IN THE INTRICATE world of hospitality, where relationships and revenue intertwine, Daphne Spencer stands as a force to be reckoned with.
A seasoned industry veteran with a Midas touch for revenue growth, Daphne is not just a leader: she is a game-changer. Her career, spanning top-tier brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, has been marked by bold strategies, transformational leadership, and an unwavering commitment to elevating women in the industry.
Beyond boardrooms and business deals, Daphne is a mentor, advocate, and role model. Whether she’s delivering keynote speeches on government policies affecting the private sector or coaching emerging hospitality leaders, she remains steadfast in her mission: to create a more inclusive, dynamic, and equitable industry.
Early in her career, she carved a niche in hotel sales and marketing, developing an exceptional ability to translate data into strategic decisions. As a national sales manager at Hilton, she secured multi-million-dollar contracts, providing a stable business base for her market.
But her ambition stretched beyond revenue metrics. She had a vision – one that would bridge the gap between opportunity and empowerment for women of African descent in tourism and hospitality.
That vision materialized in 2021 when Daphne co-founded the African Association of Women in Tourism & Hospitality (AAWTH). The organization, now spanning 17 countries, is a powerhouse advocating for gender equity in an industry historically dominated by men.
Through AAWTH, Daphne has been instrumental in launching mentorship programs, training initiatives, and policy discussions that directly impact women’s leadership roles. Her work ensures that women not only occupy seats at the table but also influence the conversations shaping the future of hospitality.
Daphne's journey has had unexpected detours. Between hotel executive roles, she explored finance, excelling as a fraud investigator and mortgage broker. But the allure of hospitality – the pulse of the industry, the excitement of new openings – always called her back. She returned with even greater impact, leading hotel openings, spearheading revenue strategies, and positioning properties for long-term success.
Among her many achievements, she played a pivotal role in the launch of the Montage Beverly Hills, a luxury property that later sold for a staggering $415 million.
Currently, Daphne serves as the area director of sales & marketing at Atrium Hospitality, overseeing a vast portfolio of hotels across the U.S. Her expertise in revenue optimization and market positioning has made her an invaluable asset in driving performance for one of the country’s leading hospitality management firms.
Simultaneously, she is at the helm of an historic project – the opening of a first-of-its-kind global brand hotel in Accra, Ghana, slated for Q4 of 2025. This venture underscores her commitment to elevating Africa’s hospitality landscape while bridging international partnerships.
Daphne is not just building hotels – she’s building legacies. And as she continues to break barriers, she is paving the way for a new generation of women to rise in hospitality, transforming an industry that will never be the same again.
