2021 UNCF Virtual Mayor’s Masked Ball – New Orleans

Michael O. Smith, general manager for Hyatt Regency New Orleans, has spent more than 40 years with Hyatt and is an expert in the hospitality and tourism industry. As a true leader and advocate of corporate responsibility, Smith seeks the opportunity to serve a higher purpose—not only as a true testament to himself, but the city of New Orleans.

Smith utilizes his platform to excel toward his life’s mission as an innovative business leader and revered philanthropist. As an active civic citizen within the city, he takes pride in supporting programs and organizations of diversity and inclusion, LGBTQ, arts and culture, education, religion and community.  His display of hard work and dedication has been reveled and recognized through groups and institutions such as The Human Rights Campaign, Boy Scouts of America, Sisters of the Holy Family and many more. Through his advising and idea creation, Smith helps to fulfill the mission of many organizations by increasing awareness and fundraising for the greater good.

In 2005, Smith received widespread recognition for his efforts in safely evacuating nearly 4,000 guests and staff, along with supporting government officials in transporting thousands of residents from the Superdome through the hotel to buses departing the city during Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of the disaster, the battered hotel remained closed for six years. Once returning to New Orleans in 2007, he spearheaded the $285 million redevelopment of the now leading New Orleans hotel, Hyatt Regency New Orleans. On the fifth anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Smith was honored as an “Unsung Hero” in a proclamation by the city of New Orleans. Six years later, he was presented with an additional New Orleans City Council Proclamation for his continued work in philanthropy and civic engagement. After receiving an honorary doctorate from Dillard University, he concluded 2017 as the Jay A. Pritzker Award recipient attaining the title of “Hyatt Hotels General Manager of the Year.” In 2018, Smith made his debut as co-executive producer for Emmy^® Award winning documentary, “Making 300: Celebrating New Orleans Icon Leah Chase.” In 2019, Smith received the prestigious Loving Cup Award, which has been awarded to men and women since 1901 who have worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public recognition or material reward.

Through his desire to serve this higher purpose, Smith has created a diverse team of community leaders and associates who understands that an organizations actions create long-term value for the people they engage with. Not only does he encourage hotel executives and associates to lead and participate in charity events on property and throughout the city, he insists that they identify their passion projects, thus providing them the resources and tools necessary to make an impact. Most recently, his goal of creating a more sustainable work environment has led to several recycling and energy saving programs both inside and outside the property.

Smith has a strong notion for education and our youth. He believes that a college education is a direct investment into our future. It helps to establish fulfilling careers and creates involved citizens within the community. In 2013, Smith began serving as chairman for UNCF’s Mayor’s Masked Ball. His work with the organization has helped to raise more than $10 million over the last six years, keeping more than 1,400 students in school and ensuring uninterrupted education to the students of Xavier and Dillard universities. To this day, this is the largest fundraiser in the city and the highest producing fundraising event in UNCF history.

In addition to education, some of Smith’s greatest impacts have been through the arts and culture. His passion for the arts has lead to HRNO hosting and sponsoring several of New Orleans’ paramount events, including organizations such as The New Orleans Ballet Association, Bal Masque and the New Orleans Museaum of Arts’ Odyssey Ball. His admiration for the arts stems from a deep understanding of the city’s culture and how the arts enhances the minds of all it touches. Additional events assisted by the Smith to include, but not limited to:

• A Night to Make It Right (Lower 9^th Ward Homes)
• UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball
• The New Orleans Museum of Art
• The New Orleans Ballet Association
• The Human Rights Campaign Louisiana Gala Dinner
• Pride Prom
• Boy Scouts of America
• InspireNOLA
• Dibia Dream
• Dream On 3
• Carnival DuVin
• The Leah Chase Foundation
• Michael’s Special School
• The Lazarus Ball
• The Odyssey Ball
• The Gleason Foundation
• Hogs for A Cause
• NOLHA
• NOMTC

As a champion of health and wellness, Smith recently implemented a program of mind, body and soul that has not only affected the lives of his associates, but the community as well. By helping to create a healthy menu, partnering with local gyms and providing a meditation and relaxation room on property, Smith has truly set a standard for mental and physical wellbeing. Smith enjoys exercising daily with a favorite pastime of mountainous nature walks.

