Our Story

Founder & CEO

David is the visionary behind HGA with a unique understanding of culture, design and concepting along with world-class business acumen. His strategic leadership enables the company to complete complex projects with innovative solutions. David is a veteran of the hospitality and gaming industry, with experience in over $20 billion of financial transactions. He has held leadership positions with some of the most ground breaking hotel and gaming companies in the industry.

In addition to his experience in HGA David served as Chief Investment Officer and CFO for Turnberry Associates and Fontainebleau Miami JV LLC, after serving as CFO of the Americas at InterContinental Hotels (IHG). As the former CFO of Kerzner International Resorts (best known for Atlantis Paradise Island and One and Only Resorts), David directed development in resort, gaming, water park, retail, vacation ownership, and residential real estate, playing a pivotal role in the company's multi-billion privatization and associated financing.

As CFO of Ian Schrager Hotels he managed the company's most rapid expansion period including opening hotels domestically and internationally. He has previously worked as SVP of Finance for Hilton Hotels, overseeing all hotels worldwide and has 17 years experience with Marriott International.

David has served on several boards including Avendra, Windsor Capital Group, joint ventures with Starwood Vacation Ownership, Turnberry Residential and Kerzner International. He is a trustee at the Landmark School and a member of the Arts and Science Advisory board at Bentley University. David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy from Bentley University and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Partner

Anna’s experience in the hospitality and gaming industry focuses on balancing vision, strategy and concepting with asset valuation. Anna’s background includes hotel development, financial planning and investment analysis and F&B services.

In 2009, Anna began her consulting career by assisting HGA in the debt restructuring and operations at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach, Florida. In 2011 Anna became a partner in HGA and has been a key contributor in the company's international and domestic projects. Anna was contracted by Ian Schrager to assist with two private labels, the asset management and sale of the PUBLIC Hotel Chicago and the opening of the PUBLIC Hotel New York City.

Prior to consulting, Anna oversaw InterContinental Hotel’s (IHG) financial planning and investment analysis team for the Americas, which supported more than 3,200 hotels and included the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, StayBridge, Candlewood, Indigo and Holiday Vacation Club brands. Before IHG, she was VP Financial Planning and Analysis for Kerzner International Resorts, where she was a key contributor in Atlantis’ $1 billion expansion on Paradise Island and led feasibility for the development of Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, Morocco, various One and Only acquisitions and contributed to many proposed projects including Sentosa Island, Singapore and a casino JV with MGM in Las Vegas. Prior to Kerzner, Ms. Gomez worked in corporate roles at Ian Schrager Hotels and Hilton Hotels and Resorts expanding upon her hotel level experience with Marriott International where she started her career.

Ms. Gomez received her B.S. in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida and a Masters degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She also completed graduate studies at the University of Oxford, England.

CFO

Cindy Jenkins, a strategic financial executive with a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, known for her technical expertise, business acumen, and impressive track record of accomplishments. With a strong foundation in operations management, team building, and transformational leadership, Cindy has consistently driven financial performance and business growth across various roles. ​​

Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for Hospitality Gaming Advisors, Cindy is a key player in growing the advisory business and hotel development projects. Her role involves strategic financial planning, business development, and leading high-impact initiatives that drive profitability and expansion. ​

Prior to her current role, Cindy was the Head of Operations Finance for the Luxury & Lifestyle division at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). In this position, she partnered with key stakeholders to drive profitability and performance improvement plans and was the finance lead for several system implementations, including a move from ADP to Oracle payroll. Her previous roles at IHG included Head of Finance for Company Managed Hotels in the Americas, where she oversaw financial performance for properties generating approximately $1.4 billion in revenue. In addition to her roles at IHG, Cindy represented the IHG Brand serving as a Global Finance Committee Member for the Uniform System of Accounts 12th Edition (USALI) rewrite, showcasing her deep industry knowledge and influence. ​

Cindy's hospitality career began at Kerzner International, where she held various finance roles, including Director of Financial Planning & Analysis. ​ She was instrumental in major projects such as the $4.9 billion privatization effort and the financial setup of new businesses in the Bahamas, Dubai, and Morocco. ​Cindy Jenkins holds a reputation for her strong communication skills, visionary strategic planning, and ability to lead high-performing teams.

