ATLANTA — The IHG Owners Association has appointed Nellie Dhanji as the Chair of its Global Board of Directors for 2024. Dhanji currently serves as vice-president of Operations and Legal Counsel for Stanley Park Investments Ltd., based in Calgary. Dhanji’s tenure within the Association spans several years, during which she has made significant contributions to various committees and task forces, including the Digital & Distribution and Loyalty Committees and Emerging Leaders Network.
A native of Calgary, Dhanji pursued her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University before completing her legal education in the U.K. She began her legal career in London before returning to her hometown and subsequently being admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2011. With a background in corporate and real-estate law, Dhanji has since transitioned into managing her family’s real-estate portfolio, primarily consisting of hotels. She currently overseas the asset management, development and operations of her family-owned IHG-branded hotels, in addition to running her own law practice. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association.
In assuming her role as 2024 Chair of the Association, Dhanji expresses her commitment to driving owner profitability while also fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the Association.
“I’m honoured to assume the role of 2024 Chair of the Association, especially as the first woman to take on the role,” says Dhanji. “Together with the Global Board of Directors and the Association’s management team, we aim to support owners while driving a renewed focus on diversity and equity activities, ensuring that all voices within the association and wider hospitality community are represented.”
The 2024 Global Board of Directors includes:
- Nellie Dhanji, Chair – VP of Operations & Legal Counsel, Stanley Park Investments, Ltd.
- Mark Zipperer, Chair Elect & AMER Member at Large – president & CEO, Pride Hospitality, LLC
- Euan McGlashan, Treasurer & AMER Member at Large – co-founder & CEO, Valor Hospitality
- Prakash Maggan, Secretary & AMER Member at Large – principal & CFO, Rainmaker Hospitality
- Navroz Saju, Immediate Past Chair Advisor – founder & principal, Hotel Development & Management Group (HDG) Hotels
- Deepesh Kholwadwala, Past Chair Committee Representative – president & CEO, Sun Capital Hotels
- John Muehlbauer, IHG Owners Association CEO
- Susan Bland, Europe Regional Representative – director, ESG, RBH Hospitality Management
- Vijay Patel, AMER Regional Representative – president, A-1 Hospitality Group
- Rodger Powell, MEAA Regional Representative – managing director, Tourism & Hospitality Services AustralAsia (THSA)
- Juan Carlos Alvarez, AMER Member at Large – CEO, Holiday Inn Buenavista
- Shazma Charania, AMER Member at Large – president, Zainul & Shazma (ZS) Holdings
- Chris Green, AMER Member at Large – president, Remington Hotels
- Sean Lowe, Europe Member at Large – CEO, Atlas Hotels Group
- Asad Malik, AMER Member at Large – president & CEO, Amerilodge Group
- Manish Patel, AMER Member at Large – CEO, MKP Management, Inc.
- David Wespiser, AMER Member at Large – founding partner, Hotel Development Services, LLC
- Jolyon Bulley, IHG Representative – CEO, IHG Americas
