AS THE FOUNDER and chief executive of Elise Capital, Kendra Plummer has become a powerful force in the hospitality world, not only through her business acumen but also through her dedication to empowering underrepresented communities.
Elise Capital is a hotel-focused, real estate investment and consulting firm that Kendra founded in 2019.
Kendra's passion for hospitality was ignited at a young age during family trips from her hometown of Belmont, MA, to the Caribbean, where her roots trace back to Jamaica and Barbados. These trips were more than just vacations. They were a cultural bridge that allowed Kendra to see the impact of the hospitality industry firsthand, as her family split their time between staying with relatives and one of the islands’ many hotels and resorts.
“Ever since then, I always wanted to own a bed and breakfast on one of those islands,” she said.
She pursued a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she has been able to find opportunities beyond the classroom. These experiences, coupled with internships at leading hotels and organizations in Philadelphia and Miami, helped her develop a keen understanding of the hospitality industry. They also opened her eyes to the lack of diversity in hotel ownership.
“I realized that hotel owners typically weren’t people who looked like me,” she told a Temple University blog in 2020, when her alma mater honored her with its 30 under 30 award. “They’re usually not women. If they are people of color, they usually aren’t black people. They’re usually not young.”
Kendra went on to earn an MBA from the University of Miami as an Emery Means Findley Jr. Fellow.
She started Elise Capital, which she named after her and her grandmother’s middle names. She has led Elise Capital through the launch of its investment portfolio of more than $25 million in assets under management and the evolution of its advisory platform, ushering in a new demographic of hotel owners.
In August 2021, Elise Capital announced the closing of its first hotel acquisition, the Hampton Inn by Hilton Douglas in Douglas, GA. In the next two years, it would make two more acquisitions. It is also invested in the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Picayune-Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, acquired in August last year.
Kendra notes prospective investors often overlook hotels, not because they don't see the potential, but because they don't realize it's an option. Elise Capital aims to demystify hotel ownership, making it more accessible to those who have historically been excluded from this lucrative industry. Through online education communities, financial-evaluation services, and mentorship opportunities, Elise Capital is helping to elevate a new generation of hotel owners.
Elise Capital’s pulse thrives with Kendra’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. She has been a vocal advocate for increasing representation in the hospitality industry, particularly in leadership and ownership roles.
She opines that gender inclusion within the industry is evolving at a rapid rate, highlighting the progress made through initiatives such as The Castell Project and She Has a Deal, where she served as a mentor and member of the SHaD Squad, a group of current and prospective women owners. However, she acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly in terms of access to capital and industry networks.
Prior to launching her own company, Kendra held positions at leading firms in hotel operations, asset management, and acquisitions and development, where she ultimately sourced and structured more than $500 million in hotel deals.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she received the annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting from the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. The award provided her with a one-year associate membership to the ISHC, allowing her to further expand her network and continue making an impact on the industry.
“Kendra is the embodiment of who the Lori Raleigh Award seeks to highlight in the hospitality industry. Kendra has not only grown her business and her reputation as an industry leader, but she also actively volunteers her time and knowledge to help others, specifically women and under-represented minorities, overcome barriers to the hospitality industry,” Andrea Belfanti, ISHC chief executive, commented at the time.
“She has already accomplished so much in her career; it will be exciting to see how she continues to shape the future of the hospitality industry.”
Kendra dedicates a significant amount of time to coaching and advising students at all levels. She has served as an adjunct professor at Gwinnett Technical College, and has been a mentor at Atlanta Growing Leadership of Women, best known as Atlanta GLOW. The nonprofit serves low-income young women, ages 14-25, by providing resources and networking opportunities such as one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and conferences to ignite members’ leadership potential.
She is active in several organizations focused on increasing diversity within the hospitality industry including the African American Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers, She Has a Deal, Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Last year, she won the 2023 Outstanding Hotelier of the Year award by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners. In August she was accepted to the newest cohort of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business program, a milestone that promises to further enhance her leadership skills and broaden her influence.