Deemed a wine connoisseur, Smith has collected more than 1,000 bottles of the finest wine over the years. He enjoys traveling the world learning about the different cultures, cuisine, and traditions. When home, he loves to cook the many dishes experienced while traveling, adding his special twist, then sharing with friends and family. Through his leadership, vision and passion, Smith’s efforts have not only perpetuated economic development, but achieved long lasting and sustainable results. His desire for the betterment of the community has boasted him as a necessary attribute to any city—and especially, this great city.

Board and Committee Memberships

• New Orleans Aviation Board– Chair Operations/DBE
• New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chair and Board Member
• New Orleans Chamber of Commerce– Chairman’s Council
• Audubon Nature Institute, Board of Directors
• Human Rights Campaign– Committee Chair 2016, 2017
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)– Chair, 2014-current (Largest fundraiser in the city of New Orleans)
• New Orleans Museum of Art– Trustee
• New Orleans Business Alliance, Board Member
• New Orleans Tourism & Marketing Commission, Board Member
• Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, Board Member
• Saints Hall of Fame, Board Member
• Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center– Board Member
• District of Columbia Taxi Cab Commission – Commissioner, 2001-2004

Awards

• Times-Picayune – Loving Cup Award, 2019
• Boys Scout of America – Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, 2019
• Jay A. Pritzker Award – Hyatt Hotels General Manager of the Year, 2017
• Honorary Doctorate – Dillard University, 2017
• Boys Scout of America – Whitney M. Young, Jr., Service Award, 2017
• New Orleans City Council Proclamation – Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, 2016 
• National Black College Hall of Fame Inductee – Chairman’s Award, 2015
• Sisters of The Holy Family, 2015
• National Urban League – NOLA Empowerment Award, 2014
• YLC – Young Leadership – Role Model, 2014
• Certificate of Recognition – Aviation Board 2013 
• New Orleans Urban League – 10^thAnniversary Recognition
• Trumpet Award (Recognition of African Americans who has inspired success in others), 2012
• New Orleans City Council Proclamation – Unsung Hero (5^th year Anniversary for Hurricane Katrina), 2010
• Numerous other recognitions and awards for community service

Dr. Trivia Frazier-Wiltz, a native of New Orleans, is an experienced adult stem cell researcher and biotech business professional with more than 10 years of experience in biomedical sciences, basic science education and management. She has bachelor’s degrees in physics and biomedical engineering, an MBA with a concentration in finance, and a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences. Dr. Frazier completed her postdoctoral work at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Tulane Center for Stem Research and Regenerative Medicine. She has trained and collaborated with national and international key opinion leaders, attended and presented at international conferences, and worked with clinicians within the areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, breast and bone oncology, obesity, stem cell transplantation and diabetes.

Dr. Frazier-Wiltz is accustomed to breaking barriers and setting precedent. In 2008 she became the first African American student to successfully complete the 3-2 dual degree program between Dillard and Tulane Universities, while graduating with magna cum laude honors in physics and completing a master’s level honors thesis in biomedical engineering. She previously held tenure-track faculty appointments at Delgado and Dillard universities, and helped to pilot the first bachelor’s concentration in medical physics while serving as the physics program chair at Dillard. She is currently the president and chief executive officer of Obatala Sciences, Inc., a biotechnology firm focused on promoting diversity in research and representation of multiple demographics, including underrepresented groups in more appropriate human tissue models for improved drug development.

Dr. Frazier-Wiltz was recently recognized as a member of Gambit’s 40 under 40 class of 2018, Dillard University’s 40 under 40 class of 2019, and awarded a Woman of Distinction award, along with other notable trailblazers including the first female mayor of New Orleans, the Honorable LaToya Cantrell, and the legendary Mrs. Leah Chase. Dr. Frazier-Wiltz is also a wife and mother of three intelligent, handsome boys. She is dedicated to growing her firm in the city of New Orleans and contributing to the budding biotechnology ecosystem here, by lifting up the next generation of local talent.