Yolanda Suarez was elected to be serve on the 2015 – 2016 National Board as the National Programs Director for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. She will be in charge of nationwide chapter awards, High School Outreach, Scholarships, National résumé booklet, NSMH Internship E-Fair, National Hospitality Week, and other NSMH national programs. She has been a member of NSMH since her freshman year at FIU.

NSMH’s national conference takes place once a year and offers hospitality students three days of professional development, access to recruiters from across the nation, and endless networking. This year’s conference took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from February 12 – 15. NSMH is recognized as the premier professional organization for developing exceptional minority student talent and leadership and is the largest student-run organization of its kind. NSMH is sponsored by and partners with some of the most well-respected companies in the Hospitality industry including ARAMARK, The Disney Company, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Sodexo, MGM Resorts International, DARDEN, OTG Management, and many more. The conference ends with a hospitality career fair showcasing jobs across the nation.

Suarez says NSMH has provided her with rich development opportunities that have helped shape her as a student, a professional, and a leader.

“Serving on the NSMH National Board is not only an honor for myself, but FIU as well. There is only one other person on the National Board from the Southern states,” Suarez said. “Being on the National Board makes me an advocate for this amazing organization and to set a national example of the quality young professionals that study at FIU.”

This coming year, NSMH FIU will be in need of more E-Board members, and Suarez believes that this amazing opportunity would welcome more leaders into the world of NSMH.