Speakers

Mark is the founder of the leadership development and research firm, Lead With Purpose, where he took the over $1M in leadership training the Navy poured into him and distilled it down into simple concepts and skills to create leaders at every level of an organization. Over 51,000 leaders have been developed through Lead With Purpose's SHRM-accredited organizational leadership consulting, coaching, courses, and simple systems.

Marc's experience in both the nuclear submariner service and the business world has led him to become one of the foremost experts on Elite Leadership - a needed, relevant, and achievable approach to leadership for this new, disruptive world.

Marc is the best-selling author of Leading With Purpose, a hands-on guide to developing engaged, empowered, and encouraged employees. He is also the host of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, where he tells the stories of leaders in unlikely places and the human spirit that drives us all.

Allen Narcisse is Director, US West at Airbnb, where he leads growth and marketplace expansion across the western United States. Based in Los Angeles, he is focused on strengthening Airbnb’s host and guest ecosystem while driving strategic initiatives that unlock regional supply and demand. Narcisse brings deep experience in building and scaling marketplace businesses. He was the Founder of Gigs, a platform designed to better connect jobseekers with flexible work opportunities, reflecting his long-standing commitment to expanding economic access. Previously, he held senior leadership roles across the mobility and labor marketplace sectors, including leading UberEATS operations in Southern California and overseeing West Coast markets at Lyft. He also served as Chief Operating Officer at Workrise, a leading labor marketplace in the energy industry. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Business School, Narcisse was raised in Iowa and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.

Amber Knight is a strategy and operations executive with deep expertise in vacation rental marketing, technology, and industry growth. She currently leads BookingsCloud, a marketing automation platform helping property managers drive direct bookings and automate marketing. Her leadership experience includes roles at Vacasa and Inhabit, where she led teams through growth, acquisitions, and technology integrations. Amber works closely with property managers and technology partners to develop scalable strategies that align business goals with evolving market conditions. She is passionate about helping managers diversify their booking channels and implement data-driven practices that deliver results. As a speaker, advisor, and advocate, Amber brings a practical, real-world perspective to digital marketing, guest acquisition, and revenue growth strategies. She also serves as Treasurer of the Right to Rent Collaborative. Amber lives in Boise, Idaho, and is committed to advancing the future of the vacation rental industry.

Ashley is the Founder and CEO of Inhaven, a new ecosystem for the vacation rental industry solving the quality and reliability problem. Inhaven’s B2B platform helps professional vacation rental managers set, maintain and promote standards for their properties, driving significant cost savings, efficiencies and increased revenues streams. She has spent her career sourcing products, leading operations and establishing brand standards for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to founding Inhaven, she was the Chief Merchandising Officer at The Company Store, a Home Depot company and head of Global Merchandising Operations at Tiffany & Co. She lives in New York with her husband, 4 young children and dog, Chase.

Beverly Serral is the Founder and CEO of BESTNEST by Beverly Serral, a hospitality-driven vacation rental company on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, that she launched in 2010 after spending years renovating and perfecting her own rental properties to a standard she felt the market was missing. A licensed broker and Certified Luxury Home Specialist, Beverly built BESTNEST on a straightforward premise: every property in the portfolio should be outfitted, cleaned, and maintained to exactly the same meticulous standard, delivering the kind of consistent, elevated experience typically reserved for five-star hotels. What began as a single "fabulously outfitted" rental has grown into a full-service platform spanning luxury vacation rentals, real estate brokerage, and design and renovation services, all unified by the same singular vision for quality. BESTNEST earned a U.S. trademark in 2019, a reflection of the distinct and recognizable standard Beverly has built over more than a decade of hands-on hospitality on the island. Today, she leads a team of dedicated professionals who share her commitment to reliability, comfort, and an unparalleled guest experience from first booking to final checkout.

Jamie Lane is Chief Economist and SVP of Analytics at AirDNA, where he leads the company’s research and data science teams. Jamie specializes in analyzing trends across the global short-term rental industry, translating large-scale data into insights for investors, operators, and hospitality leaders. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and the host of the STR Data Lab podcast, where he interviews leaders shaping the future of short-term rentals. His research and commentary on market performance, investment trends, and pricing strategy have helped establish AirDNA as a leading source of intelligence for the STR industry.

Jason is the CEO and co-owner of Key Data, a leading analytics and benchmarking company for vacation rental data. Before Key Data, Jason co-founded 360 Blue, a vacation rental company in the Florida Panhandle, which Natural Retreats acquired. He also co-founded Glad to Have You, which was acquired by HomeAway in March 2014 and now functions as the mobile platform for the VRBO and the HomeAway platform worldwide. Before diving into vacation rentals, Jason was a luxury real estate developer, the owner/broker of a real estate company, and a software attorney. Jason also co-founded and co-chairs The Sonder Project, an international non-profit with a mission to empower impoverished communities through high-impact, sustainable development. Jason lives in Destin, Florida, and he and his wife Lyn are the proud parents of two daughters.

