Ashley Ellsworth Bird

Ashley Ellsworth Bird, a 2024 EMMH graduate of Cornell’s Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration and Director of Global Brand Development, at Hyatt Hotels, supporting the Independent Collection and collaborating with hotel owners and operators to create authentic and ownable hotel brands. Prior to joining Hyatt, Ashley was Managing Director of Creative Services at FINE, a brand and digital agency that specializes in developing lifestyle brands across industries. Ashley is a dynamic public speaker with a passion for collaborating with hospitality organizations to engage audiences in the development and refinement of their brands and creating brand-led cultures. With 18+ years of strategic project, product, program, and operations management experience, Ashley has led branding initiatives for some of the most notable owners and operators in the industry. Client highlights include Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Viceroy, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Davidson Hospitality, Springboard Hospitality, Noble House, Corinthia Hotels, Iberostar Group, Blackstone, and KSL Capital Partners.