WASHINGTON (December 8, 2015) - Nancy Johnson, CHA, past chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), donated $5,000 for the fourth consecutive year to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) Annual Giving Campaign. Johnson, an AH&LEF board member, has been a supporter of the Foundation and its Annual Giving Campaign for more than a decade.

The Annual Giving Campaign is AH&LEFs key yearly fundraising initiative supported solely by the hospitality sector. Initiated in 1997, the program generates funds for AH&LEFs core programs that provide hospitality management students with academic scholarships, offer grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promote hospitality as a career of choice.

"One of my biggest priorities is ensuring the lodging industry attracts the best and brightest to its workforce" said Johnson. "Through the important work of the Foundation, including scholarships and workforce development initiatives, future hoteliers receive the training and support they need to excel in our industry."

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2015, AH&LEF anticipates disbursing more than $1.2 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for lodging properties. Since the Foundations inception, more than $19 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

Support the Foundation by helping to fund the future of the lodging industry. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org.