Jennifer Mucha is the Founder and Owner of Arrived, which she started 22 years ago with just one home. Since then, she has grown the company to nearly 350 properties along the West Coast through a mix of organic growth and acquisitions. Jennifer is passionate about building a business she’s proud of and creating truly memorable vacation rental experiences. She focuses on leading her team with genuine hospitality by caring for every guest, every homeowner, and each other. Her goal is simple: happy guests and happy owners, and she is so very happy that Arrived consistently delivers both.

Jessica Gillingham is the founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a globally recognized strategic public relations firm that sits at the heart of the developing intersection between real estate, protech and hospitality. The firm partners with technology brands that are shaping the future of hospitality. A regular industry speaker, author, and adviser, Jessica is also the host of the Pillow Talk Sessions podcast and author of the industry book, “Tech-Enabled Hospitality - Strategies to Elevate Guest Experience and Operational Efficiencies."

As Co-Founder and CEO of Stakeholders VR Supergroup, I leverage nearly three decades of experience in the Vacation Rental industry to drive innovation and operational excellence across our portfolio of leading brands. Leadership and advisory roles with State organizations such as VisitFlorida, The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and one of 6 appointees of then Governor (now US Senator) Rick Scott to The Gulf Consortium Board.

Matthew Orley is the CEO of Red Cottage, a technology-driven hospitality platform redefining vacation rental management across the Northeast. Through a series of acquisitions and organic growth, he has scaled the business while building a modern, data-driven operating system that powers pricing, distribution, and guest experience. Under his leadership, Red Cottage is at the forefront of innovation in the short-term rental industry.

Rachel Alday is a hospitality entrepreneur and author who co-founded Abode Luxury Rentals in 2008 during the global financial crisis. At a time when many companies were retreating, she and her husband, Rob Alday, chose to build, launching a boutique luxury hospitality brand grounded in transparency, stewardship, and elevated service. Over the past 17+ years, Rachel has grown Abode into a respected multi-market company employing more than 50 people and managing a curated portfolio of luxury homes across premier mountain destinations. Known for its design-forward properties and highly personalized guest experiences, Abode has earned a reputation for blending aspirational luxury with genuine warmth and long-term homeowner partnerships. Drawing from nearly two decades of leadership experience, Rachel writes and speaks on the intersection of hospitality and modern leadership. Her forthcoming book explores how the principles of care, presence, and healthy boundaries can reshape organizational culture and build businesses designed to endure. She lives in Park City with her husband and business partner, Rob, and their three children.

Rachele Hobbs is the CEO and co-owner of Hobbs Realty, a fourth-generation vacation rental company located on the southern coast of North Carolina. In 2025, she received the Vacation Rental Pioneer Award from VRMA and VRMIntel. She created Hobbspitality®, the philosophy guiding how her company serves guests, homeowners, and community, and co-founded Hospitality Heroes, a nonprofit supporting hospitality professionals with disaster preparedness training and resources. She believes strong brands are built by teams who genuinely care about welcoming others.

Serial entrepreneur. Seasoned executive. I co-founded AvantStay to reimagine how people travel and live together — turning group travel into something genuinely extraordinary. We're building a technology-enabled hospitality company that's redefining the category from the ground up. On the side, I angel invest and advise early-stage founders — especially those building in travel, health, AI, and the future of living. I'm always up for conversations about where travel is headed, how AI is reshaping hospitality, what great team-building actually looks like, or the counterintuitive lessons from scaling startups.

Riley Goldman is a highly accomplished real estate investor, developer, and finance expert with a successful track record in the industry. As a co-founder of Beachside VR, a prominent vacation rental company in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Riley's core responsibilities include securing new business, overseeing development projects, and managing the operations of a rapidly growing team. With a portfolio boasting over 75 doors valued at $15 million, Riley brings extensive experience and expertise to drive the continued success and growth of Beachside VR.

Simon Lehmann is one of the world’s leading experts in short-term rentals and vacation rental innovation. He is the Founder and CEO of AJL Atelier, a specialized consultancy supporting operators, platforms, and investors shaping the future of hospitality and STR. A sought-after keynote speaker, moderator, and strategic advisor, Simon is known for bridging highlevel industry vision with deep operational and technological expertise; from market regulation and distribution dynamics to AI-driven transformation across the vacation rental value chain. He previously served as Co-Founder and Chairman of Vacasa Europe, President of PhocusWright, and Board Member of HomeAway, among other leadership roles. Simon has also built and scaled global hospitality businesses, including executive positions at Interhome, Hotelplan Group, and Swissport. Simon is also the host of the podcast STR Global Unlocked, where he interviews founders, CEOs, and global leaders at the forefront of travel, technology, and the evolving short-term rental ecosystem.

