An award-winning sales professional, Aliya has been in the hospitality industry for over 16 years. Her expertise includes hotel operations, revenue management, business development, sales and marketing. She currently holds a position of Director of Sales with Baywood Hotels, Inc. overlooking three focused-service Hilton brand properties in Austin and San Antonio.

Living and breathing hospitality in various aspects, Aliya opened Opera Cafe & Coffeehouse in 2014, and she has joined the Austin Community College Hospitality, Meeting and Event Planning, Tourism team in January of 2018 as an Adjunct Professor instructing Computers in Hospitality, Small Business Permits and Licensing, Special Topics in Hospitality Administration and Management, and Sales and Marketing courses.

Giving back was always important for Aliya, therefore, a percentage of revenue from Opera Cafe goes to support animal sanctuaries; her company also offers pro-bono services in accounting and consulting.