Carey alum and Hilton VP shares his winning strategy for leadership with impact

For Oral Muir (MBA ‘00), leadership is about making a lasting impact and creating opportunities for others. He has dedicated his career to innovation in the hospitality and travel sector, anticipating trends and adapting to the industry’s evolving landscape. As vice president of Partnerships, Experiences, and Distribution at Hilton, Muir leads the charge in forging strategic partnerships, expanding Hilton’s Adventures and Destination Experiences business, and playing a lead role in driving the digital transformation of the events and meetings segment.

With travel being an inherently global business that will continue to grow, Muir explains, “One of the biggest challenges we will face in the industry is being able to deliver the services and experiences that meet the needs of a younger and more globally diverse consumer audience, and successfully navigating to break through the dizzying number of distractions that compete for their time and attention.”

Breaking through the dizzying distractions

Navigating this complexity requires a blend of vision, adaptability, and strategic thinking—qualities Muir honed during his time at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and has refined throughout his career. He attributes his success to a relentless pursuit of knowledge and fresh insights, and the ability to learn from the experiences of others.

“I seek out disruptors, people who bring fresh perspectives, and have more experience or are smarter in a particular area than I am. Learning never stops,” he says.

Beyond his role at Hilton, Muir is deeply committed to developing the next generation of leaders. He serves on the board of directors for the Executive Leadership Council, a membership organization of Fortune 500 senior executives dedicated to working to build an inclusive global business leadership pipeline. He was a founding member of CALIBR Leadership Development Network—a nonprofit focused on preparing high-potential leaders for senior executive roles—and has served in multiple leadership roles, including president and board chairman.

“CALIBR is about equipping future leaders with the skills, network, and mentorship they need to thrive,” he explains. “For me, success is about having a lasting impact—not just for myself, but for my family, my teams, and my community.”

A winning strategy for future leaders

Muir’s work shapes the way people experience travel worldwide, but his professional journey started with a key decision: pursuing an MBA at Carey. “I was drawn to Carey because of the faculty, JHU’s reputation, and ultimately my classmates,” Muir reflects. “The relationships I built there—lifelong friends and sage advisors—have been instrumental in my growth.”

When asked what advice he would share with current Carey students, Muir emphasizes the importance of both purpose and people. “Seek to be a force for good in all that you do and build relationships to recruit others to support your mission,” he advises. “People don’t really dislike change; they dislike uncertainty and lack of clarity. Seek to minimize uncertainty and invest in effective and contextually relevant communication. This is a winning strategy.”

His career is a testament to this philosophy. By embracing change, fostering relationships, and continuously seeking growth, Muir has not only carved a remarkable path for himself but has also paved the way for others to follow.