THE NATIONAL NONPROFIT Shatterproof named STR President Amanda Hite a 2025 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes honoree for her efforts to raise awareness of substance abuse. Hite will be honored at the eighth annual Hospitality Heroes Reception, held during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit on Jan. 29.
The event will also raise funds to support Shatterproof's efforts to promote addiction treatment in America, Shatterproof said in a statement.
“Amanda Hite is a true testament of the Hospitality Heroes award due to her personal commitment to educate the public to reduce the stigma of addiction and ensure that people who use substances or have substance use disorders have a path to recovery,” said Gary Mendell, Shatterproof’s CEO. “We look forward to working with her and STR to raise awareness and bring change to treatment outcomes and research.”
Mendell, a former hotelier and co-founder of HEI Hotels & Resorts, founded Shatterproof 10 years ago after losing his son to addiction with the goal of preventing other families from experiencing the same pain and heartbreak. Since its inception, the Hospitality Heroes Reception has raised more than $5 million for Shatterproof and brought together more than 100 hotel companies and 500 employees.
Hite expressed pride in the hospitality industry’s support for those affected by addiction and emphasized the role of organizations like Shatterproof in providing life-saving resources, the statement said. Her leadership and advocacy are instrumental in breaking down barriers that prevent people from seeking help.
“Studies have shown the hospitality industry is impacted by substance use disorders at two times the rate of other industries,” said Hite. “My goal is to ensure that we create a national support system to ensure that people living with substance use disorders have access to treatment and resources and can be treated without any shame or judgement.”
She participated in Shatterproof initiatives, including the Shatterproof Challenge Rappel, where she rappelled down a building to raise awareness and funds for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery, Shatterproof said. Her involvement underscores her commitment to the cause and her ongoing support for Shatterproof's mission.
Hite also serves on boards and councils like the American Hotel and Lodging Association, U.S. Travel Association, Executive Council of Women in Lodging and Forward Sumner Economic Partnership. Additionally, she contributes to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Industry Advisory Board for Auburn University's hotel and restaurant management program.
Before joining STR, Hite was the director of research for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, focusing on economic growth and development in the local business community and regional economy.
In January, Shatterproof honored Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., at its seventh Hospitality Heroes Reception during the Americas Lodging Investment Summit for rallying hospitality leaders to combat addiction stigma.
