Since 2015, Leola Edelin has been the General Manager at Renaissance Albany Hotel in Downtown Albany. She understands the intersection of human experience in tourism and the arts. Leola is a strong advocate for supporting ACG’s mission to make art more accessible in the community. Albany Center Gallery was also the first organization to host an event, its annual fundraising gala, at Renaissance. The partnership between ACG and Leola has grown ever since. 

A small sample of Leola’s many achievements include: Albany Business Review’s 40 under 40 (2017), NYSHTA’s Outstanding General Manager of the Year for 150+ rooms (2018), Albany Business Review’s Woman Who Mean Business Award, and HX Awards Outstanding Woman in Hospitality Leadership & Hotel Management’s 2019 34 GMs to Watch List.

Leola is clearly a superstar, and her efforts aren’t limited to the hospitality industry. She is an active volunteer in her community and sits on numerous boards, including Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Board Chair), New York State Hospitality and Tourism (Treasurer & Secretary), Capital Region Workforce Development Executive Committee, Cultural Heritage and Tourism (CHAT), Downtown Business Improvement District, Schenectady Community College, and the Palace Theatre Advisory Committees.

Throughout the many years of knowing Leola, ACG has been appreciative of the consistent and ongoing support for exhibitions, programs, and projects. Because of her advocacy and support, we have grown as a gallery and organization to make art more accessible in the community that we all love.