Alexander Kellermann
Current Job Title & Organization: General Manager, W Bangkok (Marriott International)
Country of Residence: Thailand
Professional Background:
Alexander Kellermann is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hotels across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has successfully repositioned iconic properties, strengthened brand positioning, and driven sustained financial performance. As General Manager of W Bangkok, he is recognized for combining innovation with a strong people-first leadership style, fostering both engagement and trust. His career reflects a balance of strategic acumen, cultural adaptability, and a passion for creating meaningful experiences.
Research Focus:
Developing a Perceived Value Index for luxury hospitality to understand how specific attributes shape perceptions of worth and drive willingness to pay. The research combines consumer behavior, sociology, and brand theory to bridge academic insight with practical applications in service design and pricing.
Personal Motivation:
I chose the DBA program at EHL & Drucker to integrate Peter Drucker’s human-centric philosophy of management with the realities of leading in today’s complex, global hospitality sector. My motivation lies in advancing leadership models that put people at the center. I see the DBA as an opportunity to challenge assumptions, bridge theory and practice, and create insights that support both academic scholarship and industry transformation.
Quote:
“Passion drives me, resilience defines me, and vision guides me – but people are the purpose.”
Ahmesh K. Mughal
Current Job Title & Organization: CEO & Co-Founder, Haji & Sons LLC
Country of Residence: United States
Professional Background:
Ahmesh K. Mughal is an entrepreneur and business consultant with over 15 years of experience in business development, supply chain operations, and strategy execution. He leads warehouse operations, global product sourcing, and the growth of a six-figure e-commerce business. Ahmesh has also worked in sales, operations management, and venture capital deal sourcing, and he holds a Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management from the University of Southern California.
Research Focus:
Ahmesh’s research explores how university administrative innovation can be strategically reimagined to expand access, reduce cost burdens, and improve career outcomes for students from economically disadvantaged communities. His work examines high school-to-college transitions, financial literacy, flexible degree structures, and partnerships with employers to design more practical and sustainable pathways for underserved students.
Personal Motivation:
Ahmesh chose the DBA program at EHL and Drucker to combine his entrepreneurial expertise with academic research in order to make a broader impact. He is motivated by the opportunity to contribute practical, real-world solutions to global business challenges while shaping strategies that empower both organizations and communities.
Quote:
“Education should not be a gamble with debt, but a bridge to opportunity—one that every student, no matter their background, deserves to cross with clarity and hope.”
Gorvey Henry
Current Job Title & Organization: Banquet and Event Manager, Peter Island Resort
Country of Residence: British Virgin Islands
Professional Background:
Born and raised in the British Virgin Islands, Gorvey Henry is a seasoned hospitality professional known for his commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community development. With over 15 years of international experience across the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe, he has held roles ranging from Executive Chef to Instructor and Consultant. Gorvey led the Culinary and Hospitality School at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and ran the BVI’s first boutique cake studio for a decade. He spent five years in London’s Mayfair hospitality scene before returning home in 2024 to join the opening management team at Peter Island Resort.
Personal Motivation:
Gorvey is driven by a passion for mentorship and community development, aiming to elevate hospitality standards and empower future leaders in the industry.
Yasser Faisal AlSharif
Current Job Title & Organization: Founder, AlSadu Advisory; Board Member
Country of Residence: Saudi Arabia
Professional Background:
Yasser Faisal AlSharif is a Saudi investment executive, board member, and founder of AlSadu Advisory, with over 30 years of leadership experience in investment banking, risk management, and real estate development. He serves on several boards and committees, including Alargan Projects and the Real Estate General Authority Advisory Committee. Previously, Yasser was CEO of Jabal Omar Development Company and held senior roles at leading Saudi financial institutions.
Research Focus:
Building national talent through strategic partnerships in the hospitality and education sectors.
Personal Motivation:
Yasser is motivated by a commitment to developing Saudi talent and fostering innovation in investment and real estate, leveraging his extensive experience and global perspective.
Rudo P. Chikoto
Current Job Title & Organization: Human Resources Business Partner, World Health Organization
Country of Residence: Switzerland
Professional Background:
Rudo holds an MBA from Nottingham Trent University (UK) and has 25 years of international civil service experience with the World Health Organization, specializing in human resources management. She has contributed to policy development, organizational redesign, and HR implementation within the UN and broader development sector. Rudo is passionate about learning new languages and has founded a cooperative in her home country to address housing issues.
Research Focus:
Investigating the relationship between education systems and economic success at the national level, as well as professional career success for individuals.
Personal Motivation:
Rudo’s academic and professional experiences have fostered a strong interest in advancing the sustainable development goals in her home country and across Africa. She is drawn to the Drucker School’s human-centered leadership DBA, which aligns closely with her passion for people development.
Quote:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” (Timothy 1:7)
Shawn Pei Chongtao
Current Job Title & Organization: Founder & CEO, MinGro Advisory & Consulting; Vice President, Sanya Tourism and Hotel Industry Association
Country of Residence: China
Professional Background:
Shawn Pei Chongtao is the Founder and CEO of MinGro Advisory & Consulting, specializing in high-end hotels and the broader service industry. With over 20 years of management experience in tourism and hospitality, he has held senior positions at leading enterprises in China and served as a commercial representative for the State of California in China. Shawn is also a lecturer for several hotel associations and is currently writing two management books.
Personal Motivation:
Shawn is dedicated to advancing the hospitality industry through education, research, and practical solutions, leveraging his extensive experience and global perspective.
Alexander R. Staartjes
Current Job Title & Organization: Founder, Staartjes Private Office
Country of Residence: France
Professional Background:
Based in Paris, Alexander is the Founder of Staartjes Private Office, where he provides investment, advisory, and non-executive board expertise to select companies in the luxury and premium industries. His work centers on driving sustainable growth, innovation, and cultural relevance for businesses operating at the highest levels of the market.
Previously, he spent nearly a decade at Pernod Ricard, most recently as Head of Prestige Ecosystem, where he led a global transformation toward consumer-centric luxury. He pioneered direct-to-consumer platforms, digital engagement strategies, and collectible product innovations.
Earlier in his career, Alexander held leadership roles at Six Senses Resorts & Spas, where he expanded international business development and launched one of the first invitation-only loyalty clubs for ultra-high-net-worth clients in luxury hospitality.
Research Focus:
The effects of human actions on the reputation of fine Burgundy wines, analyzed through the lenses of production, distribution and consumption.
Personal Motivation:
I am deeply motivated to explore, with academic rigor, how human behavior — from winemaking practices to consumer perception — influences the reputation and value creation of Burgundy’s most respected and recognized wines.
The transversal insights of this research hold strong relevance beyond wine, offering complementarity and broader applicability to other industries.
I believe there is no better place to undertake this work than at two universities globally renowned for their commitment to human-centric research and education.
Quote:
“In a world racing toward digitalization, it is the human factor — empathy, creativity, and cultural sensitivity — that will distinguish sustainably successful businesses from those merely chasing efficiency.”