Anna Marie Presutti Named First Female President & CEO of San Francisco Travel in 115 years

Anna Marie Presutti Named First Female President & CEO of San Francisco Travel in 115 years

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 25, 2024

The San Francisco Travel Association has appointed Anna Marie Presutti as its new President and CEO, making her the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 115-year history. Presutti, who had been serving as interim President and CEO since mid-May, officially steps into this leadership role, overseeing San Francisco Travel’s global efforts to market the city as a prime destination for conventions, meetings, and leisure travel.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of San Francisco’s economy, contributing $9.3 billion in total visitor spending and generating nearly $610 million in tax revenues in 2023. With 23 million annual visitors, tourism supports nearly 63,000 jobs in the city.

"After an extensive national search, we found the best candidate was already leading the charge. Anna Marie is a dynamic and bold advocate for San Francisco," said John Anderson, Chair of San Francisco Travel’s Board. "Her deep familiarity with the organization, coupled with her passion for the city, makes her the ideal leader to take San Francisco Travel to new heights."

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Presutti has over two decades of experience in San Francisco’s tourism and hospitality industry. Before assuming this role, she served as Vice President and General Manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco, where she became the first female vice president for Nikko Hotels International in 2006. Her impressive career includes leadership roles at Kimpton Hotels, ITT Sheraton, Hilton Hotels, and Sunstone Hotel Properties.

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As the newly appointed President and CEO, Presutti aims to rejuvenate San Francisco’s convention business and highlight the city’s culinary scene, arts, and cultural strengths. “I am passionate about this city and its future. We are on the brink of a significant recovery, and my focus will be on building momentum to restore San Francisco’s status as a top global destination,” said Presutti.

Her accomplishments have earned her several accolades, including being named one of “The Most Influential Women in the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Business Times and receiving the Hotel Council of San Francisco’s Peter Goldman Award of Excellence.

San Francisco Travel, the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting the city’s vibrant tourism industry as one of the top US destinations for tourism and business travel.


Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Syed Annsar Ali J to Associate Director of Sales

Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Syed Annsar Ali J to Associate Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on November 10, 2026

Hyatt Regency Chennai has promoted Syed Annsar Ali J to Associate Director of Sales, recognising his contributions to the hotel's commercial growth and client relationship development. Annsar previously served as Senior Sales Manager at the property.

Annsar joined Hyatt Regency Chennai as Sales Manager in May 2023 and was promoted to Senior Sales Manager in October 2024. His latest elevation, effective April 2026, marks the next step in his professional journey with the hotel.

During his tenure, he has contributed to strengthening the property's contract and negotiated business, while developing strategic relationships with travel agents, sports teams and medical associations.

In his new role, Annsar will lead the hotel's Sales team and oversee key revenue-generating segments, including Corporate, Contract and Negotiated accounts. His responsibilities will include steering Request for Proposal (RFP) strategies, monitoring team performance and mentoring sales managers to support business growth and organisational objectives.

Commenting on the promotion, Puneet Baijal, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Chennai, said, "Annsar's journey with Hyatt Regency Chennai over the past three years reflects his dedication, business acumen and ability to build strong client relationships. His contributions have been valuable to our commercial growth, and we are confident that he will lead the Sales team towards greater achievements in his new role."

Annsar holds an MBA in Marketing and Human Resources from the University of Madras and a Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology from PES Institute of Technology, Bengaluru.

His professional experience spans sales roles across the hospitality, vacation ownership and financial services sectors, bringing together commercial exposure and relationship management experience.

His promotion reflects his progression within Hyatt Regency Chennai, where he has moved through three roles in the Sales function since joining the property in 2023.


Dale Cabral Promoted to Housekeeping Manager at Radisson Hotel Mumbai Andheri MIDC

Dale Cabral Promoted to Housekeeping Manager at Radisson Hotel Mumbai Andheri MIDC

By Hariharan U

Published on November 10, 2026

Dale Cabral has been promoted to Housekeeping Manager at Radisson Hotel Mumbai Andheri MIDC, marking an important milestone in his hospitality career and recognising his experience in housekeeping operations and service management.

With a background in the hospitality industry, Cabral brings experience in operations management and customer service, supported by a strong understanding of housekeeping standards and operational efficiency. His professional strengths include time management, operational coordination and proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Cabral holds a bachelor's degree with a specialisation in Housekeeping, providing him with an academic foundation in hotel operations and service excellence.

In his new role, Cabral will take on greater responsibilities within the hotel's housekeeping function, focusing on maintaining operational standards, supporting efficient service delivery and contributing to the overall guest experience.

His promotion represents a significant step in his professional journey, reflecting his dedication, professional growth and continued commitment to excellence in housekeeping operations


Chef Narendra Singh Appointed Specialty Chef at Saffron Indian Cuisine, North Carolina

Chef Narendra Singh Appointed Specialty Chef at Saffron Indian Cuisine, North Carolina

By Hariharan U

Published on November 9, 2026

Saffron Indian Cuisine in Cary, North Carolina, has appointed Chef Narendra Singh as Specialty Chef, bringing more than 15 years of culinary experience across premium hospitality establishments, international cruise operations, restaurant kitchens and catering services in the United States.

An Indian cuisine specialist, Chef Narendra brings expertise in authentic North Indian and Mughlai preparations, including signature curries, biryanis, kebabs and regional specialities. His professional experience also covers menu development, recipe standardisation, production planning, kitchen coordination, food safety and high-volume food production.

Chef Narendra has been associated with Saffron Indian Cuisine since January 2025, contributing to its daily kitchen operations and catering services. His responsibilities include coordinating food preparation, managing kitchen stations and maintaining consistency in flavour, presentation and quality across private events, weddings, corporate functions and community celebrations.

He has also contributed to the restaurant's food operations during Cary Diwali, a major community celebration attended by thousands of people. The event involves large-scale Indian food production, requiring careful preparation planning and coordination to maintain service standards during peak demand.

Commenting on his association with the restaurant, Chef Narendra Singh said, "Cooking is about preserving the authenticity of traditional Indian flavours while ensuring consistency and quality in every dish. At Saffron Indian Cuisine, I look forward to bringing my experience in North Indian and Mughlai cuisine, exploring new preparations and contributing to the restaurant's growth. Being part of community celebrations is equally rewarding because food brings people together and creates a connection with Indian culture and traditions."

International Culinary Experience

Before joining Saffron Indian Cuisine, Chef Narendra worked with Thomas United Company Ltd. / Food Hub, Bermuda, where he prepared Indian speciality dishes and supported restaurant operations.

He also gained international cruise hospitality experience with Carnival Cruise Lines, handling kitchen-station responsibilities, standardised food preparation and food-safety practices in a high-volume service environment.

Earlier in his career, he was associated with ITC Royal Gardenia, Bengaluru, where he developed his foundation in North Indian and Mughlai cooking, kitchen organisation and professional food preparation.

His career across India, Bermuda, cruise operations and the United States has given him exposure to different culinary environments and service requirements, while allowing him to specialise in traditional Indian cuisine.

Culinary Recognition

Chef Narendra's professional achievements include receiving the Master Chef India title from the Royal Bengal Master Chef Organization in May 2026. He was also selected as an International Judge at the Indian Culinary Premier League 2026, organised by the same organisation.

These recognitions add to his professional involvement in the culinary field, extending beyond kitchen operations to the evaluation of culinary talent.

At Saffron Indian Cuisine, Chef Narendra will bring together his experience in traditional Indian cooking, international hospitality and large-scale catering as he contributes to the restaurant's culinary operations and community-focused events.

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