About Us

Nicole Xie is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bellereer, a leadership and mentorship platform created to elevate careers and empower the next generation of hospitality professionals. With extensive experience in luxury hospitality sales, marketing, business development, and leadership strategy, Nicole is passionate about helping individuals grow with confidence, purpose, and long-term success.

Inspired by the belief that true hospitality leadership is built through mentorship, personal growth, and meaningful support, Nicole founded Bellereer to provide personalized education, leadership development, and career advancement opportunities for both domestic and international hospitality professionals. Through Bellereer, she is committed to shaping a more inspiring, people-focused future for the global hospitality industry.

Karri Urode serves as Chief Talent & Career Development Officer, leading mentorship, talent development, and career advancement initiatives designed to support future hospitality professionals and leaders. Passionate about people development and leadership growth, Karri helps individuals build confidence, strengthen professional skills, and navigate meaningful career paths within the hospitality industry.

Through mentorship, coaching, and workforce readiness support, she is committed to empowering individuals to grow with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

Amy Sui serves as Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in program management, technology, finance, and operational excellence. With leadership experience at Raytheon and RTX, Amy is recognized for driving complex transformation initiatives, improving operational efficiency, and building scalable systems that support long-term growth.

At Bellereer, Amy oversees operational strategy, organizational alignment, and enterprise execution, helping ensure the organization grows with structure, agility, and purpose while supporting the development of future hospitality leaders.

Michael Beck serves as Chief Experience & Operations Officer, bringing decades of hospitality leadership experience in operations, guest experience, and service excellence. Known for his people-focused leadership style and operational expertise, Michael has built high-performing teams and helped create exceptional hospitality experiences throughout his career.

At Bellereer, he oversees operational standards, service excellence, and leadership development initiatives designed to support meaningful growth and elevate the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Lily Feng serves as Chief Financial Officer, bringing a strong background in finance, business operations, and hospitality leadership. With years of experience in hotel operations and financial management, she provides strategic oversight in budgeting, operational planning, and long-term organizational growth.

Known for her analytical mindset and people-focused leadership style, Lily supports Bellereer’s mission by helping build a strong financial and operational foundation that empowers future hospitality professionals and leaders to grow with confidence and purpose.

Mary Claghorn serves as Marketing Director, leading brand strategy, marketing initiatives, and audience engagement efforts designed to elevate Bellereer’s visibility and impact within the hospitality industry. With a passion for storytelling, brand development, and meaningful connection, Mary brings a creative and strategic approach to building an inspiring and people-focused brand.

Her expertise in marketing strategy, communications, relationship management, and digital engagement helps position Bellereer as a forward-thinking leadership and mentorship platform dedicated to empowering future hospitality professionals and leaders.

Chin Ma serves as an Advisory Board Member, bringing extensive experience in business strategy, technology innovation, operational transformation, and global leadership development. With more than a decade of experience at Deloitte and as the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of CHRP Technologies, Chin offers valuable expertise in organizational growth, process optimization, and scalable business solutions.

His background in consulting, entrepreneurship and international business management provides Bellereer with a strong strategic perspective on leadership development, innovation, and long-term growth in an evolving global industry.

Serena Harkey serves as an Advisory Board Member, bringing extensive experience in luxury hospitality, restaurant and club operations, guest experience, and wine education. A Certified Sommelier and former General Manager at Cowboys Club, with a strong background in high-end hospitality environments, Serena is passionate about service excellence, leadership development, and creating meaningful guest experiences.

Her expertise in food & beverage operations, luxury service standards, and relationship-driven hospitality provides valuable insight to Bellereer’s mission of developing confident, people-focused hospitality leaders prepared to thrive in today’s evolving industry.

 Ryan Bertolino is an accomplished hospitality, events, and experiential leader with more than 20 years of experience creating exceptional experiences for Fortune 100 companies, luxury brands, leading hotels, professional sports organizations, and global associations. As President and Creative Director of Event Mechanics Co., he has successfully built and led a destination management and event production company, earning industry recognition for creativity and excellence. As a Bellereer Advisory Board Member, Ryan brings expertise in entrepreneurship, business growth, experiential strategy, hospitality partnerships, and client development, helping Bellereer expand its reach, strengthen partnerships, and create meaningful experiences for future hospitality leaders. 

 Teresa Natera is an accomplished community builder, event and programming leader, and relationship strategist with a passion for creating meaningful connections that turn into opportunities. Through out her career, she curates elevated experiences that bring together leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and creatives, fostering authentic relationships and lasting partnerships in over two decades. She is also the Founder of Core Talent, where she has built a successful relationship-driven approach to talent representation and career development. As a Bellereer Advisory Board Member, Teresa brings expertise in strategic relationship building, experiential programming, community engagement, partnerships, and talent development, helping Bellereer create powerful connections, expand its network, and open doors for the professionals and leaders it serves. 

  Julie Roberts is an accomplished hospitality, leadership, and guest experience professional with more than 27 years of experience spanning luxury hospitality, entertainment, professional sports, and destination experiences. A former pageant winner, Julie has worked with iconic brands and organizations including the NFL, NASCAR, Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Resorts, Biltmore Estate, and Miss America. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for relationship building, professional presence, service excellence, and creating memorable experiences. As a Bellereer Advisory Board Member, Julie brings valuable expertise in leadership development, women empowerment, professional excellence, hospitality, and relationship building, helping Bellereer inspire confidence, elevate future leaders, and create meaningful experiences and connections.