Christine Shipley

Any success I have achieved is deeply rooted in the incredible people who believed in me along the way. I have been fortunate to have great mentors who challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me see possibilities beyond what I could sometimes see for myself. Their guidance, wisdom, and belief in my potential have played an invaluable role in my journey.

I also owe so much to my strong mother, who encouraged me to dream big and believe that those dreams were worth pursuing. She taught me the importance of resilience, determination, and never being afraid to work for the life I envisioned.

As a single mother, much of my drive has come from wanting my children to see what is possible. I want them to know that hard work, passion, perseverance, and determination can truly pay off. I hope that by pursuing my own dreams, even through challenges and difficult seasons, I have shown them that success is not always easy or immediate—but with drive, commitment, and a willingness to keep moving forward, incredible things can happen.

One of the most important pieces of career advice I have been given is to remain flexible and open to opportunities you may not have originally envisioned for yourself. Industries change, roles evolve, and sometimes the greatest opportunities come from stepping outside the path you originally planned.

One of the most important pieces of advice I would give to women is to take up space. Don’t shrink yourself, soften your ideas, or stay silent simply because you are worried about how your voice or opinions will be received.

Speak up. Use your voice. Share your perspective. Your experiences and ideas have value, and you do not need to wait until you feel completely confident or have every answer before contributing to the conversation.

Too often, women feel the need to be overly prepared, seek permission, or second-guess themselves before expressing an opinion. Challenge yourself to let go of that hesitation. Be confident enough to contribute, even when your perspective may be different from those around you.

Taking up space doesn’t mean being the loudest person in the room—it means believing that you belong in the room. It means having the confidence to share your ideas, advocate for yourself, ask questions, and respectfully voice your opinion.

Don’t be afraid to be seen, heard, or challenged. Your voice can open doors, influence decisions, and create opportunities—not only for yourself, but for the women who come after you. Know your value, trust your perspective, and never be afraid to take up the space you have earned.

As AI continues to grow in the hospitality industry, I believe one of our biggest challenges will be finding the right balance between technology and human connection. AI can make hotels more efficient and simplify many everyday tasks, but it cannot replace the relationships and genuine interactions that make hospitality special. A friendly conversation, recognizing a returning guest, or simply showing compassion during a difficult moment can create an experience that technology cannot replicate. At the heart of hospitality, people take care of people—and that human connection will always matter.

The values that shape me most, both personally and professionally, are honesty, creativity, compassion, humor, and resilience. I try to lead with kindness, find joy and laughter in everyday moments, and keep moving forward no matter what life brings my way. I also feel incredibly blessed to work for a company that values culture and employee engagement, and encourages its people to live out these values every day. I believe that creating a positive, supportive environment helps employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to be their best.