Hali is a junior at the Hotel School focusing on Food & Beverage Operations, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship. Originally from Switzerland and the US, she grew up in Dubai, UAE for 13 years. Hali has felt at home in the kitchen from a young age, cooking with her dad (a former chef) and baking with her mom. Her passion for hospitality was sparked by experimenting in the kitchen and serving her family and friends. She discovered her interest in Hotel Operations through her internships at the Shangri La Dubai and FIVE Palm Jumeirah Resort focusing on F&B and Event Planning respectively. Hali works at Taverna Banfi in the Statler Hotel through the Hotel Leadership Development Program and is working towards becoming a supervisor.  

Hali came to the Hotel School knowing that she wanted to become a part of Hotel Ezra Cornell. She has served on the Culinary Team for two years prior to becoming a director, first as a Function Manager for HEC 96, then as the Assistant Director of External Logistics for HEC 97. Her passions within HEC include creating allergen-friendly options for guests and repurposing food waste. Hali is looking forward to creatively implementing the conference theme into the F&B offerings this year.

Outside of HEC, Hali serves as the Executive Vice President of the School of Hotel Administration (SHA) Ambassadors and Member of the Food and Beverage Society. She is a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board focusing on sustainability initiatives as well as being on the Leadership team for Christian Union. She is also a TA for two Hotel School courses. Hali enjoys spending time outdoors, strolling through the Ithaca farmer’s market, working with children, and being an active member of Cornell’s Christian community.