It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

Aly discusses why he insists on leading a corporate culture which includes self-care. He shares why he and his family have opted to move several times to support his career and how he evaluates those decisions along with tackling other risks and challenges. He talks about relationship building in a small industry and developing leadership skills, especially strategies to manage others as you devel...

Thanksgiving is comprised of two words – “Thanks” and “Giving”. At DEI Advisors, we have so much to be thankful for. We are grateful for the opportunities our industry has given us, and the friendship and support we have received from you. We believe in a greater calling in being a leader – a responsibility to “give”. So many remarkable people have given to elevate us in our career journeys. We ar...

Thom shares how mentors and his innate curiosity were instrumental in his rise from bellman to CEO of Davidson, and how learning to delegate and trust his team benefits everyone.  He discusses how many decisions involve risk, the dangers of waiting until you gather 100% of the data, and the need to be supportive when your team takes calculated risks that don’t work out.  Thom also explains how to...

Matt discusses his journey from general counsel to COO and the ways he continually develops the new skills he needs to transition roles. He shares why he's passionate about board and non-profit service and the leadership lessons he's learned from youth sports. Matt talks about what he looks for in hiring talented team members and how empathy has evolved as a critical leadership trait ove...

Sean discusses how his curiosity helped him to rise quickly.  He explains the importance of including others along the way to build support for initiatives – and why hallway discussions are critical.  Sean shares valuable advice on public speaking he learned from friends trained in broadcasting, and he explains why imposter syndrome gets more acute as one rises to the C-Suite.  He also details the...

Jenn shares how her personal mantra of "love yourself, mix it up, and keep it moving" guides her journey through life. She also discusses the many ways that her support system is an integral, impactful part of her life and leadership. Jenn talks about why it is important for her to have a voice for others and also to make sure we advocate for ourselves and her drive and strategies for co...

Janis discusses how viewing each day as currency helps her find work-life harmony and why women need to advocate for themselves in addition to having allies and champions. She shares how she combines educational resources with outreach to her network to continually develop new skills. Janis also talks about how communication helps her overcome challenges and her approach to public speaking.

Ama shares why she thrives in 1:1 conversations but why public speaking makes her heart race. She discusses how the people around her have impacted her career trajectory and why now it is her turn to do the same for others. Ama talks about why we need to show ourselves as much grace as we show others and how she integrates her work life with the rest of her life.

Lani discusses her 20+ year career with Marriott’s timeshare group and her new role as CEO of a technology company.  She shares how she advocates for herself, how she selectively chooses new roles and takes on calculated risks, and how being a mentor can get you a mentor.  She also discusses the tendency of some women to use language that diminishes their words, in order to avoid being perceived a...

In her insightful interview, Lauri Reishus offers valuable guidance for individuals seeking to shape their career journey. She emphasizes the concept of natural leadership, which involves actively seeking opportunities to understand the business's current objectives and future aspirations.

Artur shares the remarkable growth of TUI Blue Hotels & Resorts and factors contributing to his successful career. We discuss his approach to challenges and lessons from failures. He offers advice on networking and how he chooses leaders in a rapidly changing landscape. Artur also provides his advice on self-empowerment.

Agnelo has had a very diverse leadership experiences across many different types of hospitality companies and managing, differentiating and building very successful hotels and resorts.  Agnelo’s superpower is driven through his leadership skills of listening to others and driving his own personal relevance in bringing value to every business he leads.

Stacy shares why saying yes is important but saying no can be equally important. She talks about the importance of her support system and how she overcomes obstacles. Stacy discusses her approach to public speaking and why attending conferences is a must for everyone.

Mercedes shares how she became her own best hero and advocate and how she overcomes self doubts. She talks about her experiences with public speaking and how impactful her volunteerism has been on her growth. Mercedes also shares the challenges and rewards her living and working across many cultures have provided.

Dave Hilfman, a distinguished leader in the travel industry, attributes his impressive career achievements to the invaluable guidance of numerous mentors who laid the groundwork for his sales leadership skills through a disciplined approach to sales. Additionally, Dave places great emphasis on the art of attentive listening, recognizing its importance in nurturing strong relationships that drive b...

From his rapid rise through the ranks of intermediary companies to his current role as NYU Associate Professor & Director, NYU Tisch Center of Hospitality HIU HUB Incubator Program Richie Karaburun has always remained curious, open to learning from others and a strong believer in “things happen for a good reason”.   

Sarah shares the profound impact mentors have had on her journey and how that led to her becoming employee #1 of a new hotel brand, emphasizing that taking risks is the path to great rewards. She discusses why you should say yes to public speaking even if it makes you uncomfortable. Sarah talks about strategies for overcoming self doubt and being intentional about finding work life harmony.

Mr. Ho Kwon Ping (KP) shares his fascinating career journey starting as a journalist and eventually transitioning to the hotel industry. We discuss the inspiration behind his innovative concepts from the pool villa three decades ago to the recently launched Banyan Tree Escape that is devoid of walls and windows. He shares how he fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. KP serves...

Mary Li is a visionary entrepreneur and icon in the airline industry. In this interview, she shares her career journey and important lessons in entrepreneurship. She offers advice on leadership, taking risks, and overcoming setbacks. We discuss shifting the mindset from competition to collaboration and how she overcomes the "Imposter Syndrome." Mary also shares tips on self-care and the...

Janine shares her journey from English major to first time CEO. She discusses developing new skills and how she effectively uses LinkedIn. Janine talks about how the strength of the human spirit and overcoming life's toughest challenges motivate her every day. And you must hear the inspiring story of how Janine and her team serve the community.

Katherine shares highlights and lessons from her impressive career journey and comments on her approach to challenges. We discuss tips on networking, taking risks and achieving work life harmony. She offers thoughts on finding mentors and advocates, and overcoming the "Imposter Syndrome". You wouldn't want to miss the advice Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta shared with her when she was CEO...

Ted shares why leaving bosses who didn’t support him advanced his career, and he discusses ontology, a program of self-discovery, which helps him to better understand others and reduce drama in the workplace.  He also describes how to develop mentors and the importance of considering the quality of mentorship one is receiving.  Ted talks about why he considers imposter syndrome a positive attribut...

Erinn shares how involvement in an association taught her about true leadership and the importance of increasing listening skills and developing patience.  She also explains why learning her bosses’ priorities and preferred ways of working, early on in a job, helps advance her career – and that it’s more important to be effective than to be right.  Erinn explains how creating her own platform gave...

Nina explains why women leaders shouldn’t be defined by the traits that define male leaders, and how she motivates herself to attend networking events.  She shares the goals she set early on to improve her public speaking skills as well as the beauty of networks for collecting different perspectives and helping you make decisions.  She describes how she overcomes negative thoughts, and the value o...

Harry shares how concert and event production experience led to founding The Lodging Conference. He discusses evaluating risk and how overcoming each challenge prepares him for the next challenge. Harry talks about public speaking, skill development, and continuous learning and the importance of each for career growth. And Harry shares why he'd tell his younger self to "chill out."