Food, Beverage and Programming

Laura has over 15 years of experience with Food and Beverage, Lifestyle, Branding and Entertainment for highly innovative brands including Soho House & Co., HEI Hotels & Resorts, EDITION Hotels, PUBLIC Hotels, Morgans Hotel Group and Ian Schrager Hotels.

Laura is recognized as an innovator who merges vision, programming and operations to establish the tone for a brand’s success. She has led restaurant, bar and nightclub openings and repositionings in key markets including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Hawaii, and Istanbul.

Laura joined Soho House & Co. as Head of New York Operations. Previously, she managed 65 properties for HEI Hotels as Corporate Director of Restaurants, Bars and Nightlife. Laura began her career in hospitality working for Ian Schrager, later joining Marriott International to help launch EDITION Hotels, a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott International. After launching EDITION, she rejoined Ian to launch his PUBLIC Hotel brand as Corporate Director of Nightlife and Special Events.

Under Laura’s leadership, EDITION was nominated for a Virtuoso Award for Best Bar in the World, a first for Marriott International. Also, the Nightclub and Bar Media Group recognized PUBLIC as one of the Top 100 Bars. Laura has been featured in multiple publications such as Eater Magazine and Tasting Panel.

Laura attended DePauw University as a Bonner Scholar, focusing on Asian Studies and Music.

Asset Management and Investment Analysis

Marina Kostic, CHAM, is an asset management, investment analysis and financial planning expert with nearly 20 years of domestic and international experience. She specializes in strategic, operational and financial advisory support as well as feasibility analysis, valuations and financial modeling.

Most recently Ms. Kostic served as a Vice President of Asset Management with Xenia Hotels & Resorts. Marina asset managed a portfolio of large and complex full-service luxury and upper-upscale hotels, totaling almost 3,000 rooms and generating over $100M in annual EBIDTA. She was led strategic asset management initiatives related to revenue and market share optimization, profit maximization, and capital improvements to maximize the hotels' performance and investors' returns.

Prior to Xenia, Ms. Kostic was Vice President, Head of Asset Management, North America at L+R Hotels, a UK-based private equity firm, where Ms. Kostic managed a portfolio of full-service upper-upscale hotels operating under Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Accor brands totaling almost 6,000 rooms and generating over $50M in EBIDTA annually.

Her extensive career also includes key asset management positions at Driftwood Capital, Turnberry Associates, and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., alongside project management at HVS International.

Marina Kostic holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Belarusian State Economic University, Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University with a concentration in Real Estate Investments and Finance, and a Master in Real Estate and Infrastructure from Johns Hopkins University. Marina is a member of HAMA (Hotel Asset Management Association) and received a prestigious CHAM (Certified Hotel Asset Manager) designation. Marina also holds Real Estate Sales License in Florida.

Market Research and Data Analyst

Claudio Gomez brings a rare combination of analytical expertise and real-world industry experience to Hospitality & Gaming Advisors. He specializes in market research, financial and operational analysis, delivering data-driven insights that guide strategic decision-making for clients across the United States—including California, New York, Tennessee, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina—as well as international markets.

With a background in Computer Science and Accounting from Florida Atlantic University, Claudio blends technical proficiency with financial acumen. His work spans multiple disciplines, from applying artificial intelligence in market research to providing comprehensive financial and operational evaluations.

Before joining Hospitality & Gaming Advisors, Claudio built a strong foundation in hospitality through 15 years in Front Office and Food & Beverage operations with Marriott Hotels across South Florida, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. He later expanded his expertise during 14 years with Volkswagen of America, where he excelled as an Internet/Fleet Sales Manager and Finance Manager, refining his skills in customer engagement and sales strategy.

This diverse background—bridging hospitality operations, corporate sales, and advanced analytics—allows Claudio to approach every client engagement with a well-rounded perspective. He combines operational insight with strategic foresight, ensuring clients receive solutions that are both practical and forward-looking.