Influential Woman · Hospitality

Diane Gracey

General Manager, Days Inn by Wyndham

Jacksonville/ Orange Park, FL

3Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree GED (obtained 2022) Degree Associate's Degree in Hospitality Degree Florida State College at Jacksonville (2024) Degree Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Degree Florida International University 4 Plus 1 Program (completing end of current semester) Degree Master's Degree in Hospitality Degree Florida International University (in progress)

Her Story

About Diane

I started in the hospitality industry in 2012 when I applied for a housekeeping position, but during the interview they thought I would be better suited for the front desk due to my previous customer service experience answering phone calls for Summer Bay Resort in Orlando, Florida. I worked my way up to front desk manager and director of sales, and also gained experience in night audit positions. In 2017, I moved to Jacksonville, Florida and started over at a Days Inn by Wyndham Orange Park, a 60-room, 3-story economy property. I worked my way up again to Assistant General Manager, and when the previous manager retired, I became General Manager about three and a half years ago. At this smaller property, I handle everything on the back end, from dealing with third parties, reviews, billing, and planning renovations. Since I took over as General Manager, we have won the Days Inn President's Award for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025). I pride myself on being an empathetic manager who treats staff the way I want to be treated, and I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do myself. I cover any shifts when needed and assist my team with difficult tasks. I believe in giving employees opportunities for growth and the ability to handle situations, and I focus on guidance rather than reprimand. This approach has resulted in very low turnover - I haven't hired anyone new in the past 2 years, which is remarkable in an industry known for high turnover.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Diane

01What do you attribute your success to?

The most important thing is taking care of your staff. Teamwork is essential, and I'm more of an empathetic manager - I don't have anything close to an autocratic style in management. I always treat people the way that I would want to be treated. I give my employees opportunities for growth and give them certain power, letting them have the ability to choose and handle situations. If I wasn't happy with the way they handled something, I generally just tell them how they probably should handle it next time rather than reprimanding them. I think what's led us to have this award for the past 3 years is that my staff is happy. I don't leave them hanging anytime they need help with something - I am open to help, whether it be the housekeeping department, front desk, or whatever needs to be done. Having a good relationship with your staff and having a lot of teamwork really makes the hotel a workplace where people want to work and like coming to work. Without my team and having a steady team, I wouldn't be in the position that I am without having such good staff. I have really low turnover - I haven't hired anybody new in the past 2 years, and I think that's because of the way that I communicate and treat my staff.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Just to get your foot in the door, sometimes you have to take a lower position and work your way up. It also gives you a good source of empathy so that when you're leading the team, you know where they've been and where they've come from. I think that helps as far as the teamwork, because I don't think that any job is beneath me, even in my position, and I think that helps out a lot. So getting your foot in the door and really learning all the different departments will help you run it a lot smoother.

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