The Cast

Meet the Cast! A peek at the team behind YoungHotelier.com…

Jitendra Jain (JJ), Founder

A trend setter and record breaker in more ways than one! Jitendra, or better known to his family and friends as JJ, hails originally from Mumbai, India (his youth was spent in Kenya) but his studies and career have taken him to lands afar! Graduating first in his class at The Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management in 2000, JJ left Ooty with a Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology along with a Management Diploma from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) in hand and specializations in F&B Management, Human Resources and Rooms Division Management to boot. He ventured to Switzerland to maintain that ‘First in the Class’ status in his Swiss Higher Diploma in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality (SSTH). He broke a 43 year University Record at the HTW-University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland by achieving perfect marks across the board in his Tourism Degree studies! JJ recently completed his MBA with a distinction from the prestigious London Business School. I know what you are thinking…. Total GEEK!! You are right! But in the most innovative and ingenious manner that you have ever encountered!

Upon questioning JJ’s friends describe him as fun loving, talented, inspiring, motivated and undoubtedly a Driver! His knowledge and expertise in the “e” World leave the majority of us in awe & disbelief! His operational experience began with Holiday Inn in India and then in Kenya, with the flagship Nairobi Serena Hotel. In Switzerland, JJ gained Gourmet Service experience with the Restaurant Im Kehlhof, located on the Gold Coast of Zurich. He later worked at The Grand Hotel Quellenhof, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland under the wing of Bruno Hunkeler (President of the Swiss Barkeeper’s Association) and his steps from there took him to Tiwi Beach Resort, Kenya where he handled Purchasing, Operational Controlling and Project Management. It was later in the Middle East at The Sheraton Bahrain Hotel as well as the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi / The Westin Dubai that his true talent came to light in his role as the Hotel’s E-Commerce Manager. Still fuelling that online passion in Digital Marketing, JJ later took on Digital, Social & Mobile marketing for Starwood Hotels in EAME and now oversees Digital Marketing Hub activities for the Middle East.

Free Time!? Needless to say JJ’s true passion lies in the Online World! He hosts an array of both personal and professional sites from the Talent Jungle Hospitality Network to Expatriate Networks. He also hosts many hidden talents such as ‘the naked chef’ Jamie Oliver except his Kitchen Style is in CLOTHES! His creativity in the kitchen is reaffirmed by his creative writing skills that his close friends can confirm hence watch this space for a “Best Seller” in the near future. With no influence whatsoever on JJ’s part his younger sibling is also taking a similar path in this fun filled and ever changing hotel industry! Loved by all who have the fortunate experience to have JJ in their life… admired by even more who seek his guidance and counselling along on their journey. This Gemini is a true friend & kind hearted Geek! 

- E.O.N

A video interview with JJ
Courtesy Dr.Max Hitchins (The Hospitality Doctor)

Erin O’Neill, Founder

Going for Gold has always been this lady’s aim! Erin hails from the emerald isle of Ireland, where she has lived for most of her life. Erin began her studies by attending the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School to complete an intensive Culinary Certificate Course. Subsequently after studying for four years with the Shannon College of Hotel Management, Erin graduated in 2004 with a National Diploma in International Hotel Management & a National Diploma In Business Studies awarded By HETAC. She was awarded Best Language Student in her final year by Alliance Francais and was the Gold Medalist at the CATEX National Catering Exhibition 2003, an award never before achieved by a student in the industry.Erin’s operational experience began during her college studies where she was fortunate enough to spend the second year working with the Movenpick Hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland giving her the chance to develop both her practical & language skills while performing distant learning projects. She had the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the launch of a new family business in the industry…..Erin comes from a large Irish family of 4 sisters & a baby brother! Much to her father’s disappointment I might add as the Man United fanatic claims that he could have had half a soccer team if he had been blessed with sons instead of all those daughters!! Erin worked in a number of businesses with her family as she grew up, her earliest childhood memories were spent pouring ice cream cones and packing bags in Fitzpatrick’s Shop, her family run business with a tradition of 65 years service to the community that now has become a household name in many people in Cork. Her fourth year college placement is where her journey with Starwood began, when she was selected as a Vita Futura Management Trainee and joined the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh. This program offered her a wealth of experiences in departments within the hotel and developed her abilities promoting her to the role of Assistant Front Office Manager. Erin later returned to her home county of Cork to partake in the opening team of the 5 Star Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa. Her skills as a natural team leader emerged in this role and her passion for people development increased, she is a firm believer that people are any hotel’s greatest resource! That passion for people took her overseas to experience the dynamic growth and cultures in Dubai to previous roles as Asst Director Sales for the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi / Westin Dubai complex and then Director of Sales at the Bonnington Tower. Erin is currently Chief Imagination Officer of her very own events company, Serindipity Events LLC.

This Irish cailin has definitely got the “gift of the gab”, a gift that many people try to acquire by kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland. This, along with her talent of inspiring & developing the best in those around her, makes her an instant friend to all she meets. She has a special twinkle in her eye & a unique laugh, which reflect on the outside her warm heart on the inside. Her creative talents are amazing, as she possesses a natural flair at almost anything she turns her hand to. When her passion for work and people allow her the time, her other passion is traveling to experience adventures the world has to offer ….Walking the Great Wall of China, and camping out on safari in Africa to name a few to date. Erin has an obsession with photos but her larger obsessions revolve around handbags & shoes!! This obsession seems more tolerable considering her shoe size the same as all of her sisters! This Libra is a lover of life … And all of its promises & challenges!

- E.O.N & JJ

A video interview with Erin
Courtesy Dr.Max Hitchins (The Hospitality Doctor)