Advertise on podcast: Exit to Enter

Today’s guest needs no introduction—he’s Ian Schrager, the Brooklyn-born impresario whose name is synonymous with reinvention. From the grit of his childhood streets to the glitter of Studio 54, Ian helped define a generation’s nightlife, then turned the idea of where we sleep into a new form of culture—through Morgans (think the Delano, Hudson, the Clift, and so many others), then EDITION with Marriott, and now, PUBLIC Hotels.  We’ll talk about the highs and the lows—how a meteoric rise at Studio 54 was followed by a very had fall and a restart—and how those chapters shaped a relentless belief in hospitality as an art form. Ian shares why crafting experiences matters more than transactions, how vulnerability fuels creativity, and why, after decades of innovation, PUBLIC may be his boldest move yet. Stay with us for an intimate conversation about risk, reinvention, and the kind of lasting ideas that turn hotels into social laboratories. Welcome to Exit to Enter.

Today’s guest is Aliya Khan, the recently named Vice President, Architecture, Design & Construction for IHG’s Luxury, Lifestyle, and Managed Hotels, whose path from architecture school in Pakistan to Pratt Institute and into global hospitality is a study in adaptability, curiosity, and courageous choices. Aliya Khan is a global design leader with nearly two decades of experience shaping hospitality brands, portfolios and experiences at the intersection of design, strategy and business. Her career has been closely tied to the creation and evolution of some of hospitality’s most influential brands. Early on, she contributed to the global expansion of W Hotels and helped shape the pioneering, design-led approach of Aloft Hotels.  Aliya’s story traces childhood moves that taught her how to form new relationships fast, a detour out of industrial design and into a serendipitous role at Starwood, and bold career pivots—from New York to Bethesda, from Marriott to a new chapter at NeueHouse back to Marriott. Along the way she learned to make “smart yes” decisions, to lean into immersion and the people around her, and to treat closed doors as invitations to something better. Trained in Architecture and Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, Aliya brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work, balancing creative ambition with operational and commercial realities. She remains deeply engaged in the broader design conversation, drawing inspiration from travel, art and architecture around the world. Her work reflects a belief that design is not simply a visual language, but a strategic force for innovation, business performance and brand growth.  In this episode, Aliya shares how mentors pushed her to grow, how she builds culture by showing up fully, and how she turns setbacks into lessons to pass on.  Welcome to Exit to Enter.