Kempinski Hotels has appointed Hoda Tahoun as its new Chief Talent Officer.
In her role, Ms Tahoun will oversee the company’s global talent strategy, reinforcing its commitment to attracting, developing and retaining top-tier talent. This strategic move supports the Group’s journey to thoughtfully grow and reposition the iconic 127-year-old brand under the leadership of Barbara Muckermann, Kempinski’s Group Chief Executive Officer.“I am thrilled to welcome Hoda to the senior leadership team at Kempinski Hotels,” said Barbara Muckermann, Chief Executive of Kempinski Group.
“Her broad skill set and insightful, collaborative perspective will be invaluable to our company. In a highly competitive recruiting landscape with insufficient worker supply, our priority is to gain a competitive advantage in attracting, developing and retaining top-tier talent across the organisation. Hoda will be instrumental in leading these initiatives and making strategic human capital decisions impacting our business and sustainable growth.”
In her newly-created role – reporting to Chief Human Resources Officer Karin Raguin – Ms Tahoun will lead the enhancement of capabilities in executive talent strategy, recruitment, development and organisational design to ensure the entire organisation progresses toward its business goals. This will include working alongside the Executive Leadership Team to create processes that optimise recruitment, as well as build relationships for candidate pipelining, development, and succession planning, and manage short and long-term staffing requirements.
“At Kempinski, our people are the heartbeat of our timeless legacy – champions of excellence and the soul behind every enchanting guest experience,” said Karin Raguin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kempinski Hotels.
“Hoda brings a wealth of expertise and a visionary approach to talent strategy that will be instrumental as we deepen our presence in the ultra-luxury space. I am excited to partner with her in nurturing a culture of belonging, mastery, and growth – one where every individual feels empowered to flourish, contribute meaningfully, and bring our extraordinary heritage to life.”
With a distinguished career spanning over 27 years in talent management and human resources, Ms Tahoun brings a wealth of expertise in shaping high-performing teams and fostering a culture of excellence. She comes to us from Russell Reynolds Associates, where she served as the Global Leader of the Leisure & Hospitality Practice. In this role, she specialised in recruiting dynamic C-suite leaders for global hospitality, travel, and leisure companies. She provided advice to clients on talent management and leadership training, focusing on positions such as CEO, C-suite executives, and other high-level roles. She also offered guidance on customer-centric, go-to-market leadership positions, including Chief Marketing Officers and Chief Experience Officers.
Previously, Ms Tahoun worked for a boutique executive search firm, rising to Principal, where she collaborated with hotel management companies, cruise lines, and private equity firms. She also served as Assistant Vice President at SHUAA Capital in Dubai, leading the firm’s investment banking efforts, and held positions at American Express, Bank of America, and Citi.
She holds a BS in Finance from Rutgers University and an MBA in International Business and Finance from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University.
“I feel privileged to join Kempinski Hotels at such an exciting time of transformation and growth,” said Hoda Tahoun, Chief Talent Officer, Kempinski Hotels.
“The company’s dedication to excellence, craftsmanship and people-centric culture is truly inspiring. I look forward to working closely with our teams to cultivate an exceptional workplace culture, one that not only attracts the best talent in the industry but also empowers them to thrive, innovate, and deliver extraordinary guest experiences.”
