LEORA HALPERN LANZ

Associate Professor of the Practice, School of Hospitality Administration, Boston University

Leora has been a leader in hospitality marketing and education for 30+years. As an Associate Professor of the Practice at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (SHA), she has guided students in experiential and digital marketing strategies, helping to shape the next generation of hospitality leaders. Her courses involve elements of corporate responsibility including sustainability marketing, wellness initiatives and community engagement. Currently developing the school's online master's program, she has previously also served as Assistant Dean of Academics and Faculty Chair of the graduate programs, emphasizing innovative approaches to addressing industry challenges.

Before joining academia, Leora founded LHL Communications, where she where she supported hotels, restaurants, and tourism organizations with branding and marketing solutions that prioritized community engagement and reputation management. As Global Director of Marketing & Communications for HVS, she led strategic communications and branding initiatives for one of the world’s leading hospitality consulting firms. Earlier roles, including Director of Public Relations for ITT Sheraton Hotels of New York and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, allowed her to amplify the positive impact of tourism on local communities.

Recognized as one of the “Top 100 Powerful Leaders of Hospitality” and “Top 50 Influential Hospitality Educators” by the International Hospitality Institute, Leora has been published extensively in industry publications, including Hotel Executive and the Boston Hospitality Review.

Leora earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Boston University.