Leadership

Robert A. Smit, CHA

Principal

A strategic, passionate and innovative hospitality industry leader, Robert Smit has held senior leadership positions with Marriott, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels Group. He is experienced in multi-brand, multi-unit operations and finding creative solutions to real world problems. Robert is responsible for guidance, supervision and growth of property operations, revenue management, event management including convention centers, theaters, arenas, sales and marketing, creative food, and beverage concepts of a portfolio of hotels, restaurants, bars, and golf courses while driving quality, improving guest experience, associate satisfaction, total revenue and profitability.

Robert has worked with several global hospitality management companies and complex ownership groups to improve operations and has supervised portfolio of hotels including upscale full service, select service, luxury, branded and independent boutique assets. He worked for Hilton Hotels Corporation in several key management positions including Director of Front Office, Director of Rooms, Operations Analyst, AGM, and GM. Robert has been successful in leveraging technology to improve productivity and guest experience. He has held increasing senior leadership responsibilities including Regional Director, Regional Vice President, Vice President, and President.

As General Manager, Robert was recognized with several brand awards including the Marriott International General Manager Global Leadership Excellence Award, Marriott International Financial Excellence Award, #1 in Guest Satisfaction and Overall Quality in the Greater LA area for three consecutive years, a three-time winner of IHG Quality Excellence Awards, Sunstone Hotels two-time Chairman Circle Award and two-time Service Excellence Award. Stella Award for the Best Convention Center in the Far West and winner of the Smart Stars Award "Best of the Best" from Smart Meetings Magazine.

Robert has been involved in many community, local business and non-profit organizations including Chair, Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau; President, Brentwood Area Chamber of Commerce; Councilmember, Brentwood Community Council; President Elect, Brentwood Rotary.

Robert has been a guest speaker at several local universities on the topics of leadership, creating talent-based organizations, and hospitality management. He engages in the mentoring and development of future hospitality leaders. Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and is an AH&LA Certified Hospitality Administrator.

MARYSOL ARELLANO

Principal 

Marysol Arellano is a passionate humanitarian, medical professional, and consultant with over 15 years of experience helping people build confidence, wellness, and lasting self-worth. With a strong foundation in the medical field and a deep commitment to empowering others, Marysol has dedicated her life to transforming lives from the inside out.

Throughout her career as a consultant in wellness and aesthetics, Marysol has seen how self-esteem and healing go hand in hand. Her work has always focused on helping individuals rediscover their strength and rebuild their foundation with dignity, pride, and purpose. With Fuerza Foundation, she is now extending that mission to families affected by deportation, systemic injustice, and socioeconomic hardship, offering resources, advocacy, and support that go beyond quick fixes and aim for lifelong impact. Marysol believes that real change begins when communities unite with compassion and intention. Through Fuerza Foundation, she is breaking generational cycles and building pathways to resilience, so that children and families can grow in mind, heart, and soul with the wealth of knowledge and self-love to carry them forward.

As the founder of Fuerza Foundation, Marysol draws inspiration from her rich cultural heritage and upbringing in a traditional Mexican household. She is the proud daughter of José María “Chema” Arellano, a distinguished mariachi musician who performed guitarrón with the world-renowned Mariachi Los Camperos. Chema’s legacy includes being credited as a featured guitarrón player on Linda Ronstadt’s iconic 1987 album, Canciones de Mi Padre, a landmark tribute to Mexican-American music that brought mariachi to a national stage. Marysol honors her father’s musical legacy by performing mariachi whenever possible, using music as a bridge between generations and a way to preserve cultural pride. Her commitment to community and culture runs deep, driven by the belief that Latino families deserve more than survival they deserve to thrive. For Marysol, the phrase “La unión hace la fuerza” unity creates strength is not just a motto, but the guiding mission behind Fuerza Foundation.

Co-founder and Vice Chairwoman Fuerza Foundation

HENK C. POUDEROYEN, CHA

Principal 

Henk Pouderoyen completed his college education in the Netherlands, then completed a Hotel & Restaurant College Program in New York. He has been involved in all aspects of hotel operations - from early years with Hyatt Hotels and other companies - to upscale resorts to business hotels.

Henk was General Manager for over 18 years, while renovating and successfully repositioning many of the properties (from 75 to 260 rooms) he was responsible for. Among the brands that Henk managed and renovated as General Manager were InterContinental and Radisson Hotels. Henk's project management and renovation experience includes Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, IHG and independent hotels around the country. 

Henk enjoys staying active in his community having been a member of the Ventura Rotary, Visitor & Convention Bureau of the Santa Maria Valley, co-founded a Downtown Revitalization District in Santa Maria, CA, fundraising in a number of locally-based charities, and enjoys tennis, golf and soccer.

Founder and Principal Hotel Renovation Solutions 

Margaret P. Develey, MBA, CMP

Food, Beverage, and Meeting Industry Professional

Whether you are looking for a keynote speaker who can increase your audience's awareness on subjects of contemporary and internationally accepted proper business behavior and protocol, or need simple and practical advice to improve your business relationships and increase your company's bottom line. Margaret Develey assists people to project the professional image necessary in today's business environment.

Margaret Develey is a consultant, speaker and writer. Her company, The Develey International Group, specializes in Business Etiquette, Dining Styles and International Protocol. Her expertise in the above fields enables her to work successfully with clients from all professions, ages and backgrounds.

Her international background makes her a fascinating keynote speaker for luncheon and dinner occasions where she discusses dining etiquette dos and don'ts with style and finesse. Ms. Develey has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, coupled with twenty years of managerial experience in the Hospitality Industry.

Credentials

• MBA Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts

• CMP Certified Meetings Professional from the Convention Industry Council

• Certified Corporate Etiquette & International Protocol Consultant from The Protocol School of Washington®

• Author of "Impress" the pocket guide to business protocol and dining etiquette

• Contributing Writer to The Signal Newspaper of "Lessons in Etiquette"

• Over two decades in the hospitality industry both in Europe and the United States

• Conducts Etiquette Seminar at USC and L.A. Mission College

Founder and Principal The Develey International Group