Episode 14: Julian MacQueen

Julian MacQueen is the Founder and Chairman of Innisfree Hotels, a trailblazing hospitality company headquartered in Pensacola, Florida. Since its founding in 1986, Julian has shaped Innisfree into a powerhouse of both business success and social responsibility. With $250 million in annual revenue, 3,600 hotel rooms, and a $1 billion asset portfolio—including a $750 million development pipeline—the company ranks as the 42nd largest hotel operator in the U.S. Yet, what sets Innisfree apart is its heart: under Julian’s leadership, it operates like “a for-profit company striving to behave like a nonprofit,” donating over $1 million each year to causes related to racial equality, education, and sustainability. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a degree in Psychology, Julian brings a people-first mindset to everything he builds. His deep commitment to the Bahá’í Faith and its principles of unity and service informs his approach to leadership and philanthropy. Through Innisfree’s foundation, The Hive, Julian has helped create and fund community programs such as the Dixon School of Arts & Sciences, the Escambia Children’s Trust, and Parent University, which provides free, life-changing education to underserved families. With a seasonal workforce of up to 2,000 employees, Julian sees every initiative—from beachfront development to nonprofit collaboration—as an opportunity to uplift lives and model a more compassionate form of capitalism. Julian’s journey is a testament to visionary entrepreneurship fused with enduring values. His accolades—including the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP’s Elvin McCorvey Education Award, and Florida Trend’s Most Influential Business Leaders—reflect not only his business acumen but his unwavering commitment to justice, education, and human dignity. Whether investing in real estate or human potential, Julian MacQueen continues to redefine what success looks like.