Melanie Whitaker

Before joining Forbes Travel Guide in 2015, Melanie Whitaker spent more than 10 years at Starwood Hotels and Dorchester Collection in the United States and Europe. During her tenure with Dorchester in Europe, she led the Learning and Development team that opened 45 Park Lane in London and Coworth Park in Ascot. Most recently, Whitaker served as the Director of Learning and Development for Dorchester Collection's hotels in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Whitaker holds a degree from Appalachian State University, where she studied hospitality and tourism management. She also holds certifications as an Enneagram trainer, Myers-Briggs and FIRO-B practitioner, and has trained with Gallup on the CliftonStrengths assessment.