Cheyenne Seres Rodriguez

I attribute my success to the incredible people who have supported me throughout my career. First and foremost, my team deserves the credit. No matter what recognition I receive, none of it would be possible without the people who show up every day, give their best effort, and support one another through every challenge. If my team did not show up for me the way they do, I would not be where I am today.

I also owe a great deal of my success to the leaders who believed in me and took chances on me throughout my career. Haleah Todd and William Kern saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and entrusted me with opportunities that helped shape the leader I am today. Their mentorship, guidance, and confidence in my abilities gave me the foundation to continue developing both personally and professionally.

I firmly believe that leadership is about investing in people. My team, along with the mentors who helped guide me, have played an invaluable role in my journey. At the end of the day, success is never achieved alone. It is built through trust, support, and the collective efforts of people who believe in one another. I am incredibly grateful for the team and leaders who have stood beside me every step of the way.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was to leave work at work. In hospitality, as in any customer service industry, there are challenging days, difficult situations, and moments that can weigh heavily on you. As leaders, it’s easy to carry the concerns of our teams and the challenges of the business home with us.

Learning to create boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance has been invaluable throughout my career. It allows me to show up each day with a positive mindset, stay focused on solutions, and be the best leader I can be for both my team and my family.

The advice I would give to someone entering this industry is simple: work hard and show up for your team. Success in hospitality is never achieved alone. The people you work alongside every day are the ones who will support you through challenges, celebrate victories with you, and help you grow both personally and professionally.

Building a strong, dedicated team is one of the most important investments you can make as a leader. When you have a team that trusts one another and works toward a common goal, there is very little that cannot be accomplished. I am incredibly grateful for the people who have stood beside me throughout my career. Without their commitment, support, and willingness to show up every day, I would not be where I am today.

One of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today is the growing competition from short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. As travelers are presented with more lodging options than ever before, it is important for hotels to continue demonstrating the unique value, consistency, and service that only a professionally managed hospitality experience can provide.

For me, the challenge is ensuring that the hotel industry remains at the forefront of travelers’ minds by continuing to deliver exceptional guest experiences, personalized service, and the many benefits that come with staying at a hotel. Whether it’s loyalty programs, on-site amenities, enhanced safety standards, or dedicated team members focused on guest satisfaction, hotels offer advantages that continue to set us apart. Our responsibility is to consistently showcase that value and adapt to the evolving needs of today’s travelers.

The value that is most important to me is family. That commitment extends beyond my home life and into the workplace, where I view my team as an extension of that family. Taking care of the people around me, both my family and my staff, is something I prioritize every day and a responsibility I take very seriously.

I believe that when people feel valued, supported, and respected, they are more likely to thrive both personally and professionally. Many of the team members who were with me when I first stepped into my leadership role are still with me today. To me, that speaks volumes about the culture we have built together and the importance of investing in people. Their dedication, trust, and commitment have played a significant role in our success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such an incredible team.