Sunny Joseph
General Manager
Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2025 Historic Hotels Annual Conference
Sunny Joseph is the General Manager of the iconic Fairmont Olympic Hotel, a 450-room luxury landmark located in the heart of downtown Seattle. Since assuming the role in 2020, Sunny has led the hotel through a period of significant transformation, including navigating the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic and overseeing the successful repositioning of the property following a $25 million renovation of the lobby and food & beverage venues in 2021.
With more than 33 years of international hospitality experience, Sunny brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to excellence. His career with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts spans over two decades, marked by progressive leadership roles across Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Before joining Fairmont Olympic, he served as General Manager of Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, where he launched a highly anticipated culinary concept and revitalized the hotel’s public spaces.
Sunny began his career in Food & Beverage operations, managing restaurants and bars in Dubai and Melbourne. He joined Fairmont Dubai in 2003, advancing through key F&B roles before relocating to Canada in 2010. He held senior operations leadership positions at Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where he played a dual role as Interim General Manager and Director of Operations, overseeing key renovations. In 2015, he was appointed Hotel Manager at Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, leading the property’s multimillion-dollar room renovation and repositioning initiative.
A passionate advocate for Seattle’s tourism and hospitality industry, Sunny serves on the boards of Visit Seattle and the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area (STIA), helping to shape the city’s future as a world-class travel destination.
Sunny is known for his strategic vision, people-first leadership, and unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Von Fabella
Director of Sales
Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2025 Historic Hotels Annual Conference
Von Fabella, CMP is a seasoned hospitality executive with over two decades of experience across diverse hotel brands and markets. He currently holds the position of Director of Sales at Fairmont Olympic Hotel, a role he assumed in August 2024 following his successful tenure in Denver, Colorado, where he played a pivotal role in opening a luxury boutique hotel as Director of Sales and Marketing.
Von commenced his career in Hotel Inter-Continental Chicago in Food and Beverage operations before transitioning into Sales and Marketing, where he has since demonstrated consistent leadership and strategic acumen. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in the opening and development of several prominent hotel properties in Chicago and the greater Midwest region.
A dedicated and forward-thinking leader, Von is deeply passionate about the hospitality industry and remains committed to cultivating talent and guiding the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Jenn Lennon
Director, Catering and Conference Services
Host Committee, 2025 Historic Hotels Annual Conference
Jenn Lennon, CMP is an experienced hospitality industry expert with over two decades of experience. As the Director of Event Sales and Services, she orchestrates every facet of our Event Sales department, lending her expertise to countless remarkable events, groups, conference programs, and unforgettable meetings at our legendary hotel.
Jenn’s journey with the Fairmont brand began in 2005, and she has since been an integral part of our team, having also contributed her talents to iconic properties like the Fairmont Chicago and Fairmont Copley Plaza. Hailing from Ontario, Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Southern New Hampshire University and a Hotel, Resort, Restaurant Administration Diploma from Canadore College.
A passionate and visionary leader, Jenn is deeply committed to the hospitality and events industry, focusing on developing talent and mentoring the next generation of hospitality specialists.
Chef Eraj Jayawickreme
Director of Culinary
Host Committee, 2025 Historic Hotels Annual Conference
Eraj Jayawickreme, affectionately known as “e,” a culinary virtuoso whose journey into the world of cooking began at the tender age of 10. Raised by parents who instilled in him a deep appreciation for both food and hard work, Eraj’s passion for the culinary arts was ignited by the TV cooking shows of the early 90s.
Despite his early enthusiasm, Eraj’s parents, wary of kitchen mishaps, limited his initial culinary experiments to an electric skillet. However, his love for food continued to flourish, and by the age of thirteen, he had already set his sights on becoming a chef.
Eraj’s true initiation into the culinary realm occurred at the age of 15 when he joined the King Edward Hotel as a third cook. Here, he acquired the foundational skills and principles that still underpin his cooking today. Above all, he learned the importance of respecting food and employing time-honored techniques to coax the fullest flavors from ingredients.
With over three decades of experience, Eraj has honed his craft in some of North America’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels. He even had the opportunity to launch and manage his own restaurant, focusing on a modern kitchen concept rooted in organization, discipline, and teamwork. Eraj’s culinary approach is characterized by grace, intelligence, and a delicate touch, effortlessly executing classic flavors.
Currently serving as the Director of Culinary at the Fairmont Olympic in Seattle, Eraj oversees culinary operations across all seven brands and divisions, including Shuckers, The George, Founders Club, Olympic Bar, 4th Avenue Coffee, Room Service, and Events, as well as sustainability initiatives such as our rooftop garden and a honeybee apiary program.
When asked about his food philosophy, Eraj, with an infectious smile, quips that nine out of ten people love his creations; it’s just that the tenth person might have spoiled their appetite before supper. His core belief remains simple yet profound: “Respect the things you eat, and the people you feed.”
Pauline Suryana
Director of Operations
Host Committee, 2025 Historic Hotels Annual Conference
Pauline Suryana is an accomplished hospitality executive with over 26 years of experience in luxury hotel operations across North America and the Caribbean. A results-driven hospitality professional, she has held senior leadership roles in premier Fairmont properties throughout Canada, the United States, and Barbados. Pauline is known for her ability to drive service excellence, foster high-performing teams, and deliver consistent financial and operational results.
Her career spans city hotels, ultra-luxury resorts, and complex mixed-use properties, with expertise in full-service operations including Rooms, F&B, Security, and Engineering. She has led transformative initiatives such as preopening, reopening and repositioning properties post-pandemic, renovations, conversions, launching artist-in-residence programs, and implementing innovative upsell strategies.
Currently serving as the Director of Operations at the iconic Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle—recently named Best Hotel in Seattle by Condé Nast Traveler—Pauline supports a collaborative executive team focused on elevating guest experiences and achieving operational excellence. Her previous leadership at Fairmont Winnipeg, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has earned accolades for guest satisfaction, colleague engagement, and community partnerships.
Pauline holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, USA and a Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Administration from Centennial College, Canada. She is also a graduate of Fairmont’s NCA Executive Leaders Learning Journey and AHLA’s ForWard ELEVATE program.
Whether managing multimillion-dollar budgets or leading cross-functional teams, Pauline brings passion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to service culture, making special happen—one guest, one interaction at a time.