JENA THORNTON is a hospitality expert with over twenty years experience in the industry. She recently led the U.S. hotel division of Bentall Kennedy LP (formerly known as Kennedy Associates Real Estate Counsel LP) as a senior vice president, where she served from 2002-2012. During that time she oversaw the acquisition, development, financing, asset management, and disposition of over a billion dollars of hotels. Most recently, she also oversaw all U.S. real estate dispositions of all property types for the firm.

Prior to that, she was the vice president of acquisitions and business development for Noble House Hotels & Resorts, overseeing the acquisition and financing of a few hundred million dollars of hospitality projects. Previously, she was a development manager at Westin Hotels & Resorts, now part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. She has also worked for PKF Consulting, IHA, and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

Jena, who is a member of Urban Land Institute and sits on its hotel development council, received her BSBA in International Business & Marketing from American University. She is also a LEED AP, which is a U.S Green Building Counsel Accredited Professional.