Our Members

Harris Cohen is from New York City and serves as the Student General Manager of The Statler Hotel. He began his journey at The Statler as a Guest Service Agent and Bellman and most recently served as Student Director of Rooms before stepping into his current role. Along the way, he has worked across multiple departments, gaining firsthand experience in nearly every aspect of hotel operations.

Outside of the Statler, Harris has completed internships with Shake Shack Inc., SL Green Realty Corp., and Loews Hotels, where he explored hospitality development, real estate, and operations. He is particularly interested in the intersection of hotel ownership, asset management, and operations strategy, with a focus on how both portfolio-level and property-level decisions can improve performance and create better guest experiences.

Beyond hospitality, Harris is an active student leader within Cornell's Jewish community. He serves as a student leader at Cornell Hillel and is involved with the Center for Jewish Living, helping foster community and create meaningful experiences for fellow students. He also serves as Lead Course Assistant for Introduction to Hotel Operations.

 

Jessica Bizub is from Buffalo, New York, and serves as the Student Sales & Marketing Director at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey with the Meetings & Events team before joining the Hotel Leadership Development Program and transitioning into Sales & Marketing, where she progressed through the roles of Coordinator, Supervisor, Manager, and most recently Student Sales & Marketing Director. Along the way, she developed a passion for building client relationships, supporting group business, and leading high-performing teams.

Outside of the Statler, Jessica served as an Omni Care Sales Intern at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, where she gained experience in convention hotel sales and commercial strategy. She is passionate about hotel sales, marketing, and creating memorable guest experiences through thoughtful planning and relationship building.

Beyond hospitality, Jessica serves as Executive Chair of Cornell University Program Board after previously serving as Promotional Chair, where she enjoys creating engaging campus events and fostering community. She also enjoys mentoring fellow students and continuously seeking opportunities to grow as a hospitality leader.

Andreana Frangos is from Coronado, California, and serves as the Student Director of Rooms at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey as a Guest Service Agent and has since developed a passion for guest service, team leadership, and creating exceptional hospitality experiences.

Outside of the Statler, Andreana has completed internships with both Kalahari and Hilton, where she gained valuable industry experience. She is passionate about hotel operations and enjoys finding ways to elevate both the guest and employee experience.

Beyond hospitality, Andreana is actively involved in the Cornell community through Hotel Ezra Cornell and other student organizations, where she enjoys collaborating with peers and giving back to the hospitality industry. She is excited to continue growing as a leader while helping create meaningful experiences for guests, colleagues, and fellow students.

 

 

Zach Atlas is from New York City and serves as the Student Front Office Supervisor at The Statler Hotel. He began his Statler journey as a Bellperson and has since grown into a leadership role in the Front Office, where he is passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences and developing as an operations leader. From a young age, Zach found joy in creating memorable moments for others, a passion that continues to shape his approach to hospitality.

Outside of the Statler, Zach has gained experience with Hilton Hotels, Marriott Marquis, and United Airlines, further strengthening his interests in both hotel and airline operations. He is particularly interested in loyalty programs, guest experience, and the operational strategies that drive world-class service.

Beyond hospitality, Zach serves as President of Cornell's Air & Sea Hospitality Club. He enjoys mentoring fellow students, building community, and is excited to continue exploring opportunities in hospitality and transportation while creating memorable experiences for guests and travelers alike.

 

Anya Aronskaia is from Moscow, Russia, and serves as the Student Front Office Manager at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey at the Front Desk and has since grown into a leadership role, where she is passionate about guest service, mentoring fellow students, and creating exceptional hospitality experiences.

Outside of the Statler, Anna has gained experience in education, hospitality, and legal settings, including serving as a legal intern at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and as a student tutor. These diverse experiences have strengthened her interests in leadership, communication, and working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Beyond hospitality, Anna is pursuing a degree in the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where she is interested in human resources, policy, and international relations. She enjoys building community, learning from diverse perspectives, and continuing to grow as a leader both inside and outside the hospitality industry.

 

Matthew is a Junior in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration and has been working at The Statler Hotel since his Freshman fall. He began his Statler journey at the front desk but has since cross-trained in bellstand, reservations, and housekeeping to gain a complete understanding of the Rooms Division. He is excited to continue learning more while working toward a career in airline or hotel operations.

Within Nolan, Matthew was a People & Culture Assistant Director for Hotel Ezra Cornell 101 and a member of Air & Sea Hospitality. Beyond Statler, he is an Assistant Photo Editor for The Cornell Daily Sun, on the E-Board of Cornell Catholic, and is on the leadership team for his home chapter of HOBY Youth Leadership. In his free time, Matthew enjoys hiking, reading, and line dancing.

Beverly Kleinman is from Long Island, New York, and serves as a Student Meetings & Events Manager at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey as a Team Coordinator before advancing to Meetings & Events Supervisor and most recently Meetings & Events Manager. Through each role, she has developed a passion for event planning, client relations, and creating memorable experiences for guests.

