Tonya Fleetwood

Based in: New York City

Insider pick: Tonya loves to sing karaoke and thinks if you’re looking for the best karaoke bar that celebrates community and has incredible vibes, check out Planet Rose in NYC’s East Village.

Pro tip: Planet Rose is a place where you feel like a local, sing your favorite song without intimidation, and capture the best selfies surrounded by the bar’s zebra-print couches and neon lights.

Tonya has over 17 years of experience in developing and executing successful public relations campaigns on a national and international basis. Her sharp insights and robust skill set includes providing strong client counsel while creating and implementing strategic partnerships. Tonya has built trustworthy relationships with press contacts while simultaneously providing team leadership and guidance for her peers. Her passion for the lifestyle industry includes overseeing and managing full scope event production.

Tonya’s expertise lies within the areas of Hospitality, Lifestyle, and Consumer, leading clients such as the ME by Meliá hotel brand, Lotte New York Palace, Source Cincinnati, The Farmer’s Dog, Us Weekly, Reader’s Digest, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Tonya’s diverse portfolio of clients allowed her to amass a keen understanding of hospitality subsections including travel, food/spirits, arts/entertainment, consumer products, media properties, and more.

Tonya has launched everything from hotel brands to individual properties to new restaurants to healthy dog food. She’s successfully executed A-List grand ballroom events and small-scale photo shoots. Tonya has guided properties through a wide range of renovations projects, executive team turnovers, rebranding campaigns, new ownership takeovers, and consumer activations/programs. Tonya’s efforts resulted in her clients being featured in top media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, TODAY Show, Travel + Leisure, Departures, Food + Wine, Forbes, New York Post, Parade, and more.

Rama Chalati

Based in: Los Angeles

Insider Pick: For Rama, nothing beats a sunny day in Orange County packed with good food and coastal views. A typical weekend starts with an iced latte and salmon bagel from A Market, with an organic fruit farmers market set up right outside. She then heads to Crystal Cove for a beach day (the best, but she’s biased), catches the sunset, and usually grabs a table at Skål Pizza for some of the best wood-fired pies. Of course, the night ends with a stop at Bacio di Latte for the best gelato in town.

Pro Tip: When you stop by Bacio di Latte, order the 3 Cioccolati and ask for it with pistachio cream. Trust – it tastes like a Dubai chocolate in a cup, and yes, the line is absolutely worth it.

Rama brings over 8 years of cross-industry PR experience spanning retail, hospitality, food and beverage, lifestyle, automotive, and more. Rama is a strategic communicator known for bringing brands to life through impactful strategies, thoughtful partnerships, and compelling storytelling.

She has led PR efforts for a number of hospitality brands such as Hotel Nia in Menlo Park, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Viceroy Santa Monica, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, and premier retail destinations including Irvine Spectrum Center and Fashion Island. Her work blends creative vision with meticulous execution, whether managing a luxury hotel opening, spearheading strategic brand partnerships, or curating immersive media experiences. Highlights include orchestrating a ride-and-drive press trip through the mountains of Tbilisi and supporting the debut of the world’s largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai.

Rama holds a Master of Science in Public Relations Innovation and Strategy Management from the University of Southern California. Well-traveled and globally minded, she brings a unique perspective to brand communications, along with a steady hand in crisis situations and a flair for building meaningful stories.

Kate Hoag

Based in: New York City

Insider Pick: Kate’s perfect Saturday is spent in the East Village. It usually starts with a bagel from the original Tompkins Square Bagels location, where the Southwestern cream cheese is unmatched, followed by an iced vanilla latte from Boris & Horton. From there, she loves wandering through Tompkins Square Park and stopping into L Train Vintage to hunt for vintage band T-shirts and one-of-a-kind finds.

Pro Tip: Boris & Horton is worth visiting for more than just the coffee. As New York City’s first dog-friendly café, it’s a gathering place for dog lovers and regularly hosts community events, including trivia nights on Thursdays and adoption events. Grab a coffee, bring your laptop, and enjoy spending time with some very cute dogs. 

Bio: Kate Hoag brings experience across hospitality, travel, fine art clients, and entertainment clients. She is a thoughtful communicator known for her positive attitude, attention to detail, and passion for helping clients tell compelling stories and connect with their audiences.

She has supported PR initiatives for leading hospitality and luxury brands, including Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort; Rosewood Mandarina; Rosewood Washington, D.C.; The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel; Four Seasons Yachts; and Wheels Up Private Jets. Her work includes media relations, coverage tracking, and press material development, resulting in impactful placements and cohesive brand storytelling. She has also supported fine art clients, helping secure meaningful media coverage and elevate artist narratives. Additionally, Kate assisted a celebrity publicist with media days, press kit assembly, and client coordination for high-profile talent, including Academy Award–nominated actors, strengthening her ability to excel in fast-paced environments.

Kate holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Southern California. Having grown up moving between states and living abroad, she brings a unique perspective and an ability to make any place feel like home, connecting easily with a range of audiences.

Justine Cacdac

Based in: Los Angeles

Insider Pick: Justine loves to spend her Saturday mornings outdoors. For the most perfect walk and picnic along Long Beach’s oceanfront bluff, head to Gusto Bread beforehand and order their chori-buns, nixtamal queens (their play on a kouign-amann) and hot xocolatl to-go. After a lovely picnic, join the free Saturday yoga classes on the bluff.

Pro Tip: The restored 1920s Art Theatre of Long Beach allows movie-goers to bring in full bottles of wine while watching your fav films, as long as it’s purchased next door from Art Du Vin. 

