Lauren Maunder Receives 2026 Rising Star Award
The hospitality executive earns recognition for her leadership and growth within the Asia Pacific hotel sector.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hospitality
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants and the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific awarded Lauren Maunder the 2026 Rising Star Award Asia Pacific. The honor recognizes her professional leadership and significant impact on the industry.
Why it matters
The award serves to highlight emerging talent in the hospitality field who demonstrate exceptional career growth and professional influence. It supports the professional recognition of leaders under the age of 35 working in development or investment roles.
The award program, launched in 2014, mandates that nominees be 35 years or younger to qualify for selection. Maunder, currently a Financial Operations Controller, began her career in 2010 as a Food & Beverage Attendant.
The players
Lauren Maunder
She serves as the Financial Operations Controller at EVT Hotels & Resorts and was the recipient of the 2026 Rising Star Award Asia Pacific.
International Society of Hospitality Consultants
This professional organization focuses on the hospitality consulting industry and oversees the presentation of the Rising Star Award.
Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific
Also known as HICAP, this event brings together global industry leaders for investment and development discussions.
EVT Hotels & Resorts
This hospitality and entertainment company operates a wide range of hotel brands and leisure assets.
The details
Maunder oversees financial operations for the EVT Luxury & Urban division, having previously reached a Financial Controller position at the age of 25. The accolade was presented during the 36th edition of the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific.
Timeline
Lauren Maunder began her career at EVT in 2010.
The Rising Star Award Asia program was launched in 2014.
Lauren Maunder received the Rising Star Award on October 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
The recognition aligns with the International Society of Hospitality Consultants' Rising Star Award nomination criteria, which seek to formalize the advancement of young professionals. This trend highlights a broader competitive shift where firms prioritize internal leadership cultivation to retain talent.
As the hospitality industry elevates younger executives, travelers may experience shifts in operational focus and service quality as these new leaders implement internal strategies. These changes typically reflect broader corporate efforts to streamline financial management and improve guest experiences.
The takeaway
The recognition of young industry professionals underscores the importance of steady internal career growth paths within large hospitality organizations. Professionals looking to advance can look to this career trajectory as a benchmark for professional development milestones.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments within the sector in our Hospitality section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hotel News Resource.
