Minaz Abji Donates $5,000 to the AH&LEF Annual Giving Campaign
AH&LEF Board Member Committed to Educating Tomorrow's Leaders
WASHINGTON, DC, September 19, 2009 - Minaz Abji, executive vice president of Host Hotels and Resorts, Inc., and vice president of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) board of directors, contributed $5,000 to the AH&LEF 2009 Annual Giving Campaign, which supports key research and workforce development initiatives for the hospitality industry. A 30-year hospitality veteran, Abji's six-diamond level contribution is his third personal donation to the campaign.
The Annual Giving Campaign is the Foundation's key yearly fundraiser that supports its core missions, including providing scholarships to hospitality management students, funding important research in areas such as room tax, energy management, and ADA requirements, as well as promoting hospitality as a career of choice and workforce development initiatives.
AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2009, AH&LEF will disburse $1.2 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for the industry. Since the Foundation's inception, more than $14 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.
"Minaz truly epitomizes an industry leader dedicated to the advancement of today's youth," said Joori Jeon, CPA, CAE, AH&LEF president and COO. "By making such a generous donation year after year to the Foundation's Annual Giving Campaign in addition to his volunteer work on the Foundation's board, he plays a crucial role in combating the industry's challenges and shaping the future's hospitality workforce."
All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org. For more information on Minaz or Host Hotels, visit www.hosthotels.com.
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