Yesenia Cruz
Yesenia Cruz is an accomplished hospitality and events professional with expertise in event planning, client relations, catering operations, and venue coordination. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a reputation for creating seamless and memorable event experiences while fostering strong relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams. Beginning her journey as a venue coordinator, Yesenia’s dedication, adaptability, and meticulous attention to detail have propelled her into management roles, reflecting steady growth through hands-on experience in fast-paced environments. She takes pride in balancing academic excellence—earning a 4.0 GPA at Indiana University Bloomington—with extensive practical experience, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
Currently, Yesenia serves as Event Sales and Catering Manager at Mas Mex, where she oversees multiple locations, manages high-volume event operations, coordinates client bookings, conducts site tours, and ensures every event runs smoothly from conception to execution. Her leadership style emphasizes organization, reliability, and responsiveness, allowing her to navigate complex logistics while exceeding client expectations. She draws particular satisfaction from mentoring team members, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the growth and success of her organization.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Yesenia embraces personal challenges as opportunities for growth. She recently completed her first half marathon, a milestone that highlights her resilience, determination, and growth mindset. Whether managing a large-scale event, leading a team, or pursuing personal goals, Yesenia approaches every endeavor with energy, dedication, and a passion for excellence.
• Indiana University Bloomington - B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic, adaptability, and the ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships. Being dependable, organized, and attentive to client needs has been central to my growth in the events and hospitality industry. Over the years, I’ve gained extensive hands-on experience, beginning as a venue coordinator and progressing into management roles, which has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of event planning, hospitality management, client relations, catering operations, and venue coordination.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received comes from both my family and my professional experiences. My parents and godmother have been incredible sources of support, encouraging me to pursue my education and follow my passions. Professionally, I’ve learned invaluable lessons through hands-on experience and the guidance of colleagues in hospitality and event management. Their mentorship has taught me the importance of dedication, adaptability, and building strong relationships—principles that continue to guide me in my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the events and hospitality industry is to embrace every opportunity that comes your way and to gain experience as early as possible. Don’t be afraid to step into new responsibilities—growth often comes from challenging yourself and learning on the job. I also emphasize the importance of staying open-minded, working hard, and finding a balance between your career and personal life. These principles have been essential in helping me grow and succeed in this fast-paced industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the hospitality and events industry right now is navigating inflation and tightening event budgets. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities for those who focus on relationship-driven service, creativity, and adaptability. Professionals who can anticipate client needs, provide value, and remain flexible in changing economic conditions are well-positioned to succeed and make a lasting impact in the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are hard work, reliability, growth, and professionalism. I believe in showing up prepared, maintaining a positive attitude, and continuously striving to improve both personally and professionally.
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through fitness and running, which help me maintain balance and focus. I also have a deep passion for music, especially singing mariachi, and I hope to return to it more consistently in the future.
Locations
Mas Mex
Elgin, IL 60120