Katherine Lugar is Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Hilton, overseeing the company’s global communications, government affairs, and ESG and Foundation functions. Hilton is a leading hospitality company with a global portfolio spanning 22 brands and more than 7,300 properties. Lugar joined the company in 2023.
Prior to Hilton, Lugar served as the President and CEO of the American Beverage Association (ABA), where she was responsible for setting and executing the strategic vision for ABA and representing the industry’s voice on Capitol Hill, with the Administration and across the country. During her tenure, Lugar led comprehensive private sector and policy solutions to reduce the industry’s plastic footprint, reduce sugar from beverages in the American diet, and worked collaboratively with elected officials, NGOs and a broad array of stakeholders to drive the industry’s commitments. Lugar also served as President of the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America.
Prior to joining ABA, Lugar served as President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In this role, she revamped the association, leading to record membership, tripling revenue, sharply increasing the focus on advocacy and ensuring greater industry alignment and engagement.
Lugar began her career in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also has held positions as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Vice President of Government Relations for Travelers Insurance, and Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs for the National Retail Federation.
Lugar is the President of the Hilton Global Foundation and sits on the Boards of Directors of Bipartisan Policy Center Action and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Corporate Advisory Board member of So Others Might Eat (SOME). She previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private sector funder of pediatric cancer research, and on the Board of Directors for Watermark Lodging Trust (Chair, Compensation Committee). She has been recognized as a “Leader to Watch” by the Washington Post, a top lobbyist by The Hill, and one of Washington, D.C.’s “Most Influential People” and “Washington’s Most Powerful Women” by Washingtonian.