Outside of the Statler, Beverly has gained industry experience through internships with Hilton Waikoloa Village and The Lodge at Vail, where she explored both hotel operations and front office management. She is particularly interested in hospitality wellness design, with a focus on hotel and restaurant design and conceptualization.

Beyond the Statler, Beverly is actively involved with Hotel Ezra Cornell, where she served as Philanthropy Director after previously holding roles as Food & Beverage Service Assistant Director and Philanthropy Manager. She enjoys bringing people together through events, supporting charitable initiatives, and continuing to grow as a hospitality leader.

 

Lance Zeligson is from the New York City metropolitan area and serves as a Student Meetings & Events Manager at The Statler Hotel. He began his Statler journey as a Banquet Event Lead and Bartender before advancing to Meetings & Events Supervisor and most recently Meetings & Events Manager. Through each role, he has developed a passion for event operations, guest service, and leading teams to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences.

Outside of the Statler, Lance completed a Food & Beverage Internship with Royal Caribbean Group, where he is gaining experience in cruise line operations. His interests span hotel operations, food and beverage, cruise operations, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Beyond the Statler, Lance serves as the Food & Beverage Director for Hotel Ezra Cornell 102, after previously serving as Conference Services Director for Hotel Ezra Cornell 101. He also serves as President of Cornell's Air & Sea Hospitality Club, where he enjoys connecting students with industry leaders, planning experiential events, and continuing to grow as a hospitality professional.

Jamie is a third-year Nolan student specializing in Food and Beverage management and Real Estate. Her passion lies in all things F&B and also luxury hospitality operations. She has loved her time in meetings and events so far, and as a Student Manager, she is excited to continue supporting the growth of the team, delivering a wow for guests, and continuously growing as a future F&B leader.

She started her journey in the culinary banquets team which has given her a comprehensive understanding of BOH operations before becoming a leader in the FOH. Outside of work, she serves as a TA, a student mentor, and as VP of new member education for Nolan Ambassadors. She enjoys baking, playing golf, and learning languages!

 

Sophia Marangoudakis serves as a Student Housekeeping Manager at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey as a Student Housekeeping Attendant and, through the Hotel Leadership Development Program, progressed into leadership while developing a passion for hotel operations, team development, and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Outside of the Statler, Sophia has gained industry experience through internships at the Marriott Hotel in Yerevan, Armenia, RevPAR Media, and Marriott International, where she worked in hotel development. She is passionate about the intersection of hotel operations, development, and real estate, and aspires to one day develop and own a portfolio of boutique hotels.

Beyond the Statler, Sophia has served as an Assistant Director of Donor Relations for the 100th Hotel Ezra Cornell and is involved in several hospitality organizations across campus. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, creative arts, and volunteering with Lions Clubs International. She is excited to mentor future Hotel Leadership Development Program students and continue fostering a culture of service at The Statler.

 

 

Evelyn Wu serves as a Student Housekeeping Manager at The Statler Hotel. She began her Statler journey as a Banquet Server before transitioning to Housekeeping, where she advanced from Housekeeping Attendant to Housekeeping Supervisor and most recently Housekeeping Manager. Through each role, she has developed a passion for hotel operations, team leadership, and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Outside of the Statler, Evelyn has gained industry experience through internships with Hillstone Restaurant Group, Hyatt Regency Orange County, and The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, where she explored restaurant operations, hotel operations, culinary, and food and beverage management.

Beyond the Statler, Evelyn served as Executive Chef for Hotel Ezra Cornell 101 and has held several other leadership roles within the culinary department. She enjoys mentoring fellow students, collaborating across departments, and continuing to grow as a hospitality leader.

 

 

Thea Ackerman serves as a Student Supervisor at The Regent Lounge at The Statler Hotel. In her role, she helps lead day-to-day restaurant operations while working alongside fellow students to deliver exceptional service and create memorable dining experiences for guests.

Through the Hotel Leadership Development Program, Thea has developed a passion for hospitality operations, guest service, and team leadership. She enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where she can collaborate with others and contribute to creating welcoming experiences for every guest. She is excited to continue growing as a hospitality professional while supporting and mentoring the next generation of HLDP students.

Beyond the Statler, Thea serves as the Beverage Director for Hotel Ezra Cornell 102, where she leads beverage planning and execution for Cornell's student-run hospitality conference. She enjoys collaborating with fellow students across departments, developing creative beverage experiences, and continuing to grow her leadership skills through one of the school's signature hospitality events.

 

Will Bakos, originally from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, is a senior in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration with a passion for food and beverage operations and creating memorable guest experiences. Since his freshman year, he has worked as a server at Taverna Banfi in The Statler Hotel, where he enjoys the fast-paced environment and the opportunity to connect with guests and colleagues every day.

Beyond the Statler, Will serves as an Onboard Services Intern with New Hope Railroad, where he combines his passion for hospitality and railroading by delivering exceptional guest experiences aboard one of Pennsylvania's historic railroads. His previous hospitality experience includes serving at Stone Tavern, Saucon Valley Country Club, and The Colebrookdale Railroad, where he first discovered his love for hospitality. He is also an active member of Cornell's Ski Club.

