Olivia Hoblit
Olivia Hoblit is a seasoned hospitality executive and the President and Founder of the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, with nearly three decades of experience leading luxury lodging operations and high-performing teams. She currently serves as Director of Lodging Operations at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of premier accommodations, including The Equestrian Hotel, The Riding Academy Hotel, and extended-stay offerings. Known for her strategic leadership and commitment to service excellence, Olivia consistently delivers elevated guest experiences while driving operational performance in a dynamic, high-volume resort environment.
Her career in hospitality spans 29 years and began in Jacksonville, where she worked as a paralegal for a decade while also holding a part-time front desk role at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. It was there that she discovered her passion for hospitality and made the decision to pursue it full-time. Over the next 18 years on Amelia Island, Olivia advanced from front desk associate to General Manager, leading Elizabeth Pointe Lodge during a period of national recognition, with accolades from leading publications such as Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure beginning in 2007. She has since held leadership roles with globally recognized and independent hospitality organizations, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Innisfree Hotels, further strengthening her expertise in luxury operations, brand management, and team development.
In addition to her professional achievements, Olivia is deeply committed to community leadership and service. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, following her 2023 appointment by the Governor, where she advocates for expanded access to affordable housing. A respected industry leader, she made history in 2022 as the first female chairwoman in 18 years of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, representing more than 10,000 members statewide. Throughout her career, Olivia has remained grounded in a people-first philosophy, dedicated to mentoring future leaders, delivering exceptional experiences, and giving back to the community that shaped her journey.
• Hotel certification, Hotel Management, Hotel Management
• Certificate for Hospitality Marketing, Hospitality Administration/Management
• 2025 Innovators in Neuroscience Award
• Doctorate of Foodservice (DFS) Award
• Named as one of Florida's Leading Women in Lodging-2018
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
• Florida's First Coast of Golf
• FRLA Executive Committee
• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association-First Coast Chapter
• Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation (Founder and President)
• Florida Familial Brain Aneurysm Research Project
• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
• Nassau County Economic Development Board
• University of West Florida
• Amelia Island Tourist Development Council
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God's blessing. I always look at it as God put me in a place for a reason, because I have a purpose there. I sit back and look at what my purpose is. The purpose is, do I help the people around me? How can I help them be successful? At the same time, I'm learning myself as well and contributing to the company to help it be successful. God has blessed me where I am today, and I give all that credit to Him. Never lose the faith.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be true to yourself. Work hard. Think outside the box. It's okay to step outside the box and take a chance. But do not lose your integrity. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. Always do the right thing. There are people out there who want to grow and sometimes they don't do it the right way, they do it in the dirty way. That's just not me. If it doesn't feel right, I'm not gonna go for it. I'm not gonna disrespect anyone, I'm not gonna stab anyone in the back just so I can have the position. I also think it's important to get yourself out of your comfort zone and give yourself recognition. We're always holding back, like oh no, that's not for me, but we don't give ourselves enough recognition. And I think that's why we're not seeing more women step forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think as a woman in a fast-paced industry, you have to really be more transparent and be upfront, because sometimes you have to advocate for yourself. Honestly, it's still a men's world. The American Hotel Lodging Association is really working more for female leaders now, advocating for us and helping us learn how to advocate for ourselves. I think I'm surrounded with great people, but it's still difficult. I have to advocate for myself so I can be heard and seen. Being an Asian American makes it even harder. People have told me, oh well, how would you know? You weren't born here, or you're not American. It's harder being in the minority. You really have to work that extra hard. And when you're in a women's influential leadership position, you feel like you're the mom, taking care of the people around you and bringing them under your wing.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is my biggest value. Always doing the right thing. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. And always be honest. It's all about doing the right thing. There are people out there who try to get around things. People want to grow, and sometimes they just don't do it the right way, they do it in the dirty way. That's just not me. If it doesn't feel right, I'm not gonna go for it. I'm not gonna disrespect anyone, I'm not gonna stab anyone in the back just so I can have the position.