Presenting 2025 Hotelie Hall of Fame Story - Rising Star: Rani Bernstein '19
An excerpt from Rani's story...
Rani Bernstein is the Lead Recruiting Manager for U.S. and Canada University Relations at Marriott International. With a strong passion for hospitality, Rani strives to demystify career paths and serve as a trusted resource for students and early-career professionals—whether or not they pursue a future with Marriott.
Raised in Rochester, New York, Rani grew up with a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of the impact of empathy. At the age of 15, she began working at a local pizza shop, a formative experience that sparked her love for hospitality—a field she was excited to learn, one that blended with her values of hard work and caring for others.
A family friend introduced her to Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, and after a visit that included a meeting with career services advisor Heather Fortenberry, she knew she had found the place for her.