Marriott International announced today that Jennifer Mason will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer starting April 1, 2026, succeeding Leeny Oberg upon her retirement. The appointment marks a critical transition as Marriott charts its next phase of expansion, navigating both global growth initiatives and continued technological investment.
Leeny Oberg, who has held the CFO position since 2016, confirmed her retirement effective March 31, 2026. Over her tenure, Oberg was instrumental in guiding Marriott through the financial turbulence of the COVID‑19 pandemic and implementing a series of cost-management measures designed to maintain profitability in challenging conditions. Her departure concludes more than 20 years of dedicated service to the company.
Stepping into the position, Jennifer Mason brings six years of senior treasury and financial leadership expertise at Marriott. Currently serving as Global Officer of Treasury and Risk Management, Mason has overseen global capital strategy, hotel financing, and treasury operations. She also manages the firm’s comprehensive risk management framework, covering everything from business continuity to insurance programs.
Mason’s deep-rooted experience with Marriott spans over three decades. She joined the company in 1992 as an associate within finance and auditing. Over the years, she has advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as CFO for the U.S. & Canada division. In that capacity, Mason led regional P&L oversight, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, internal controls, asset strategy, and feasibility assessments. Under Mason’s management, the U.S. & Canada finance operations achieved notable operational resilience and financial discipline, positioning Marriott to emerge stronger as economic conditions improved post-COVID. Analysts credit this groundwork with giving Marriott a robust financial footing during the recovery period.
In addition to her roles in treasury and regional finance, Mason has been a leading voice in Marriott’s financial-risk architecture. She has directed global initiatives across capital markets, including debt issuance, investment allocation, and foreign exchange hedging. Her tenure overseeing Marriott’s global risk also sharpened the company’s ability to weather disruptions, from the pandemic to geopolitical uncertainties.
Mason’s professional journey reflects both versatility and leadership in finance. Educated at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, where she earned her undergraduate degree, and later receiving an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she brings a strong academic background to her financial acumen.
Her expertise and industry respect extend well beyond Marriott. Mason serves on the Board of Directors at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, where she contributes to financial oversight and risk governance. Since October 2022, she has also been a board member at Cedar Fair, one of North America’s premier amusement and entertainment companies. These positions reflect her governance experience and her ability to manage financial systems at scale across diverse sectors.
Marriott’s decision to appoint Mason to the CFO position emphasizes both continuity and progression. She has been integrally involved in the company’s financial strategy during pivotal growth periods—such as reinvestment post-pandemic, global expansion, and digital infrastructure enhancements. As CFO, Mason will inherit oversight of the company’s capital allocation strategy, international market penetration, and significant technology spending aimed at improving customer experience—from loyalty-platform upgrades to operations analytics.
During recent earnings calls, CEO Anthony Capuano has discussed Marriott’s ambitions to deepen its footprint in emerging markets—such as Southeast Asia and Latin America—and to pursue digital innovation across its brands. Mason’s financial leadership will be critical in prioritizing investments, evaluating returns, and managing financial risk in these regions.
As CFO, Mason will also be tasked with capital structure optimization, debt issuance management, and maintaining strong relationships with credit agencies and institutional investors—all vital for maintaining Marriott’s investment-grade credit rating.
Marriott’s leadership praised Mason’s appointment. CEO Capuano highlighted her blend of institution-specific knowledge and global financial insight. He emphasized that her track record during the COVID recovery uniquely positions her to lead Marriott’s ongoing evolution, stating, “Jen’s leadership helped ensure our financial resilience; now, she’s poised to guide our growth strategy forward.” Similarly, outgoing CFO Leeny Oberg endorsed Mason’s capabilities: “Jen is not just a great financial strategist—she’s a leader who understands our business, our people, and our long-term vision. I am confident she’ll elevate our performance and deliver sustained value to shareholders.”
The transition also accompanies a complementary executive shift: Shawn Hill will become Chief Development Officer effective January 1, 2026, overseeing franchise growth and investments. Hill’s appointment, announced alongside Mason’s, signals a refreshed strategic leadership team ready to drive Marriott’s accelerated expansion.
When Mason steps into the CFO role next spring, Marriott will enter a critical growth phase backed by recovered travel demand, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives. With her proven leadership across finance, strategy, and risk, Mason is well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
As the hospitality industry braces for a post-pandemic bounce and evolving traveler preferences, Mason’s ascension marks a strategic move to blend financial discipline with innovation. Over the coming year, stakeholders will monitor her execution of ambitious growth targets, guided by deep institutional knowledge and a forward-looking agenda.
