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John Palabiyik - Candidate for Vice President
PLATFORM STATEMENT
I have been actively engaged with NENA since 2012 and a formal member since 2018, participating in conferences, events, and collaborative initiatives that reflect the organization’s strong spirit of volunteerism and commitment to advancing hospitality and tourism education. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand both the impressive work NENA accomplishes with limited resources and the ongoing challenges it faces as our industry continues to evolve.
I am seeking the Vice President role because my professional journey uniquely bridges industry operations and academia. My background in hospitality operations, combined with my academic leadership and scholarship, positions me to help strengthen the connection between industry practice and educational mission, a gap that originally motivated my own transition from industry to academia.
My vision for NENA is threefold. First, to reinforce NENA’s role as a bridge between industry and academia by creating more meaningful engagement, relevance, and dialogue. Second, to help redefine and re-elevate hospitality for the next generation of students and their families, addressing declining interest and restoring the industry’s professional identity and respect. Third, to help position NENA for the future by thoughtfully integrating emerging trends, including AI and technological innovation, into our events, programming, and strategic direction.
I believe that with purposeful leadership, collaborative energy, and a forward-looking mindset, NENA can build on its strong foundation and move confidently into its next chapter. I am eager to contribute my experience, vision, and passion to support that growth.
Jane Boyland - Candidate for Director of Conferences & Events
PLATFORM STATEMENT
I am honored to run for the Director of Conferences & Events for NENA CHRIE. As Associate Dean of the College of Hospitality & Business, I have experience planning and organizing academic and industry events, managing budgets, and coordinating teams to deliver meaningful experiences.
NENA CHRIE has been an important part of my professional journey as a hospitality educator and has provided me with opportunities to learn, connect, and grow alongside dedicated colleagues.
If elected, I will focus on:
- Organizing conferences that are well-planned, inclusive, and aligned with NENA’s mission.
- Managing budgets responsibly and transparently.
- Creating spaces for members to share ideas and strengthen our community.
I look forward to giving back to an organization that has given so much to me and working together to make our events impactful and inspiring.
Michael J. Tews, Jr. - Candidate for Director of Education
PLATFORM STATEMENT
I am running for Director of Education for the NENA Federation after serving in this role since
this past summer. During that time, I have seen firsthand the strength of NENA’s educational
community—and the opportunity we have to push our educational mission forward in more
focused, intentional, and forward-thinking ways. If we want better learning outcomes, we have to design better learning moments.
This belief sits at the center of how I approach teaching, professional development, and educational
leadership. The most important challenges facing hospitality and tourism education today are not
just about what we teach, but how we teach. Our students are navigating increasing complexity—
emotionally, technologically, and professionally—and our educational programming must be
designed to meet that reality.
My background as a hospitality educator and researcher has consistently focused on teaching and
learning in applied, professional contexts. I have worked at the intersection of pedagogy, faculty
development, and industry relevance—designing learning experiences, facilitating professional
development, and helping educators translate ideas into classroom practice. Serving as Director of
Education since the summer has allowed me to bring that focus directly into NENA’s programming,
including the Rise & Grind series.
Looking ahead, my vision is for NENA education to be known for being intentionally designed,
pedagogically grounded, and future-oriented. Programs like Rise & Grind should do more than
cover timely topics; they should model effective learning. Sessions on student wellness, purposeful
fun and play, assessment, and AI matter not because they are trending, but because they challenge us to rethink the conditions under which learning actually happens—and how we prepare students for work that is deeply human as well as increasingly technological. I also see the Director of Education as playing a critical role in shaping the educational experience of the annual Spring Conference. My goal is for conference programming to feel cohesive and purposeful, with a clear through-line connecting research, teaching practice, and industry insight—while creating space for meaningful dialogue, experimentation, and shared learning across career stages.
I approach this role not as an administrator, but as a curator and catalyst—someone who helps
surface strong ideas, supports presenters, and shapes an educational agenda that reflects both rigor
and creativity. I believe NENA can be a leading voice not just in hospitality education, but in how
professional education evolves more broadly.
Laurie Wu - Candidate for Treasurer
PLATFORM STATEMENT
I am honored to be nominated for the role of Treasurer for the NENA-CHRIE Federation. Having been an active member of ICHRIE and NENA, I am deeply committed to supporting the Federation’s mission.
My goal as Treasurer is to support NENA through clear financial governance, thoughtful budgeting, and open communication, allowing the Federation to invest confidently in its members, student support initiatives, and signature programs. I am particularly committed to strengthening financial clarity and continuity so that NENA’s leadership and members can focus on advancing hospitality and tourism education across our region.
I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board, serving on key committees, and supporting initiatives such as the Promise Award Scholarships, with the shared aim of sustaining a strong, transparent, and future-oriented Federation.