Her Story
About Marilynn
Marilynn Uresti is a Dual Operations Manager for the SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn in downtown San Diego, California, where she has led operations since 2024. She entered the hospitality industry in 2021 and has built her career on strong management, clear communication, and personalized guest experiences. Her areas of specialization include team bonding, customer service, and leadership. She began her Marriott career in the Voyager program, training in operations management, and she now focuses on creating innovative strategies to increase occupancy for both extended and personal stays. Marilynn Uresti earned a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies from Grand Canyon University in 2023, graduating magna cum laude. Her drive is rooted in her faith and in her role as a first-generation college graduate and the oldest daughter in her family, and she is committed to being a role model for her siblings. She is also passionate about representing women who are still in the process of growing, believing that authentic, relatable stories help others see what is possible. Outside of work, she gives her time to Build a Miracle, United We Can, and Victory Homes, organizations that support housing, education, and recovery in her community. Guided by kindness, respect, service, and a mission-minded approach, Marilynn Uresti encourages young professionals, especially women entering hospitality, to lead with compassion regardless of the circumstance. She believes that simple acts of service can transform a guest's stay. Having learned to trust that her position was earned through her own work and value, she hopes her story will encourage other women who face doubt to believe in their worth as well.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marilynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith. My love for my family is also a driving force. As a first-generation college graduate, the oldest sibling, and a woman, I feel a strong responsibility to succeed, to build a better future for my family, and to be a role model for my siblings and the younger generation.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received came from a woman named Helen, who mentored me during my year in sales and cold calling while I was in college. She often reminded me to keep going. It may sound simple, but it carries great weight. We have the privilege and opportunity to keep pushing forward, while many others wish they had even a fraction of what we have.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Kindness goes a long way, no matter what you are going through personally. Your challenges are no one else's fault, and it can be difficult to keep them from showing. Hospitality often requires us to mask what we are experiencing. Yet I have found that choosing to be kind, even on a hard day, makes a real difference. I encourage young women to extend kindness to every guest no matter what you’re going through. It shows perseverance, compassion, and courage to push through the difficulty of life and show up kindly for others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One biggest challenges in hospitality is maintaining consistent service while balancing staffing, employee retention, and increasing guest expectations. Guests should be able to receive the same high level of service regardless of who is working or what department they interact with. That requires strong training, clear communication, accountability, and leaders who are present and engaged with their teams. At the same time, hotels have to manage rising operating costs and employee burnout without allowing those challenges to negatively impact the guest experience.
However, I think AI has created a really exciting opportunity for hospitality. It allows us to learn more about a guest’s previous stays, understand what they value and look forward to, and use that information to personalize their experience. Ultimately, it gives us the opportunity to make each guest feel recognized and create an experience that is truly tailored to their individual travel needs.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness is the value I hold most dear, followed by being mission-minded. At times, I have lost sight of my purpose because of the routine of daily work, and I have to remind myself why I do what I do. Even Jesus called us to be hospitable. I also value respect for everyone and a heart of service.
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