International Women’s Day 2025

Corporate

Josie Strang, Vice President Acquisitions & Business Development

Please name a woman in your life that inspires you. 

My grandmother is a profound source of inspiration in my life. She exemplifies what it means to be a person of action—a true “do-er.” Whether through her career, her contributions to the community, or her dedication to our family, she is constantly in motion, pursuing her goals with unwavering determination and purpose. Her tireless energy and commitment serve as a reminder that there is always something meaningful to be done.

Describe your career path and how you got to where you are.

My journey to Davidson started with what I thought was a simple networking lunch while I was still in school. I had the opportunity to meet a Davidson employee and learn more about the company, not knowing just how impactful that conversation would be down the road. Fast forward two years, I ran into that same gentleman at a career fair, only this time he was hiring for the Acquisitions & Business Development team. That moment of connection turned into an opportunity, and I’ve been with Davidson ever since.

What advice to you have for women that are just entering the work force?

My advice to women entering the workforce is to recognize your value and embrace the power you hold to create change. If you look around and don’t see the representation or opportunities you aspire to, remember that you are capable of being that trailblazer. Change doesn’t happen passively; it requires action, persistence, and a willingness to lead by example. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Instead, step up, voice your ideas, and advocate for yourself and others. By doing so, you not only carve out your own path but also pave the way for those who come after you. The challenges you face today can become the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive future. Never underestimate the influence you have, even early in your career. Your courage to challenge the status quo and take ownership of your journey can inspire others and create ripple effects that extend far beyond yourself.

What are you most proud of when looking back on your career? 

I’m most proud of my ability to remain positive and resilient through volatile times, including navigating a global pandemic. The hospitality industry, like many others, faced unprecedented challenges during that period—uncertainty, rapid changes, and significant disruption to business operations. Despite the circumstances, I stayed focused on what I could control: maintaining a solution-oriented mindset, supporting my team, and finding creative ways to adapt to new challenges. Whether it was identifying opportunities for growth in a shifting market or simply showing up each day with optimism and determination, I learned that positivity is not just a personal trait—it can inspire those around you and make a meaningful impact.

Can you please share how you’ve exemplified one of our core values, “Be Passionate about what you do, Serve Others with Love?”  

One example that stands out is a project where I led an acquisition that had a particularly tight timeline and high stakes. I made it a priority to not only focus on the financial and operational aspects of the deal but also on how it would affect the employees and communities involved. I made sure to communicate transparently, prioritize their needs, and ensure a smooth transition.

Pivot

Ashley Glass, Area Director of Revenue Mangement

Please name a woman in your life that inspires you.

In my 17 years within the hospitality industry there have been two women that stood out to me as inspirational. My mentors Sandy Finnegan and Nadia Panasyuk have both taught me how to be a genuine and a successful revenue leader. I still have so much to learn from these wonderful women and still seek out their advice.

 

Describe your career path and how you got to where you are. 

I started my hospitality career with Marriott as a Front Desk Agent while going to college full time. When I joined the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago as a Group Rooms Coordinator, I worked closely with their Director of Revenue Management, which sparked a passion for Revenue Management in me.
I focused my career on that pathway, starting as a Revenue Analyst, and then growing to become the Revenue Manager. Eventually, I found a wonderful opportunity at Davidson as a full-fledged Director of Revenue Management, overseeing a property of my own. With guidance from my mentors, I learned how to develop not only myself, but others, which has given me the chance to become the Area Director of Revenue Management over three incredible properties within the Pivot lifestyle portfolio.

What advice to you have for women that are just entering the work force?

Speak with confidence. Share your thoughts, opinions and goals with your team and leaders. The more confident you speak, the more confidence they will have in you.

What are you most proud of when looking back on your career?

I am most proud of how I developed a strong revenue leader, who now oversees their own property within Davidson. I also am the go-to revenue leader within Davidson for all things Marriott. Sharing what I’ve learned and helping other revenue leaders grow is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Can you please share how you’ve exemplified one of our core values, “Be Passionate about what you do, Serve Others with Love?”

Having a deep Marriott background, I enjoy being a helpful resource for our other Marriott Directors of Revenue Management within Davidson. I’ve set up a weekly call to help answer various questions or concerns. Even though I don’t directly oversee those properties, I still want them to be as successful as possible.

 

Senior Corporate Director of Food & Beverage

Jenny Carr

Please name a woman in your life that inspires you.

When I was just starting my hospitality career, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to work with Niki Leondakis who was the President & COO at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. She exemplified the meaning of serving others with love, being compassionate in meeting every leader and taking the time to remember the human element of hospitality.

