Martha Gavilan
Martha Gavilan is a seasoned hospitality sales leader with more than 15 years of experience in the United States and additional early career experience in South America. She currently serves as Senior Sales Manager for the North East Region Large Corporate Market at Hyatt Regency DFW, where she oversees the East Coast territory from Maine to Florida, as well as Central and South America for large corporate accounts. Her career began in Ecuador as a Sales Manager in a boutique hotel, where she spent approximately 3–4 years building her foundational expertise in hospitality. She later expanded her industry perspective by working as a sourcing manager for pharmaceutical companies, gaining valuable insight into both the hotel and client sides of the business. Martha’s approach to hospitality is deeply rooted in emotion-driven service, where she views every event as a promise of excellence and meaningful experience rather than a tangible product.
Her professional journey in the U.S. hospitality industry reflects steady advancement through progressive leadership roles with organizations including Hilton, AC Hotels, White Lodging, and Hersha Hospitality Management. Throughout her career, she has managed a wide range of hospitality disciplines including weddings, social events, operations, corporate group sales, and strategic account management. She also served as an Area Director overseeing three hotels, where she led sales strategy, market performance, and team development. These experiences have shaped her into a versatile and strategic leader with a strong ability to drive revenue growth while building lasting client relationships.
Martha’s story is also one of resilience, identity, and personal achievement. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 30 without speaking the language and has since built a successful executive career in a highly competitive industry. Over the past 16 years in the U.S., she has advanced into senior leadership roles through determination, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. She is a proud Latina who embraces her heritage and remains deeply connected to her roots, using her journey as motivation to succeed and inspire others. Beyond her professional life, Martha enjoys music, dancing, travel, spending time with family, and exploring diverse cuisines—interests that reflect her vibrant personality and love for connecting with people and cultures around the world.
• Universidad Tecnol - Marketing
• Manager of the Quarter
• Manager of the Year
• MPI
• PCMA
What do you attribute your success to?
I think the foundation that my parents provided to me throughout my entire life is what I attribute my success to. My dad was always a fighter, and I think the foundation of having always the work ethic and doing the right things is key. When you have that established in your life, you're able to do anything. My parents are immigrants, and they instilled in me the values and work ethic that have allowed me to succeed in a land that is not mine. I moved to the U.S. without knowing the language, and having that strong foundation from my parents gave me the strength to start from scratch and work my way up to where I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my grandpa, who was a farmer. He told me that no matter what, just take the opportunity. If you don't know how to do it, take it, and you learn as you go. That advice really stuck with me, and I thought about it when they offered me an area director position for three hotels. I thought the job was too big for me, but I remembered my grandpa's words and said, when you have an opportunity, just take it, and then you can learn as you go. That advice has been invaluable throughout my career, especially when I moved to the U.S. It took a lot for me to regain the confidence that I was able to succeed here, but remembering to take opportunities and learn along the way helped me push through.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the hospitality industry is to not settle and to not stop themselves. I think that's something I tell myself - I almost wish that I could go back in time and be a little bit more brave to take some challenges. I think I took them a little later on in the game. So my best advice to them would be: go for it. Don't think that you're not able to do something. Just apply for your dreams. Don't let anything hold you back or make you doubt yourself. Be brave and take on challenges early in your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I feel that the biggest challenge in the hospitality field right now is that technology is taking a lot of jobs. AI and artificial intelligence are our biggest challenge right now that we are fighting against. The younger generation is taking more spots, and technology is definitely impacting our industry. However, I have to say that in hospitality, there's always that human touch that you need. I don't think a computer can take our jobs soon, at least not soon, because you always need this connection, this negotiation. When you're in hospitality, your emotions and your clients' emotions are your biggest key. It's about selling an amazing experience and making the client believe that you're going to deliver what you're offering. That human element is something technology can't replace.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are the most important values to me in both my work and personal life. I feel like integrity takes you far, no matter what. I always try to be honest in everything that I do in life, and I put my values into everything. Even if you're going to lose, just be honest and never put your integrity on the line or at risk. Another important value to me is to never forget where you're coming from. I am a very proud Latina, and I will never deny that, even though sometimes society makes you feel that you don't belong. Remembering my roots and staying true to who I am is essential to me.
Locations
Hyatt Regency
Liberty Hill, TX 78642