Bio: Justine Cacdac has spent the last seven years working across the food & beverage and hospitality realms between operations, marketing and public relations. From launching hotels and restaurants from the ground up to leading successful public relations and marketing campaigns, Justine’s passion for the industry has created impactful results for her clients. With experience in targeted media relations, brand partnerships and thought leadership, she has earned coverage in national, local and broadcast media outlets. With a results-oriented approach surrounding her clients’ goals and strategies, Justine prioritizes quality over quantity and impact over noise.  As a travel bug and foodie, Justine continues to immerse herself in the world of hospitality through her travel explorations.

Talar Nourian

Based in: Los Angeles

Insider Pick – Talar loves to spend her off days in Newport Beach, having spent years perfecting an ideal itinerary to spend her time doing the things she loves the most.

Pro Tip – Start your day off grabbing a dirty chai latte at Alta Coffee or the best matcha from Lion & Lamb, then head to Balboa Island to walk along the water admiring real estate and the serene environment before making your way to Lido Marina Village to grab some lunch at Zinque or Bear Flag Fish Co (don’t miss the Ahi Poke and the Bear Flag Tacos). For a post-lunch breather, take a walk along the shops at Lido Marina Village (maybe buy a thing or two) before heading over the bridge exploring the streets of Newport. Catching dinner in the area? Don’t miss out on Buddha’s Favorite sushi or Palmilla Cocina y Tequila (reservations recommended), and end your night with a sweet treat from Sidecar Donuts.

Bio: Talar Nourian is a master weaver of impactful media narratives. She’s a trusted partner to clients, having worked on several successful campaigns for brands. Talar is fueled by exceeding expectations and securing coveted media placements that leave audiences buzzing and clients delighted. Her expertise extends beyond traditional media, seamlessly integrating digital strategies to maximize impact in today’s dynamic landscape. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, she continues to shape narratives that inspire action and drive measurable success for her clients. She leverages three years of public relations experience to create compelling campaigns that resonate with global audiences. Her collaborative approach and meticulous attention to detail consistently deliver strategic solutions that exceed expectations.

Cory Ford

Insider Pick: Cory loves everything about Musso & Frank in Hollywood. And he thinks you will love it, too.

Pro Tip: Their ice cold Dirty Martini is the perfect jumping off point for dinner and comes with a sidecar because more is more. I’m rather partial to their Spicy Rigatoni Vodka after a wedge or a half fresh dozen oysters, but their entire menu is exquisite.

Social Media Management/Digital Marketing: Coming from Atlanta by way of Indianapolis, Cory formed a boutique digital marketing agency that specialized in hospitality and helped develop, mold & strengthen digital brand identities for Mama Shelter Hotels, SunLife Organics, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood and many more lifestyle and luxury brands throughout Los Angeles. Cory is an expert at creating and cementing a brand’s voice and aesthetic in the digital space while also helping your company grow and evolve.

Abbie Marshall

Based in: New York City

Insider pick: Abbie is a huge fan of fun fitness studios. Topping her list are the dance party-style class at 305 Fitness, and a sweat-inducing barre class at Physique 57.

Pro tip: Take your workout outdoors with NYC’s countless options for outdoor running routes – from Central to Riverside Park, or around Battery Park with views of the Statue of Liberty. Bring your playlist, soak up the energy, and enjoy the views.

Abbie’s passion for travel naturally dovetails with her 15 years of public relations experience. Her areas of expertise are focused within the hospitality and travel industries, where she’s worked with clients including Delta Air Lines, Princess Cruises, The Watergate Hotel, Dream Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Melia Hotels International, Lotte New York Palace, The Plaza, Wynn Las Vegas, Chateau Montelena, and many more.

Abbie’s reach extends to tech and lifestyle brands as well, including Instagram, Le Pain Quotidien, ASPCA, American Express, SUBWAY, Under Amour, Timex, Wanelo, and Namastream. She has a proven track record in conceptualizing and executing strategic campaigns, brainstorming and facilitating partnerships and securing media placements in target outlets for her clients.

Abbie gained extensive industry knowledge through her work at several internationally lauded travel public relations agencies. Most recently, Abbie was a Senior Director at Lion & Lamb Communications overseeing the travel group. Prior to that, she served as a Vice President at DKC Public Relations and an Account Supervisor at Lou Hammond & Associates. Abbie began her career at Catalyst Public Relations.

Lindsay Weightman

Based in: San Diego

Insider Pick: San Diego is a top destination for beach lovers – Moonlight, Marine St. and Law St. to name a few. Its surf culture, outdoor activities, and laid-back vibes make for a simply sublime SoCal beach city.

Pro Tip: Sunset Cliffs offers the best dose of vitamin sea with hiking trails, hidden beaches, tide pools and good surf. On any given day you’ll see local artists painting, hear an impromptu jam session or catch a yoga class all cliffside. Grab a burrito and blanket for an oceanfront picnic and the most breathtaking sunset views.

Bio: With 15 years of PR and marketing experience, Lindsay is a communications pro and seasoned newsmaker with serious account strategy in her back pocket. She’s launched, rebranded and led megawatt campaigns for an international portfolio of clients in hospitality, retail and the lifestyle space. Throughout her career she’s worked with one of the nation’s top PR firms, in-house with Fortune 500 companies and as a consultant for clients globally.

In agency life, Lindsay honed her leadership style as a rocksteady mentor to teams while serving as the smooth operator for clients. Working in-house, she’s been able to explore every part of the brand, identify narratives and bring them to life through creative storytelling. Using the skills and perspective gained both in-house and in an agency setting, Lindsay is able to provide flexible and effective solutions for clients. Seemingly daunting projects come with ease, thanks to fierce follow-through and attention to detail, which are the foundation of her winning formula.