Growing a Hospitality Career – Maddie's Story
Madalyn Roman-Martinez’s hospitality journey began at just 19 years old, working the 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. front desk shift at Homewood Suites by Hilton. From the start, her strong work ethic and willingness to help wherever needed set her apart. Whether supporting guests at the front desk or assisting the housekeeping team during busy shifts, Madalyn embraced every opportunity to learn. She describes herself as a “hands-on leader,” a mindset that quickly caught the attention of her General Manager.
Recognizing her initiative and potential, her GM encouraged her to pursue new opportunities within the company, once telling Maddie, “One day, I see you sitting at my desk.” Soon after, Madalyn stepped into an accounting role, where she spent three years building a strong operational and financial foundation. During that time, she was also promoted to Front Desk Supervisor, balancing both responsibilities while gaining a deeper understanding of hotel operations.
After five successful years at Homewood Suites, Madalyn transferred to La Quinta Inn & Suites as Assistant General Manager. During a performance review, she shared her interest in eventually pursuing a corporate leadership role. That ambition was met with genuine support through a development partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association, where Madalyn completed numerous professional certifications to strengthen her industry knowledge and leadership skills. “I did it all,” she said proudly of the opportunities she pursued.
Today, Madalyn serves as Operations Manager, helping lead the opening and renovation of a dual-branded Hyatt property in Portland. She is excited to continue growing her expertise in strategic areas of hospitality, including revenue management and operational efficiency.
When asked what has made the biggest difference in her career, Madalyn points to the company's culture. She describes it as “a family and caring culture where I truly feel seen and heard.” Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing into a strategic leadership role supporting multiple properties across Vesta’s expanding portfolio and helping teams improve operations, efficiency, and overall performance.
