McKenzie Sills

McKenzie Sills is a Hospitality and Tourism Management student at Purdue University, where she studies finance and event planning in addition to her major. She began her hospitality career at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, advancing to lead host and completing an internship there. At Purdue, she has taken on leadership roles including President of the Hospitality Tourism Management Society, where she has helped plan professional development trips and networking events. She also serves on the board of Black Tie Dinner as Decoration Instructor, having previously been Assistant Decoration Instructor, overseeing decorations for the large-scale four-course event. Her internship experiences include a food and beverage intern manager role at Biltmore Estate, rotating through restaurants, and a rotational internship at Woodstock Inn and Resort in Vermont, where she worked across approximately 12 departments including sales, weddings, events, marketing, front desk, housekeeping, spa, and country club. She is also a member of the Professional Convention Management Association and has volunteered with the Excel Center GED program and Right Steps with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through her Black Tie involvement. McKenzie has been recognized on the Dean's List and semester honors throughout her time at Purdue. She attributes her success to open communication, teamwork, and prioritizing feedback from others.