CEO
PREFERRED TRAVEL GROUP
WHY: Leader of family-owned hospitality company and its collection of six brands and programs, which represents more than 1,300 of resorts, hotels and residences across 90 countries; based in Newport Beach. Joined the firm as VP of brand development in 2004 when the Ueberroth family acquired it. In the past 20 years, she’s held several roles at Preferred and its brands that led to becoming the group’s chief executive in 2010. As CEO, managing the company’s global development and growth efforts, has led Preferred to $1B+ in sales.
IN THE NEWS: Has added 20 new member hotels to its luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio in Q1 2026; most recent was the Dusit Thani Bangkok. Additionally, Preferred will open eight new luxury hotels in 2026, from Morocco to Mexico City.
NOTABLE: Before joining Preferred, worked in sales at Ambassadors International Inc. and prior to that, was a management consultant at Accenture when it was known as Andersen Consulting. Serves on the board of directors for Historic Hotels of America, the Global Hotel Network, and Wine 2 Water; also, a member of the U.S. Travel Association and global leadership org YPO. Was the keynote speaker for the Business Journal’s 2014 Women in Business Awards.
FUN FACTS: A few favorite restaurants in Orange County include Bamboo Bistro, Selanne Steak House, Splashes, Studio Mediterranean.
IN HER WORDS: “At Preferred, we are here to support independence. We provide the strength of a global platform while empowering each property to remain distinctly its own.”