Describe your career path and how you got to where you are.

I started in restaurants by accident (as do most people)! I had just returned home from serving in the Peace Corps and was looking for work in the DC area. A friend from high school was living in DC and convinced me to come chat about a host position at a local restaurant in Dupont Circle that just happened to be in a Kimpton Hotel. I love people and especially talking to people…but never thought of hospitality as a career path. After some convincing, my GM was adamant that I was a natural leader in hospitality but needed to learn the inner workings of the restaurant world. My career grew with Kimpton in the DC and Virginia areas before moving to Santa Barbara, CA to open a new property as the Restaurant General Manager. I was ready to take my next career step and moved to Miami, FL to take on a Director of Food & Beverage role with Commune Hotels and then Sixty Hotels. An industry mentor called me to help with some contract task force work with new property openings which lead to a permanent position with Davidson Hospitality Group.

My first role within Davidson Hospitality Group leaned on my experience in Peace Corps, developing tools, resources, and training expertise for our F&B leaders around the portfolio. I focused on providing ongoing mentorship to help propel our leaders to be the best versions of themselves for their teams, guests and properties. I have now been with Davidson for a little over 7 years where my role is focused on leading overall strategy of our food & beverage operations around the portfolio.

What advice to you have for women that are just entering the work force?

Cultivate confidence in your work because we work just as hard as our male colleagues and can handle the same challenges they can. As women, we need to stop questioning our abilities because we are all capable of the work if we would just have the confidence to know that we are.

Decide what you are willing to tolerate and what you’re not, setting boundaries is an important part of establishing you as a leader. Boundaries aren’t something you set to get people to stop doing things TO you. Instead, what you’re doing is setting clear expectations.

What are you most proud of when looking back on your career?

I am grateful that I had a fantastic tribe of women around me that were my mentors and advocates as my career developed and was unsure of navigating the hospitality world. When I interact with other women leaders in food & beverage, I love to connect, pay it forward and ensure these leaders know they have a mentor and advocate to start helping them build their tribes!

Can you please share 1-2 examples of how you’ve exemplified one of our core values, “Be Passionate about what you do, Serve Others with Love?”  

I never stop teaching and will always find the time to explain any subject. Being a trusted leader for colleagues to ask questions that are outside of their comfort zones, I find joy in sharing knowledge, providing leaders with insight or perspectives that they may not see.

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

Genevieve Kelley, Director of Finance

Please name a woman in your life that inspires you.

I immediately think of my mother as a constant inspiration to me! From her love and life lessons as a child and then to her friendship and guidance as an adult, my mother has been a pillar of strength to myself and my family. A couple years ago, she beat breast cancer with that strength and to this day, I continually am in awe of how amazing she is.

Describe your career path and how you got to where you are.

Speaking of amazing women in my life, my career started in hospitality in the Front Desk world from my mother who also works in the industry. My career changed though when I fell in love with the numbers and was very fortunate to have great mentors that helped shape my career. My first Director of Finance gave me the opportunity to learn more than my role and really sparked my interest how much fun accounting can be. From there, in my next role, my boss became my mentor who shaped my career exponentially. She not only helped me grow from an hourly team member to a leader but taught me the importance of leading with confidence. As to where I am now, I am at a property that I truly love and I attest this to two more women that inspired me daily. I started my Director of Finance role at a property led by both two strong, resilient women as General Manager and Hotel Manager, who gave me the greatest opportunity to lead such an amazing Resort as a first time DOF.

What advice do you have for women that are just entering the work force?

I’m a big believer that working hard propels your career, but don’t underestimate the power of networking and supporting your team as you start in new roles.

What are you most proud of when looking back on your career?

While I do credit my career on meeting great people, I’m very proud of how much I learned and taught myself within my roles. Taking initiative, doing the research and always seeking opportunities to hone my skills also helped my career grow to what it is now.

Can you please share how you’ve exemplified one of our core values, “Be Passionate about what you do, Serve Others with Love?”

One way that I can proudly say I have exemplified one of our core values, “Be Passionate about what you do, Serve Others with Love” is starting a W.I.L.D. chapter at our property. When I heard about the amazing group at our Davidson Corporate office, I was so excited to bring this group to our Resort for the amazing women in our Leadership team. My day-to-day in the Finance world has lots of deadlines and responsibilities, and while every piece of work I touch I like to think how I put all of my passion and love to my work, when I plan our W.I.L.D. meetings and meet with the women in our group, it truly comes from the heart.