Ruth S. Gray
Ruth Gray is an accomplished hospitality professional and Rooms Division Manager at The Lake House on Canandaigua, a luxury lakeside resort in New York. Ruth has developed a strong reputation for creating seamless guest experiences and fostering supportive, high-performing teams.
Before joining The Lake House in 2023, Ruth held management roles at premier properties including Renaissance Del Monte Lodge, W South Beach, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, and Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport. These roles allowed her to refine her expertise in front office operations, guest services, and team development across both boutique and large-scale luxury brands. Her ability to adapt to diverse markets and uphold the highest service standards has been a consistent hallmark of her career.
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Ruth earned her bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from Anglia Ruskin University. Ruth continues to combine her operational expertise with her people-first leadership style, ensuring memorable stays for guests while mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.
• Anglia Ruskin University - BS
• Association of Hotels and Lodging
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the amazing mentors I’ve had throughout my career. John Lynch and Marc St. Hubert played a big role in motivating and inspiring me, and they showed me how important it is to surround yourself with successful and positive people.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to work hard in the field, always set goals and keep learning. I believe setting goals is key because it gives you something to strive toward, and it also helps you recognize when it’s time to move forward and pursue new opportunities.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering the industry is that you can do anything you set your mind to. I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, and pursued my degree as an external student and now I’’m working in a profession that I am passionate about here in the United States.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the industry is simply not having more hours in the day to achieve even more goals. I’m determined to always stay ahead, push forward, and continue moving up in my career. For me, being devoted to the field and loving what I do makes all the difference—it truly feels like you never work a day in your life when you love your profession.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My spirituality and my work ethic are the things I value most and both go hand in hand for me. I believe that being deeply devoted to God has helped me to be a better leader.