“Make a difference by creating long term value and growth.”
Leonard Gooz is a visionary brand strategist and hospitality executive currently serving as the Global Brand Head for Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the flagship and most iconic brand within the Hilton portfolio. With nearly a decade of leadership at Hilton and over two decades of cross-industry expertise, Leonard has dedicated his career to building industry leading brands, transforming customer experiences, accelerating product innovation, and driving growth across global markets. His work reflects a deep-rooted commitment to innovation, performance, growth, and the human spirit of hospitality.
In his current role, Leonard leads the strategic direction, performance, and global stewardship of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, overseeing more than 615 hotels across 100 countries. He partners with Hilton functional leaders, hotel owners, operators, and over 200,000 team members globally to activate Hilton’s vision and solidify its position as the undisputable #1 full service brand in the industry. Leonard’s influence and impact is evident in the brand’s performance, global brand awards, segment leading growth, and official ranking as the most valuable brand in the hospitality sector.
Previously, Leonard served as the Global Brand Head for Home2 Suites by Hilton, one of the fastest-growing upper mid-scale extended-stay brands in North America. Under his leadership, the brand won multiple industry awards, rapidly expanded its footprint to over 600 properties with thousands more in the pipeline—and initiated an ambitious growth strategy in China, Europe, and the Middle East. His ability to balance brand programming, rapid development, and operational excellence positioned Home2 Suites as a leader in the category.
Leonard’s impact at Hilton goes beyond brand management. As Vice President of Customer Experience & Innovation for Hilton’s Suites and Focused Service brands, he led initiatives across product development, design, food & beverage, and brand culture for over 4,700 hotels globally. His prior role as Senior Director of Global Brand Services and Innovation saw him bridging franchise and brand operations, creating mutual business value for Hilton and its franchise owners, while enhancing guest experience results across the portfolio.
Before joining Hilton, Leonard served in key advisory and corporate roles at EY, Gallup, and ADP. At EY, he led the financial services market strategy for the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, guiding business development, service execution and quality across major client verticals. At Gallup, he advised C-level teams of Fortune 500 clients across financial, consumer packaged goods, automotive and hospitality industries, helping transform organizational performance, and achieve industry leading customer experience ranking through data-driven customer and employee engagement strategies. His earlier leadership at ADP included regional sales and operations roles that deepened his experience with business execution and building scalable, customer-centric business models and winning teams.
Leonard’s career began with hands-on hospitality experience at Best Western and Loews hotels, along with an early internship at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reflecting his lifelong interest in international business and global affairs.
His academic background includes an MBA in International Business from American University, a BA in Political Science and History from Dordt University, and a certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University.
Leonard brings a multicultural perspective to his global leadership style. He has been recognized for his academic excellence and is known by colleagues to be a turnaround agent who leads with strategic clarity, authentic leadership, and a relentless commitment to brand integrity and performance.
At every stage of his career, Leonard Gooz has combined strategic thinking with a personal passion for creating exceptional experiences for customers, team members, and local communities. Whether guiding a legacy brand or launching a next-generation concept, he leads with empathy, insight, and an unwavering focus on delivering value to customers, owners, and shareholders.
Character
Leonard leads with empathy, curiosity, creativity and integrity, consistently championing a people-first approach that uplifts teams, builds trust with stakeholders, and reinforces Hilton’s culture of service and excellence.
Knowledge
With deep expertise across brand development, hospitality operations, customer experience, and global market expansion, Leonard brings a rich and versatile knowledge base sharpened by decades of executive leadership across multiple industries.
Strategic
Leonard’s strategic mindset is evident in his ability to scale brands globally, align stakeholder interests, and drive measurable growth by anticipating market shifts and building long-term value through thoughtful innovation.
Communication
Leonard is a clear, inspiring communicator who fosters alignment across cross-functional teams, strengthens owner and partner relationships, and energizes organizations with a shared vision of purpose-driven leadership.
