PEOPLE update as of Oct. 13, 2020

Sabrina Bhangoo, formerly director of public relations, Canada, for Marriott, is now AVP of Global Communication at Manulife. Bhangoo led the development and execution of Marriott International’s public relations strategy in Canada for four and a half years. She oversaw national public relations and crisis communications for 30 hotel brands, more than 250 hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, as well as B2B and corporate communications. Prior to joining Marriott, she was senior manager, external communications for Aimia Inc. for almost three years, and before that she spent five and a half years at FTSE Russell Financial service in London, U.K., where she became global communications manager.

Ryan McRae has joined Hotel Equities as senior vice-president of business development. McRae most recently served as area vice-president of lodging development with Marriott International. Based in Vancouver, McRae will focus on continuing to grow Hotel Equities’ Canadian portfolio of full service, select service and extended stay hotels. Prior to joining Marriott in 2014, McRae was vice-president, acquisitions and development for SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. His career also includes the role of development director with Hilton Worldwide where he focused on corporate growth both in Canadian and global markets. The Hotel Equities portfolio of 166 hotels includes 26 in Canada, positioning Hotel Equities as the largest non-owner third-party hotel management group in the country. “After 6 amazing years growing the Marriott International portfolio in Canada, I am very excited to share that I have recently joined the Hotel Equities team as senior vice-president – business development,” McRae said on LinkedIn. “Thanks and gratitude to everyone at Marriott International, and I look forward to continuing to work with the fantastic community of hotel owners, developers, and investors here in Canada!”

Pierre Gauvin, a longtime South East New Brunswick business community member, has joined Colliers International New Brunswick as a realtor with Colliers’ commercial sales and leasing team. Gauvin is widely known across South Eastern New Brunswick for his community leadership and extensive volunteer work. For over 30 years, Gauvin worked extensively with the Bell family of companies, holding the roles of senior account executive, director of sales & channel management, project director, SMB sales manager and regional manager. Over the years he has dealt with more than 500 businesses across the Maritimes. Outside of his professional business career, Gauvin is also well known for his involvement with the Dieppe Club of Rotary, as he has guided them through various fundraising and community initiatives.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed David Oppenheim as senior vice-president, analytics & insights. Oppenheim will report to Claire Bennett, global chief marketing officer at IHG. Oppenheim most recently worked at Alaska Airlines as vice-president of sales and distribution. Previously, Oppenheim held numerous positions at United Airlines, including leading the commercial-analytics team. He’s recognized for his analytical and intellectual rigor and broad expertise building revenue in the travel industry. He began his career at The Boston Consulting Group.

As part of the recently announced organizational reset of Accor, Thomas Dubaere is promoted to CEO for South America.Dubaere, departing COO Northern Europe (UK, Benelux and Nordics), joins the Accor global Executive Committee in his new role of CEO South America. Following 10 years in the UK as UKI MD and later COO Accor Northern Europe, Thomas has grown the region to more than 400 hotels and 18 brands with a further four brands signed to open in the region by 2022 including Raffles London at The OWO, Tribe, Jo&Joe and 25hours Hotels. He replaces Patrick Mendes who is now the chief commercial officer, global, returning to France to occupy the newly created position.