Influential Woman · Hospitality
Jennifer Kahl
Commercial Director/Author/Travel writer
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Kahl is a hospitality executive with more than two decades of experience leading commercial strategy, sales, and revenue performance for luxury, full-service, lifestyle, and select-service hotels. Known for stepping into complex, high-stakes assignments, she has built a career around repositioning underperforming properties and management companies, aligning teams around clear accountability, and translating data-driven strategy into measurable, long-term value for owners and investors. Her experience spans both the ownership and franchise/management sides of the industry, giving her a rare, dual-lens understanding of how commercial decisions ripple across an entire portfolio.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has been especially drawn to developing people — designing sales roles, training programs, and standardized operating procedures that help organizations scale sustainably. She has mentored first-time general managers, built commercial infrastructure for rapidly growing portfolios, and cultivated sales cultures within companies partnering with major hospitality brands. Rather than following a traditional academic path, she credits her growth to hands-on learning and the guidance of strong mentors, a foundation that continues to shape how she develops talent today. Her leadership style, rooted in respect, compassion, and encouragement, is balanced by a firm commitment to accountability and results.
Outside of her corporate work, Jennifer has cultivated a parallel identity as a storyteller, writing under the banner of The Feminine Traveler and pursuing creative projects centered on travel and hospitality themes. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Hope Collaborative, is an active member of Women in Revenue and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, and supports causes such as For Goodness Cakes. Guided by her faith and shaped by the experience of raising two children as a single mother, Jennifer approaches both her professional and personal life with a steady focus on what she can control, a deep sense of purpose, and an enduring commitment to the people she leads.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to my faith, which keeps me grounded and centered on what truly matters. I've always been willing to step into difficult roles that others shied away from, and I've made a point of putting in the work needed to prove my capabilities. Keeping my family and personal well-being as top priorities has kept me balanced, and I've found that true leadership means focusing on lifting others up rather than putting the spotlight on myself.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to focus on what I can control. It's a simple principle, but it has helped me stay grounded and effective, especially in a fast-paced and often unpredictable industry.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women not to let a male-dominated industry intimidate them. Your voice and your ideas carry just as much weight as anyone else's in the room, so speak up with confidence. Just as importantly, make sure your actions consistently back up what you say, because credibility is built through follow-through, not just words.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Hospitality has changed significantly since the pandemic, and I see real opportunity in how we respond to that shift. The workforce today has different expectations around work-life balance, fair compensation, parental leave, and career growth. Leaders who genuinely invest in their people and adapt to these expectations will be the ones who reduce turnover and build stronger, more resilient teams.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith guides everything I do, both professionally and personally. I try to lead with respect, compassion, and encouragement while still holding people accountable to clear expectations. Above all, I aim to treat others the way I'd want to be treated — taking the time to truly listen and support the people around me.
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