Jeff Semenchuk Joins Hyatt as Chief Innovation Officer

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Jeff Semenchuk as its first chief innovation officer.

He will be based at Hyatt headquarters in Chicago, and will report to both John Wallis, global head of marketing and brand strategy and chief marketing officer, and to Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer.

In his new role at Hyatt, Semenchuk will lead the company’s enterprise-wide, cross-functional efforts to establish a process of innovation that yields new experiences, offerings, and ways of operating that are expected to generate significant value for guests and owners.

With more than 25 years of experience as a corporate innovator, Semenchuk has played key strategic roles for companies in industries ranging from financial services to pharmaceuticals, most recently serving as a founder and managing director of Citigroup’s global Growth Ventures & Innovation unit. He was head of global innovation at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, has founded four start-ups and worked as a corporate consultant, including serving as a senior advisor with the Monitor Group.

“Hyatt has a long heritage of innovation, a reputation for introducing new concepts and service models to the hospitality industry, and a commitment to becoming the most preferred brand in each segment we serve,” said Hoplamazian. “Appointing a chief innovation officer demonstrates our determination to differentiate our brands by developing new, relevant ways of providing great guest experiences and delivering authentic hospitality. Jeff is a seasoned executive who combines discipline and creativity and I’m delighted to welcome him to the Hyatt family.”

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