Redwood City, California, United States
I lead strategy and build the physical and operational infrastructure that lets mission-driven organizations do their best work, from both sides of the table: as a hospitality General Manager running every function of a business, and as a corporate Vice President overseeing a $150M+ annual budget and a $1B real estate portfolio spanning Real Estate, Workplace, Facilities, Capital Projects, Events, Security, EH&S, and Lab Support. At the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, I lead a multidisciplinary organization supporting scientists and staff pursuing breakthroughs in biology and education. I've learned alongside researchers to design and deliver highly specialized environments, including facilities for Krios cryo-electron microscopes, laser phase plate microscopy, zebrafish research, mass spectrometry, automated lab workflows, and a purpose-built data center, across our Bay Area campus and Biohub sites in Chicago and New York. This work requires more than operational skill. It requires genuine curiosity and the ability to earn the trust of world-class scientists. I've delivered across the full operational spectrum: restructured teams, negotiated leases in ground-up developments, executed strategic subleases, and partnered with Finance and Accounting to achieve 20% operational efficiency gains. I lead strategy for Security, Business Continuity, and EH&S across lab and corporate environments. I've led intelligent building design initiatives, developed data lakes to support AI-ready operations, and implemented smart building systems that improve efficiency, sustainability, and occupant experience. My teams produce high-impact events and convenings that unite partners and build organizational community. I've partnered with the People team on return-to-work, onboarding, and employee experience, and my team has ranked in the top 2 in the organization on engagement surveys every year. Before CZI, I spent over a decade as a hotel General Manager owning full P&L, taking one boutique hotel from #7 to #2 on TripAdvisor while more than doubling revenue and earning a Hotel Design Award. I am an authentic leader who builds teams rooted in trust, accountability, and a service mindset. I believe the built environment should be the physical manifestation of organizational strategy and culture, so leadership can focus on mission, not logistics.
Led a multidisciplinary organization of 100+ headcount, across Real Estate, Workplace, Facilities, Capital Projects, Events, Security, EH&S, and Lab Support, managing a $200M annual operating budget and a $1B+ real estate portfolio across Bay Area, Chicago, and New York. - Managed the portfolio through lease negotiations, site selections, strategic subleases, and dispositions, partnering with Finance and Accounting to achieve 20% operational efficiency gains - Partnered with scientific teams to design and deliver specialized research environments including Krios cryo-EM, laser phase plate microscopy, zebrafish, mass spectrometry, and automated lab workflows - Delivered major capital projects including CZI headquarters, the Chan Zuckerberg Institute for Advanced Biological Imaging, Biohub facilities in Chicago and New York, and a $200M+ science facility currently underway - Directed facilities operations strategy spanning base building systems, corporate and lab environments, engineering, maintenance, life safety, and vendor contracts and relationships - Oversaw workplace services strategy including food and beverage, transportation, shipping and receiving, and reception, delivering a hospitality-grade employee experience - Led workplace design strategy focused on collaboration, flexibility, and environments that reflected organizational culture and mission - Built and directed Physical Security, Business Continuity, and EH&S programs across lab and corporate environments - Led intelligent building design strategy, developed data lakes process for AI-ready operations, and implemented smart building systems - Partnered with the People team on return-to-work, onboarding, and employee experience, and produced high-impact events and convenings that built organizational community - Partnered with Finance and IT to implement portfolio and capital projects software - Led a service-oriented team ranked first in the org on engagement surveys every year
Promoted to oversee multi-site operations across a portfolio of Northern California boutique hotels during one of the most operationally complex periods in hospitality history. -Managed all functions across multiple properties simultaneously, including operations, finance, Human Resources, sales and marketing, and facilities, maintaining stability and service standards throughout the COVID-19 pandemic - Developed and led restructured Sales and Marketing teams, creating new policies and procedures adapted to a rapidly changing market environments - Oversaw the successful launch of newly renovated properties - Conducted financial analysis on potential acquisition and development opportunities, evaluating deal feasibility and whether projects could pencil given market conditions - Designed renovations for properties including the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa, aligning the built environment with brand positioning and operational needs
As General Manager, I successfully launched a boutique hotel near Union Square, overseeing the renovation of all public spaces, including the onsite café and restaurant. I led all aspects of the business, including accounting, facilities, People Operations, Sales and Marketing, and Public Relations efforts. I managed critical functions such as budget development, front office operations, housekeeping, and sales strategies, ensuring the hotel operated at peak efficiency. I also prioritized team development, mentoring and empowering team members to grow into leadership roles within the company. Beyond daily operations, I analyzed potential development opportunities and worked closely with key city and industry leaders to foster collaboration and build strategic relationships. I also actively participated on various boards and committees related to hospitality and city planning, contributing to the broader industry and community. Sustainability was a key focus under my leadership, with the implementation of green practices that reduced waste and minimized the hotel’s environmental footprint. I partnered with the local community to establish impactful initiatives, including a local artist program, a school mentorship program, and neighborhood improvement projects, strengthening ties to the surrounding area. We received significant recognition, including a Top 10 Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Award and the Hotel Design Award for Best Lobby in the United States in its category. Additionally, our restaurant and bar were ranked among the top 10 in San Francisco.
I led the design and construction of a major renovation and rebranding of this iconic boutique hotel, which included two onsite restaurants. As part of this effort, I implemented new software systems, including upgrading the PMS, HRS, and ERP, developed and streamlined policies and procedures, and built high-performing teams by recruiting, managing, and developing the Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Food & Beverage, and Operations departments. Additionally, I supported the owner with other real estate matters, including managing two leases. During my tenure, the hotel achieved remarkable success, rising from #7 to #2 on TripAdvisor for Palo Alto and more than doubling its revenue. We were consistently over 100 on our STR index despite having no flag, averaging 106 for the two years after re-launch.
Revamped the sales and catering department by developing a dynamic team, implementing policies and procedures, and acquiring the necessary tools to succeed.
Responsible for the corporate and education markets. Helped build the pipeline following rebranding and extensive renovation with sales group revenue growth of 45%.