Marriott appoints Rena Reiss as executive VP and general counsel

Marriott International, Inc. has appointed Rena Hozore Reiss as executive vice president and general counsel, reporting to president and chief executive officer Arne Sorenson and serving as a member of the company’s executive team.

Reiss was most recently executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. A Marriott veteran, having served in the company’s law department from 2000 to 2010, Reiss last held the position of senior vice president and associate general counsel.

“We’re delighted to welcome Reiss back to Marriott leading our legal function,” said Arne Sorenson. “Reiss’ extensive global and broad leadership experience combined with her 17 years in the hospitality industry will be a tremendous complement to our world-class legal team.”

In her most recent role, Reiss led a global legal team with offices in Chicago, Zurich, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Delhi supporting all facets of Hyatt’s business, including worldwide development, compliance and governance, operations, litigation, brand and marketing, intellectual property, and information technology. 

She also oversaw the company’s risk management team and corporate transactions group. Prior to joining Hyatt, Reiss held positions of responsibility as a member and leader of the Marriott International legal team supporting the company’s development efforts in the Americas region.

Prior to joining Marriott, Reiss was a partner at Counts & Kanne, Chartered, in Washington, DC and served as an associate general counsel for the Miami Herald Publishing Company.

“I have a special place in my heart for Marriott – the company that introduced me to hospitality – and am thrilled to be coming back to help navigate the company during such an exciting time in its evolution,” said Reiss.

“I’m looking forward to partnering with Sorenson and his leadership team to continue to grow the company’s global footprint and I am privileged to have the opportunity to lead an outstanding legal team and build on Ed Ryan’s legacy.”

Reiss received her AB from Princeton University and her JD from Harvard Law School. She sits on the Georgetown University Hospitality Law Advisory Board, was Hyatt’s representative on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and was named a 2017 ‘Transformative Leader’ by Inside Counsel.

Reiss succeeds Ed Ryan, Marriott’s general counsel since 2006, who recently announced his retirement.