Ariel Palitz

Ariel Palitz is a leader in hospitality governance and public affairs, serving as managing director of hospitality and intergovernmental affairs at Oaktree Solutions. Palitz brings experience from her tenure as New York City’s first "Nightlife Mayor," where she was the founding director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife. In this role, she established the office’s infrastructure, developed non-enforcement solutions to systemic issues, and guided the city’s nightlife sector through significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

Palitz’s expertise spans city government and international policy, with a focus on enforcement, safety, harm reduction, community relations, licensing, crisis management, and equity. As a former nightclub owner and community board member, she offers a perspective on the intersection of industry, government, and community, allowing her to develop solutions that balance stakeholder interests and support urban culture.

Palitz is a consultant and public speaker in hospitality and urban nightlife, contributing through her roles at Oaktree Solutions and as nightlife advisor for the NYC Hospitality Alliance. She is featured at major conferences, including the Milken Institute Global Conference, and has been recognized for her impact on public policy and industry advocacy. Palitz’s career reflects a commitment to equity, innovation, and the sustainable growth of nightlife economies worldwide.