Leeny Oberg, Marriott International’s chief financial officer and executive vice president of development, will receive the 2025 Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix on Oct. 7.
Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.
Marriott’s Leeny Oberg will receive the 2025 Peggy Berg Castell Award on Oct. 7.
The award recognizes individuals who advance women in hospitality.
Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, received the 2024 award.
Leeny Oberg, Marriott International’s chief financial officer and executive vice president for development, will receive the 2025 Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix on Oct. 7. The award, presented by the AHLA Foundation’s ForWard initiative, recognizes individuals who advance women in hospitality.
Oberg was selected as the sixth recipient of the AHLA Foundation’s annual recognition by an independent group of industry leaders and stakeholders, the foundation said in a statement.
“Leeny Oberg’s dedication and leadership at Marriott exemplify the values this award represents,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO. “She is a changemaker, committed to improving the industry and advancing the careers of those around her. We are thrilled to present her with this recognition.”
Oberg said she was honored to receive the Peggy Berg Castell Award.
"AHLA and the AHLA Foundation have been incredible partners to Marriott, our industry and hospitality professionals," she said. "It has been a privilege to work in a people-oriented business with colleagues and teams who make this industry unique.”
She served as Marriott’s CFO since 2013 and became EVP of development in 2023, overseeing the company’s global lodging portfolio. Before Marriott, she was CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. She joined Marriott in 1999. In July 2025, Marriott announced she will retire effective March 31, 2026.
The Peggy Berg Castell Award, formerly the Castell Award, was renamed in 2022 to honor Peggy Berg, founder of the Castell Project, for her work advancing women to leadership positions in hospitality, the statement said. Its recipients are women leaders who promote professional growth in hospitality.
CBRE named Mona Govahi a director of its national property tax practice at VAS.
She recently served as business development manager at O’Connor Tax Reduction Experts.
She earned a spot on the Asian Hospitality List of the 51 Most Successful Women of Color.
Mona Govahi is now one of CBRE’s directors of national property tax practice within its valuation and advisory services. She will lead the team providing property tax consulting, valuations and portfolio strategies across hotels, multifamily, industrial and mixed-use properties.
She most recently served as national business development manager at O’Connor & Associates. Her work earned her a spot on the 2025 Asian Hospitality Power List of the 51 Most Successful Women of Color, highlighting her role in the hospitality and real estate sectors, CBRE said in a statement.
“Mona’s appointment reflects CBRE’s commitment to expanding our National Property Tax Practice and delivering solutions for property owners,” said Henry Joseph, CBRE's managing director for VAS. “Her expertise and reputation will bring value to our clients, particularly in the hospitality sector.”
Govahi, with experience in property tax consulting, legal advocacy, and hospitality, has guided institutional investors, real estate owners, and hotel groups through multi-jurisdictional appeals and valuation challenges.
“CBRE’s platform and national reach will allow me to partner with clients at a higher level, delivering strategies, relationships and outcomes that move the needle,” Govahi wrote on LinkedIn. “I look forward to working with an exceptional team and driving results from Day 1. Here’s to new opportunities, bold goals and setting a higher standard together.”
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