Jagruti Panwala Wins AHLA Foundation Castell Award

Jagruti Panwala, president and CEO of Wealth Protection Strategies and American Hotel & Lodging Association Executive Committee member, was named the 2026 recipient of the AHLA Foundation's Peggy Berg Castell Award [1]. Panwala will accept the annual honor on Oct. 7 at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix [1].

Who selected Jagruti Panwala for the honor?

An independent group of industry leaders selected Panwala as the seventh recipient of the annual recognition, according to Hotel Business [1]. The award honors the career-long work of Castell Project founder Peggy Berg, who established the non-profit organization to help women advance into leadership positions across the hospitality business [1], [2]. As Asian Hospitality reported, the award recognizes principled female leaders who advance gender equity and open paths for future generations to secure executive roles [2].

What roles has Panwala held across the lodging business?

Panwala built her career as a small-business hotel owner-operator who worked in nearly every operational discipline across property management [1]. Her front-line experience spans maintenance, housekeeping, bookkeeping, and general management [1]. Beyond her hotel assets, she serves as president and CEO of Wealth Protection Strategies [1]. Her governance background includes serving on the AHLA board of directors and serving as the first chairwoman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) [2]. Currently, she serves on the AHLA Executive Committee and its Hotel PAC Advisory Council [1].

How does Panwala advocate for hotel operators?

Panwala has represented hotel owners and operators before municipal bodies and federal legislators, testifying on Capitol Hill on behalf of the lodging trade [1], [2]. She has led press conferences and multi-operator coalitions while presenting at universities, policy forums, and national lodging conferences [1], [2]. Her policy presentations focus directly on how regulations affect small businesses and the broader contribution of travel and tourism to the American economy [1]. She is also a vocal supporter of the AHLA Foundation's FORWARD initiative, an effort designed to build professional community, establish leadership tracks, and produce industry events that support women [1].

Who are the recent recipients of the Castell Award?

Panwala joins a lineage of senior lodging executives recognized by the AHLA Foundation [1], [2].

Asian Hospitality noted that Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, won the award in 2024, followed by Marriott International executive Leeny Oberg in 2025 [2]. Panwala stands as the seventh lodging leader chosen since the honor's creation [1].

What external professional honors has Panwala achieved?

Outside of direct association governance, Panwala holds multiple commercial recognitions in the financial and risk services fields [2]. She is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table [2]. In 2014, she was inducted into the Signator Hall of Fame, having earned the organization's Platinum Level Achieving Client Excellence recognition [2].