Valeria Ruvalcaba

I would have to say it was my first Director of Resources who I got to work with. Her name is Elaine. If it wasn't for her, I would not be in the role that I am now. It's hard because there are so many people that helped me pave the way, but Elaine was the one who truly made the difference in my career journey and helped me get to where I am today.

The best advice I ever received was when I was in security, and I've carried it through every step to the point where I am now: connection before context. That has helped me in so many ways, especially in my field. There's a lot of issues that happen with people on a day-to-day basis, whether it's at work or personal, and sometimes personal affects performance. The best way to connect with people and actually have them trust me is with connection. Anytime that I start a meeting, I always like to see how they're doing. I like to personalize with people, so I know what their kids are up to, what their grandchildren are up to, and I always start there first, just to give them that sense of comfort and trust.

I would say never feel like you have to choose between being kind and being strong, because you can definitely be both. Hospitality and leadership can be challenging environments, and there will be moments where you may feel underestimated, unheard, or pressured to prove yourself. Let your work ethic, professionalism, consistency, and integrity speak for you. Do not shrink yourself. Never, ever, ever shrink yourself to make others feel comfortable. Take up space confidently, ask questions, and trust that your voice belongs in the room. Definitely lead with empathy, but also set boundaries. Being understanding does not mean accepting disrespect. Some of the strongest leaders are the ones who know how to hold people accountable while still treating them with dignity. And find mentors, build relationships, and never stop investing in your growth. I've had the privilege to have mentors that, in a room full of opportunities, my name was mentioned. So surround yourself with people that empower you.

I think the biggest opportunity in my field would be empathizing more with people and the situation that is happening around the world, especially in this job market.

I think the most important values to me are people first - genuinely caring about people feeling seen and supported. Integrity is huge for me. I definitely care about doing things the right way and not the easy way. Family and stability are also critical. A lot of the decisions that I take lately are centered around my family, but also what's best for our colleagues, so always putting that first. And authenticity as well. I like to be my own person, and I like to bring my own unique self to the place that I'm working with.