Smith brings more than two decades of hospitality experience and a strong track record of driving growth through strategic development, owner relationships and brand expansion. In her new role, she will advance Hyatt’s brand growth across its Luxury, Lifestyle, Classics and Essentials brands, deepen relationships with owners and developers, and accelerate the company’s long-term growth strategy. Growth for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection will continue to be led by Javier Águila, President, Inclusive Collection.
“Julienne is a highly respected industry leader with deep expertise and a proven ability to deliver results,” said Mark Hoplamazian, Chairman, President & CEO of Hyatt. “Her experience across development, brand strategy and owner engagement positions her exceptionally well to drive Hyatt’s next phase of growth in the Americas. She leads with a strong sense of care that embodies Hyatt’s purpose – supporting colleagues and fostering trusted relationships with owners. We are delighted to welcome her back to Hyatt.”
“I’m excited to rejoin Hyatt at such a pivotal moment,” said Smith. “Our approach is insights-led and brand-focused, growing our Luxury, Lifestyle and Classics brand portfolios where we see strong demand and scaling our Essentials brands to unlock new markets, all while delivering strong returns for our owners.”
Smith most recently served as Chief Development Officer for the Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she led development strategy and execution across a broad portfolio of brands.
Earlier in her career, Smith spent nearly 14 years with Hyatt, most recently as Senior Vice President of Development and Owner Relations, where she helped expand Hyatt’s select service portfolio and built strong relationships with owners across the United States and Canada.
Smith is actively involved in the hospitality and real estate communities and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for Boston University’s School of Hospitality.
Smith’s appointment further strengthens Hyatt’s focus on intentional growth as a key driver of long-term value creation, including brand expansion into new markets and increased brand presence across segments. This builds on Hyatt’s record 2025 development pipeline, with the company securing its highest number of U.S. signings in five years – up 30% in 2026 year-over-year, and with 50% of deals in new markets for Hyatt. Of Hyatt’s announced pipeline in the U.S., more than 80% are new builds, reflecting strong, sustained confidence from developers.
Her role complements the recent creation of Hyatt’s Global Growth Strategy & Operations team, led by Dan Hansen, designed to drive alignment and faster, more effective execution across Hyatt’s global development organization. This team enables greater clarity, insight and efficiency to Hyatt’s growth efforts worldwide, supporting regional leaders like Smith in unlocking new opportunities and delivering sustained growth.
For more information on developing with Hyatt, visit: https://www.hyatt.com/
