Suzanne Markham Bagnera, Ph.D.

Bio

Assistant Professor Suzanne Markham Bagnera, Ph.D., brings more than 22 years of higher education experience and more than 25 years of hands-on industry experience in the hospitality sphere to her leadership role in the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. In her exciting new role, Suzanne will serve as an expert for the lodging curriculum, bringing her extensive knowledge to the forefront as she will be teaching lodging-related classes. 

Additionally, Suzanne will serve as the Program Director of Executive Education, as she contributes to the implementation of non-credit-bearing courses and continuing education initiatives in collaboration with industry partners.  She is developing the educational programs for industry icons, Anthony Melchiorri (Hotel Impossible Host and hotel expert) and Adam Tihany (Hospitality Design Expert).

With a rich background in the hotel industry, specifically with IHG brands, Suzanne is not only an academic powerhouse but also the Executive Producer of the hospitality industry's leading podcast, No Vacancy Live, hosted by Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri. In 2023, the podcast received the Industry Recognition Award by ICHRIE.  The podcast continues to earn the #1 placement for hospitality podcasts, by the International Hospitality Institute.

Before her Florida adventure, Suzanne held the position of Undergraduate Programs Chair in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. There, she seamlessly coordinated faculty efforts for the undergraduate program, crafted each semester's schedule, and shared her wealth of knowledge by teaching both graduate and undergraduate classes. Suzanne has also made impactful contributions to educational institutions in the northeast, including Johnson & Wales University, Fisher College, Mount Ida College, and Bunker Hill Community College as well as Indian River State College in Florida.

In 2020, Suzanne founded the Hospitality Leadership Academy, where she serves as Managing Partner. Together with her business partners, HLA seeks to offer customized training and management services for businesses seeking to improve their customer service experience, dazzle customers, and develop talented employees.

She is the co-author of the textbook Human Resource Management in Hospitality Cases, published by Routledge. Suzanne recently authored seven chapters in the new edition of the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program textbook by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Additionally, she has co-written the Organizing Staff chapter in the Operations Management in the Hospitality Industry textbook.  She has also authored numerous journal articles contributing to the gaps in COVID-19, customer service, and user-generated content.

Suzanne started in the hospitality industry working at Louie’s Shore Restaurant in New York, where on-scene filming for Meet the Parents occurred. She has held the position of General Manager at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express. Suzanne has worked in each of the hotel department operations positions (e.g. Guest Services, Food & Beverage, Restaurant, Revenue Management). 

Suzanne earned her Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University, showcasing her commitment to advancing her field. Her MBA and undergraduate degrees were obtained at Johnson & Wales University, grounding her in a solid foundation of hospitality education. 

In 2022, Suzanne was recognized as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in USA Hospitality, and in 2021 as the 25 Most Influential Educators in Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. In 2023, the International Hospitality Institute recognized Suzanne as one of the Top 50 Global Social Media Influencers in Hospitality and 30 Most Influential Educators. In 2024, Suzanne was once again recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as a Top 100 Global Social Media Influencers in Hospitality.