Steve Schwab is the heart behind Casago - a company he built on the simple belief that hospitality should feel personal, trustworthy, and rooted in community. A former U.S. Army Ranger, Steve began by helping neighbors care for their vacation homes in Mexico, an act of service that grew into Casago, now one of the industry’s most respected property management and franchise organizations. Today, he is helping lead one of the most significant shifts in the vacation rental space through Casago’s integration of Vacasa properties into its franchise-first model: bringing a locally driven, owner-focused approach to markets across the country. Guided by his “people first" philosophy, Steve continues to champion community-based hospitality, empowering local operators while delivering trusted, high-quality care to homeowners and guests alike.

Tiffany Edwards is the Founder and Owner of Coletta Consulting, where she leads government affairs, compliance strategy, and policy advocacy efforts for clients across the country. She provides regulatory guidance, analyzes legislation, and develops strategic campaigns to help clients navigate the evolving short-term vacation rental (STVR) landscape. With over 20 years of experience in government relations—spanning roles as a lobbyist, campaign strategist, and legislative aide to a former Senate President—Mrs. Edwards also brings deep industry expertise through her family’s vacation rental businesses, as Vice President of Weatherby Consulting, which operate more than 1,200 properties across multiple states. This dual background positions her as a trusted authority in legislative strategy, risk mitigation, and industry advocacy. She has led national grassroots campaigns and political fundraising efforts, including the successful 2024 veto of Florida Senate Bill 280. As a strategic consultant to organizations like the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)and the Florida Professional Vacation Rental Coalition, she has played a key role in advocacy funding growth, helping raise over $1.5 million for VRMA’s Advocacy Fund. She was honored with the 2021 VRMA President’s Award for her leadership during the COVID-19 reopening.

Tim ‘Smitty’ Smith didn't stumble into the vacation rental industry. He came home to it. A Central Florida native since 1989, Smitty spent years escaping to New Smyrna Beach whenever life allowed: early beach walks, sandy floors, sleepy kids after a long day in the water. In 2020, what started as a five-day trip back to Florida ended his New York lease for good. He was done visiting the place he loved. He was ready to build something there. He launched Casago New Smyrna Beach as a locally owned franchise of the national Casago brand and built it steadily to 50 properties, until the market handed him a different kind of opportunity. When Vacasa exited the New Smyrna Beach market, Smitty acquired the inventory. What followed was the real test. In six weeks, he retained every single Vacasa owner, not one defected, crossing 200 properties in the process. Today the portfolio stands at 240 and is growing every day. These weren't warm handoffs. They were skeptical owners inheriting a manager they never chose, in the middle of the biggest consolidation shakeup the STR industry had seen in years. Zero defections wasn't luck. It was a system, a communication strategy, and a relentless commitment to showing owners something real before they had a reason to leave. That playbook is what he's here to share. How you win and keep owners in 2026 isn't about features or fees. It's about showing up differently, communicating faster, and proving your value before the owner ever has to ask. Smitty lives and works in New Smyrna Beach. He's still answering his own phone.

Owner/manager of two vacation rental brands, Branson Family Retreats and Missouri Haus. I’ve purpose-built 4 of my own large properties and rehabbed 2 historical properties, including a 1902 bank building with original vaults where you can legally launder in the Ozarks. Known as the "Queen of Guest Experience" in the vacation rental industry, I consult and share my deep knowledge about guest experience, communications, hospitality operations and advocacy across the globe at conferences, workshops and webinars. I’m also the VRMA Excellence Award winner for the inaugural Community Impact Award in recognition of my mission focus to serve my guests and community through hospitality. And my Branson Family Retreats brand has been awarded Best Vacation Rentals, Best Dog-friendly Lodging, and Best Family Lodging in Branson.

Valerie Gangas is the founder and CEO of Juniper Holiday + Home, a premier vacation rental and property management company established in 2020. Drawing on a lifelong passion for hospitality, rooted in her upbringing helping run her family’s restaurant, Valerie built Juniper to deliver thoughtful, elevated vacation experiences for both homeowners and guests. Today, Juniper operates in Michigan, Indiana, Florida, and Montana, with a focus on beautiful homes, exceptional service, and responsible rental management. Valerie holds a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Religious Studies and Women’s Studies, reflecting her deep interest in personal growth, consciousness, and empowering people to live authentic, fulfilling lives. She is also the author of In Deep Shift and Enlightenment Is Sexy.