporate expertise in a global setting. Recognising the lack of female visibility and leadership in her field, Naureen is dedicated to achieving gender balance.

Naureen Ahmed attributes her international upbringing to her appreciation for the multicultural environment prevalent in hospitality. Born in Bangkok to Bangladeshi/Swiss parents, she had lived in four countries by the age of ten. After studying hotel management in Switzerland, she began her career at a London hotel, transitioning through various roles before delving into data and benchmarking at STR.

Following over a decade at STR, Naureen took a well-deserved break, during which she refined an idea that had long intrigued her – the underrepresentation of women in senior positions within the industry. What started as a personal project, Inspiring Women in Hospitality, has evolved into a comprehensive platform comprising a podcast, membership, regular events around the world where women can learn from each other and grow their careers together.

In the second session, Atit Koirala, the Director of Strategic Alliance at DPU shared the reason mentorship critical for developing future leaders in management and in the hospitality industry and highlighted how mentorship impacted his own career journey. Joined by James Thurlby, the President of Skal International and Moderator of the session with thoughtful questions.

Atit Koirala is the Director of the Office of Strategic Alliance at Dhurakij Pundit University. He is an experienced Learning & Development Consultant bringing expertise in program design, development, and implementation for educational and corporate learning environments. With a strong background in transnational collaboration and market development of educational products, Atit has successfully led initiatives that expand market reach, foster strategic partnerships, and drive revenue growth. His consulting experience includes working with large organizations to enhance learning and development (L&D) strategies, while his academic background includes teaching courses such as Principles of Export and Import and Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation.

In addition to his academic and consulting work, Atit actively connects with hospitality management students from abroad, mentoring them as they prepare for internships in Thailand. His guidance helps students gain industry insights, develop cross-cultural competencies, and navigate their professional growth in a global setting. An adaptable team player with startup experience, Atit is committed to driving impactful learning initiatives and contributing to organizational success. He is always open to collaboration and new opportunities that leverage education and technology to create meaningful change.

James Thurlby, who was elected President of Skal Bangkok in March 2022, has lived and worked in Thailand since 2018. He is a Regional Sales Manager for Move Ahead Media, managing campaigns for clients across a range of industries including travel and tourism. James’ career history since leaving full time education in the UK has been almost exclusively in marketing and predominantly within the leisure, hotels, tourism sector. Working in countries around Europe, for a number of companies including Thomas Cook group, he firmly established himself in the travel industry. In addition, he has experience in B2C sales and marketing for Haven Holidays and briefly in the motor industry. This 20-year career brings a wealth of knowledge including a keen understanding of consumer purchase decisions and motivations that is acutely attuned to the needs of the Skal membership.

The session concluded as all AIHM events do, with advice for the next generation of leaders and questions directly from them.  In this approach we aim to bridge the gap between generations, industries and cultures to collaborate and network in a new way.  

Nitika Bhardwaj closed the session sharing, "As you grow and progress in life, the path may become lonely and difficult. Never hesitate to ask for help—true strength lies in a leader who knows their limits and seeks support to grow.”

Stay tuned to join us for the next event in 2026.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

As the conversation continues beyond the stage, the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management (AIHM) remains steadfast in its mission to develop future-ready hospitality leaders. Rooted in world-class education, industry partnerships, and a global perspective inspired by our collaboration with Les Roches, AIHM is equipping students with the mindset, skills, and experiences to lead with purpose in an ever-evolving world. This event was not just a dialogue—it was a glimpse into the future of hospitality leadership, and we’re just getting started.