MICHELE ROBERTS-DONA
Hired March, 2000

First Evo Position: Director of Catering & Event Management
Current Evo Position: Regional Vice President of Sales

HOW DID YOU COME TO WORK WITH OUR COMPANY? TELL US YOUR STORY.

I believe everything happens for a reason. During a sales trip to Southern California in 2000, I ran into a former Interstate Hotels & Resorts manager who had already made the jump to Tarsadia Hotels. She told me about a Director of Catering & Event Management position that was available at San Mateo Marriott, one of Tarsadia’s properties. I also knew the current Director of Sales & Marketing at the San Mateo, another Interstate Hotels & Resort alumni, who was happy to learn I was interested in the position. The rest, as they say, is history. I took the catering position at San Mateo Marriott and kept growing from there. San Mateo Marriott is still my favorite hotel; I enjoy seeing many of the same banquet associates I worked with back in 2000. We all remember each other, and like to take a moment when we meet to fondly recall some of the weddings and bridezillas we shared in the past.

THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB OR WORKING FOR EVOLUTION HOSPITALITY

Being a part of a great organization and working alongside people who feel like family are things I like best about Evolution Hospitality. The ability to grow your career by learning new brands and roles is another. I not only appreciate the opportunities which have been provided to me, but fully accept the responsibility of coaching others to reach their full potential, providing similar opportunities to them.

FAVORITE GUIDING PRINCIPLE: DO EVERYTHING WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY.

My favorite Guiding Principle is “Do everything with gratitude and humility.” I feel it’s one of the cornerstones of the Evolution culture. Treating others with respect, being grateful for what you have, and being humble are very important character traits of a person. This is what I strive to be and I enjoy coaching others to behave this way.

MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOU THAT’S NOT WORK-RELATED

I used to run competitively and feel it helps me be more goals driven. I learned early that if I developed tactical steps to achieve a goal, the goal was more attainable. Now in a highly goal and results driven field, the same principles apply.

Injuries have morphed my running passion into walking instead, but I’m still competitive. In the past, I’ve completed the three-day, 60-mile, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk in San Diego. Now I walk to celebrate my own victorious cancer battle and for my mother who recently lost her battle with cancer.