Naveen Kakarla is the President and Chief Executive Officer and also on the Board of Directors of HHM, formerly known as Hersha Hospitality Management. HHM manages over 150 hotels with concentration in major markets such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Texas. Naveen is responsible for HHM’s investment and fund management, acquisitions and development, finance and accounting, human resources, and capital projects.

Naveen launched HHM’s luxury and lifestyle division, which includes the Independent Collection (“iC”) of three and four star hotels and resorts in gateway markets from coast to coast. He prior led the New York City region for HHM and also oversaw its development and construction division. Outside the real estate sector, Naveen was previously a partner specializing in corporate and securities law at the national law firm of Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C., and was previously associated with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer Feld, LLP in Washington D.C. Naveen earned a Bachelor of Arts from Austin College and a law degree from Cornell Law School. Prior to joining HHM in 2005, Naveen worked with two private equity and early stage investments.

Naveen is a board trustee at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital System, which includes the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He also serves on the corporate board of the Barnes Foundation Museum and is an active member of the Young President’s Organization.