Looking ahead, Will hopes to build a career in historic hospitality venues and railroad tourism, with the ultimate goal of owning or managing a historic excursion railroad that creates unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages. When he's not working, he enjoys playing the piano, rock climbing, and woodworking. A fun fact about Will is that he spent six years performing aerial circus acts, with flying trapeze being his favorite.

Colton brings a unique blend of hospitality, creativity, and community engagement to the role. Over the past summer, he interned with the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), where he developed his marketing and data analytics skills to write professional articles for industry stakeholders. His experiences with the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce and Anyela's Vineyards have provided a strong foundation in events, guest service, and hospitality operations.

He is also actively involved at Cornell as Chair of Cinematic Affairs for Delta Kappa Alpha Pre-Professional Cinematic Society and Staff Writer for the Arts & Culture section of The Cornell Daily Sun. His passion for film, music, and writing, combined with his people-focused approach, makes him a valuable asset to our marketing team. 

Ilene is a senior in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

This past summer, Ilene completed a Talent Acquisition HQ Fellowship with Marriott International, gaining experience in recruiting strategy, project management, data analysis, employer branding, and stakeholder engagement. She also supported hiring initiatives, presented a business challenge case, and had the opportunity to participate in milestone moments such as the Marriott International and The Coca-Cola Company partnership launch. Ilene is passionate about creating opportunities for others through leadership, service, and professional development.

Her involvement with ALPFA and the Mosaic Hospitality Association at Cornell reflects her commitment to helping students access valuable career resources and growth opportunities. Her drive, curiosity, and dedication to making a meaningful impact make her an invaluable member of our team.

Funmi is a senior in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Funmi has made a strong impact supporting the Sales and Marketing team, bringing creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail to her role. She works closely with Managers to assist clients, coordinate event details, and prepare BEOs, helping ensure seamless events and exceptional guest experiences.

In addition, Funmi supports The Statler Hotel's marketing initiatives through content creation, guest engagement analysis, and brand promotion. Her ability to connect with audiences was especially evident at ClubFest, where her outreach efforts generated the highest number of prospective business leads for the hotel.

With a growing passion for marketing research, creative design, and relationship building, Funmi continues to embody The Statler Hotel's commitment to excellence.

Vegas is a senior in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Vegas has demonstrated exceptional leadership both on campus and within The Statler Hotel. He serves on the executive board of ALPFA, is Co-President of BlackGen Capital, and is the Co-Founder and Co-President of the Cornell Mosaic Hospitality Association, a student organization dedicated to fostering inclusion, professional development, and networking opportunities within the hospitality industry.

At The Statler Hotel, Vegas has contributed to projects focused on enhancing the guest experience, including leading research, sourcing, and pricing efforts for new guest room amenities designed to provide greater value to travelers. He has also supported the Sales and Marketing teams through client engagement, event coordination, and strategic initiatives that strengthen The Statler's brand.

Abigail is a senior at Cornell's Nolan School of Hotel Administration whose interests in hospitality center around food and beverage operations.

Originally from Houston, Texas, she is especially drawn to catering, restaurant management, and event planning, fields that merge careful planning and teamwork to create memorable experiences. Through HLDP and her work in the culinary department at the Statler Hotel, Abigail has seen firsthand the impact careful attention to detail and good service can have on a guest's experience, and she is excited to carry that knowledge into her future endeavors.

Abigail is also active in the Cornell and Ithaca communities. She serves as President of Nolan Ambassadors and President of Order of Omega, and she is a proud member of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. These roles have strengthened her commitment to supporting underrepresented communities and creating spaces where people feel they belong.

Sofia is a junior in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration pursuing a Food and Beverage concentration.

Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, she has continued chasing her passion in the kitchen and the Food and Beverage industry, in and out of Cornell. Inside the Statler Hotel, she has contributed to aiding Dean's Dinners, banquets, and greeting you from the Taverna Banfi host stand.

Sofia is also involved in the CUSLAR and in the ACAU group, and pursuing two minors in Spanish and LACS. For her future, Sofia wishes to stay in the Food and Beverage Industry, in the fine dining and luxury F&B sector.

Ella is a junior at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration pursuing a minor in Sustainable Business and Economic Policy and a specialization in Food & Beverage Management. Since joining The Statler Hotel in November 2024, she has progressed to Culinary Banquets Supervisor, earning a reputation for her commitment to her team, and dedication to efficient, high-quality service.

As Sous Chef, Ella is excited to take on new projects to elevate our banquet service and help ensure the culinary team continues its commitment to excellence. She also brings valuable event experience from her previous role as Family Meal Assistant Director for HEC 101 and current role as Culinary Logistics and Operations Coordinator for HEC 102. She is also looking forward to teaching others culinary line operations as a BOH course assistant for Restaurant Management this year.