Saun Lightbourne is currently the executive director of Sales & Marketing at the iconic Mayfair Hotel and Spa, in Miami, FL. Here, he is spearheading all of the sales and marketing execution in support of the multi-million dollar re-launch and repositioning of the hotel, which was completed in September 2012. Lightbourne’s responsibilities include overseeing the Mayfair’s marketing communications, convention and luxury leisure sales, public relations, advertising, and e-commerce. His expertise also includes business development, comprehensive market communication, luxury group/business travel, as well as lifestyle and destination event production.

Over the past 18 years, Lightbourne has held positions at many highly regarded properties, including director of Sales and Marketing at Menin Hotels and at the Clift, a Morgans original hotel. He was also director of Sales & Marketing for the Eden Roc Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa in Miami Beach, FL, a position he held for five years after rising through the ranks from senior sales manager. Lightbourne continues to excel in sales and marketing because of his leadership skills, enthusiasm and determination to succeed.

Since embarking on his hospitality career path, Lightbourne received multiple accolades for his outstanding sales/ marketing and service achievements including multiple Marriott/Renaissance Sales Pinnacle Award, Alice A. Marriott Spirit Award for Outstanding Customer Service, the Top Fundraiser Award for the Children’s Miracle Network Torch Relay and being honored as Outstanding Sales-Director of Sales & Marketing. In 2011, Ocean Drive magazine named Lightbourne a “Rising Star” “Beach Patrol” for his dedication and commitment to outstanding service in the hospitality industry and many community involvements. Network Miami magazine has named him one of Miami’s “40 Under 40 Most Influential Black Business Professionals” and the Mayor of Miami Beach honored his professional and charitable service by presenting him a “Key to the City of Miami Beach”. He has also graced the cover of Tropical Tribune magazine and most recently Lightbourne was named top finalist for the South Florida Business Journal 2010 Up & Comers Awards under the discipline of Advertising/Marketing/PR. His long-term goal is to become a general manager of a luxury hotel and one day own and operate his own hotel.

Lightbourne has been passionate about the hospitality and tourism industry since he was a young man, and has more than 18 years of dedicated experience in the field of sales. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Hotel Management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and completed advanced executive studies at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Management.

Lightbourne currently resides in Sunny Isles Beach and is an active member of the Greater Miami & Beaches community and many professional organizations. He is very active with the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), and hosts an annual birthday extravaganza that raises thousands of dollars for the CMN Torch Relay, directly supporting research and development for children’s health causes at Miami Children’s Hospital. Lightbourne shapes and models his life in line with the Rotary International mission statement – “Service above self, he profits the most who serves the best.”