The mission of the Emerging Leaders Mentor Program is to provide members with the opportunity to meet industry professionals who want to share their experience, knowledge and advice. Through the mentoring program Emerging Leader mentees receive guidance and support as they explore career enhancement and advancement.

The Emerging Leaders leadership council provides professional development opportunities and experiences for our members. Mentees are selected through an application process and paired with mentors based on the mentees’ areas of interest and availability of the mentors.

The mentor program session takes place in Q2 each year and runs for 10 weeks.

The NHLA Emerging Leaders mentor program is designed to fulfill various purposes. For mentees, it recognizes up and coming leaders in the hospitality industry and provides resources for learning experience. It also gives young professionals a chance to broaden their career horizons by exploring other departments or industry fields.

If participating as a mentor, the program allows experienced professionals to share their expertise, knowledge and guidance with a young professional looking for career advancement and personal growth.

The program is a 10-week commitment for both parties – mentors and mentees.

Two-way communication is essential for the success of the program. Both the mentor and the mentee should be active participants in the program.

NHLA has a team of leaders comprising our Emerging Leaders Mentor committee. These members are available to assist in any area of our mentor program; please always feel free to contact any of us at any time.

Rick Walter, Venetian Las Vegas, Mentor Committee Chair

• Provide insight about your career path and experience
• Determine the goals and aspirations of your mentee and structure accordingly
• Introduce the mentee to other key team members
• Give the mentee a tour of your property or company
• Help the mentee to expand their professional network
• Coach the mentee in various skill sets such as:
  • Leadership skills
  • Problem-solving techniques
  • Powerful communication methods
  • Organizational skills
  • Business writing knowledge

• Determine areas of opportunities
• Share your goals and what areas you would like to explore with your mentor
• Determine your expectations from the program
• At the end of the program, what do you hope to have achieved?
• Be prepared to dedicate time throughout each month for the mentoring
• Work with your mentor on establishing a plan for meeting each month
• Be prepared for homework assignments from the mentor
• Complete all assignments prior to the next scheduled session
• Feel comfortable in communicating with your mentor
• Take notes, discuss any ideas, issues, suggestions or concerns with your mentor.
• Be on time for the designated mentoring session; be respectful of the executive’s time schedule
• Stay in touch with your mentor throughout the 10-week period

If your company is a member of NHLA, you can join the Emerging Leaders program and participate in the exciting mentor program as a mentor or mentee.

If you have leadership and managerial experience, consider sharing it with one of the Emerging Leader participants looking to expand their horizons, develop his/her career and reap personal growth. The 2025 Emerging Leaders mentor program has concluded and will resume in 2026.

If you are interested in professional and personal growth, career development and network enhancement, be sure to participate in our next program which will take place in 2026.

The 2025 Emerging Leaders mentor program has concluded and will resume in 2026.