Episode 11

 Episode 11: Hospitality

31 March 2021

In this episode, we receive a rare, inside view of how hotel leaders used grit, ingenuity, communication, and teamwork to pull through a national shutdown and lead their teams to resilience, reopening, and recovery. Our guest is the incomparable Mary Rogers, award-winning VP, and GM of the iconic and legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel and resort.  We learn about the transformational impact of empathetic leadership, the unique collaborative spirit of the hospitality industry (yielding innovation and continuity), and why we need travel, leisure, and hospitality experiences to nourish our souls and connect us with friends and family. This story of endurance, innovation, and leadership is a heartwarming testament to the human spirit and an inspiring, hopeful message in a post-pandemic world.

EPISODE NOTES:

As Vice President and General Manager at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Mary Rogers oversees all day-to-day operations of the iconic 1,504-guestroom Miami Beach property.

Known as the first female to hold the role of General Manager since the hotel’s opening, Rogers, joined Fontainebleau in 2009 and has held numerous positions in the historic property, including Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms, Senior Director of Catering and Conference Services, and most recently as Vice President of Operations, Rooms where she oversaw the Rooms Division, the Condo-Hotel Operation, Lapis Spa and Salon and The Shops at Fontainebleau.  Rogers has also been instrumental in leading the Quality initiative ensuring the hotel maintains its AAA Four Diamond service standards.

Prior to joining Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Rogers has more than ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, having held various positions at prestigious resorts within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in destinations such as Las Vegas, Washington D.C, Orlando, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.

Holding an active role in the Miami community, Rogers is Vice-Chair of the Miami-Dade Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and a founding member of the South Florida Women in Lodging.  Rogers also sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Greater Miami and The Beaches Hotel Association and sits on the board of directors for Camillus House, a non-profit agency that provides humanitarian services to the poor and homeless people in Miami-Dade County.

Rogers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Catering Management from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland, and graduated magna cum laude with First Class Honors. In 2020 Rogers was named “Florida 500 Most Influential Business Leader” in Hospitality and Tourism by Florida Trend Magazine and the South Florida Business Journal designated Rogers “2019 Hospitality Power Leader”.  In addition, Rogers was awarded “Corporate Executive Woman of the Year” by The U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce.     

Website: Fontainebleau Miami Beach

LinkedIn: Mary Rogers