Monique Donahue, CHT, CMHS, CGSP
Vice President, Research & Development
With over 18 years of experience in the field of instructional design and technology-based education—the majority dedicated to the hospitality industry—Monique directs the development of all off-the-shelf and customized industry training programs for the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), a nonprofit member benefit of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).
Since joining the AHLEI team in 1997, Monique has designed and developed curriculum and instructional materials for major hospitality corporations in all areas of lodging and related industries, including restaurants, casinos, and theme parks, in addition to customized international programs for destinations such as Egypt, China, India, and the Caribbean. Organizations (and their brand families) she has worked with during her AHLEI tenure include:
- Air Force Lodging
- American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
- Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
- Best Western International
- Carlson Hotels Worldwide
- Choice Hotels International
- Council of Hotel & Restaurant Trainers (CHART)
- Darden Restaurants
- Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts (Yosemite National Park)
- Gaylord Hotels
- Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels Group
- Interstate Hotels & Resorts
- Marriott International
- National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
- NYLO Hotels
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pyramid Hotel Group
- Rosen College of Hospitality Management (University of Central Florida)
- Safemark Systems
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts
- Station Casinos
- Tecton Hospitality
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. National Park Service
- Walt Disney World (Walt Disney Parks & Resorts/Disney University)
- Wyndham Worldwide
- and other brands, management companies, independent properties, universities, and AH&LA partner state associations.
Monique’s work spans the full spectrum of hospitality positions from front line staff through management training, as well as high school and workforce development programs. She has developed and managed the production of training and certification programs for a variety of delivery media including instructor-led, print, multiple Telly Award-winning videos, online (synchronous and asynchronous), blended learning solutions, and emerging platforms such as mobile and social learning.
In her current role as a member of the senior leadership team, Monique directs the overall industry product development strategy for AHLEI, oversees a team of instructional designers and production staff, and is responsible for project, client, and vendor management. She is hands-on in all phases of the Instructional Systems Design (ISD) process from concept through final delivery and implementation; recruits industry subject matter experts (SMEs) to advise on program content; consults with and writes proposals for custom client training projects; serves as the senior point-of-contact for clients and SMEs throughout the training development cycle; evaluates business partnership opportunities; conducts industry research to identify training needs, business issues, and trends; steers AHLEI’s Training & Education Advisory Council; represents AHLEI at various client and industry events; and served on the internal Learning Management System (LMS) selection and implementation team.
Prior to joining AHLEI, Monique gained her training development experience primarily in the retail industry and with state and federal government contractors. As Instructional Development Coordinator at Miller Enterprises, Inc., she produced interactive, multimedia computer-based training programs for retail convenience store employees and presented her work as an industry pioneer to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Human Resources committee. Previous projects include work for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Florida Department of Education.
Monique earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Tufts University and has completed graduate-level coursework toward a Master of Science degree in industrial/organizational psychology at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She holds the Certified Hospitality Trainer, Certified Master Hotel Supplier, and Certified Guest Service Professional designations from the Educational Institute.
Monique is a current member of the eLearning Guild, the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), and the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART), and has formerly served on the UCF Instructional Systems Advisory Council. She has published in Hotel Management magazine and the eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine, and was a contributing author to Best of The eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions: Top Articles from the eMagazine’s First Five Years. She presents regularly on the topics of instructional design, e-learning, and mobile learning.