Her Story
About Rachel
I've been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, working on the digital side of marketing. I just started a new position with Atrium Hospitality, a management company that oversees big brand, full-service hotels - mostly 4-star properties. I oversee a portfolio of 18 hotels, primarily Hilton, Marriott, and IHG brands. My responsibilities include developing paid media strategies, updating content and how hotels are displayed to customers, and supporting the food and beverage side, bringing visibility to restaurants in or near the hotels. I enjoy this industry because it's so fast-paced and constantly changing - you have to stay up with trends. It's been very rewarding, and this is an industry where anybody can pivot and go into different fields. If you're good at digital, you can move into revenue management or sales. There are a lot of opportunities, and it's 24-7. I hold a CHDM certification for digital marketing in hospitality, which I maintain through HSMAI and renew every 2 years. My journey into this field was unexpected - I actually wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and become a criminal lawyer. I double majored in sociology and government at Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas. But I had to work my way through college, so I started at the front desk as a night manager at a hotel. Once I graduated, I quickly moved up in rank, became a manager, then moved to the corporate side. I fell in love with it, and it's one of those industries where once you're in it, it's very hard to get out because it just captures you.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say leading with a certain leadership mindset and having a genuine passion for helping others. I've always believed in being willing to lend a helping hand, supporting my teams, and showing empathy to both the guests and my coworkers. I just feel like hospitality is about making people feel valued and cared for, right? So I strive to create that in every interaction on my day-to-day basis. I've got to lead with kindness and understanding and have a strong work ethic. So all of that has contributed to my success thus far, and that also helped me build meaningful relationships and continue to create positive experiences.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There's only one piece of advice that stuck with me because I had an issue with feeling like I was never qualified. I remember my mentor told me, 'Apply before you're 100% ready.' I didn't understand at the time, but she was saying women tend to wait until they check every box before they go after what they want. Especially in this industry, not everyone's going to check off every box. Stop being scared to take a risk, you know, go after what you want. That really has changed me, because the type of personality that I have, I'm just so... I have to make sure I have everything in order, and I have to make sure I have this experience to apply for something, and you're never going to be 100% ready, right? Everyone has to learn the job, whatever that is, so you know, just go for it, see how you do in interviews, and if you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't, okay? And just continue to move on and push yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say stay confident. Never underestimate the value you bring to the table, especially as a woman in this industry. Hospitality is fast-paced and offers endless opportunities for growth, leadership, and connection, so be willing to learn, work hard, and stay adaptable in this industry. And then last but not least, I would say don't be afraid to speak up. It's almost like... it's still male-dominated, but it's starting to be a lot more women in this industry. So, you know, share your ideas and advocate for yourself. Confidence and communication are just as important as experience.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Adapting to constant change. In this industry, it evolves quickly. As you know, with new technologies, we've got AI, changing travel trends - we can see that with tariffs right now. The travel is down tremendously. Online reviews, shifting customer expectations - those are some of the big challenges we are facing as an industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I would say that what has guided me is integrity, service, and continuous improvement. I care deeply about doing an excellent job. Also, being transparent, as I work directly with ownerships, and then also being dependable, right? I want to be a dependable coworker - I want my manager or my boss to be able to depend on me if they need something. In my personal life, there's a couple things that I value. I'm a single mother of one boy, so I do value being present, right, being around the family, and then also growth. This has shaped me on how I lead and communicate, even through work. So, I have more empathy, I have more patience, and more of a stronger perspective. Being a mother is the end-all, be-all for me right now.
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