How a LinkedIn Connection Led to Years of Pride and Friendship.

Ten years ago, over a cup of coffee, I met with Maria Martinez, a chance encounter that would become one of many rewarding mentorship stories. At the time, I was the Human Resources Director with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Irvine, California, and Maria was on an internship with Marriott Hotels & Resorts. She sent me a connection request and said she was interested in getting into HR and based on my HR experience asked if we could meet over a cup of coffee so she can ask me questions and gain insight into the HR profession. I responded and we arranged a time to meet at my hotel. What struck me immediately about Maria was her hospitality spark—an innate curiosity, determination, and warmth that I knew would help her thrive in any entry-level HR role.

However, neither her internship property nor my hotel had an available HR role. So, during our first hour-long meeting, I gave Maria advice on how to pursue HR opportunities in the local area. I encouraged her to connect with me on LinkedIn and told her I would help her by reaching out on her behalf if she found a local role she was interested in. Maria stayed in touch, updating me on her internship’s completion and her new but temporary role in housekeeping at the same hotel—a clear sign that her property saw her potential and wanted to keep her.

When her housekeeping role was about to end, a possible position opened at my hotel. We met again over coffee to discuss her experience, and I could see her growth. Maria shared insights from a project she worked on and demonstrated the same determination I’d seen in our first meeting. I knew she was someone I wanted on our team. Although the position in "At Your Service" (answering phones behind the front desk) hadn’t opened yet, I told her I’d keep her in mind.

When the role became available, both my Director of Rooms and General Manager hesitated due to her strong accent. Many know me as a very inspiring leader and I can also be quite convincing. As such with equal doses of both the two relented and Maria joined our team and quickly proved she was more than capable. She did get her share of complaints over her accent or simply not understanding the directions to get to the hotel shuttle. However that only fueled Maria’s determination even more to excel in her role and she worked tirelessly to improve her English skills and even took rides on the hotel shuttle to ensure she could give guests accurate directions. Her tenacity paid off, and she became a star performer, winning over guests and team members alike.

Unfortunately, Maria had to leave her role after a few months when her father fell ill. When she sought my advice, I told her unequivocally: family comes first. She returned to Spain to care for her father and help with the family business but stayed in touch, and when he recovered a couple of months later, she reached out to see if she could come back to the U.S. and rejoin the team. As it turned out we had trouble replacing her and still had the role open which worked out great. This second stint was short-lived, as the high cost of living in Orange County made it difficult for Maria to stay as her fellow interns and roommates from Spain had moved on to other living arrangements or went back to Spain. After a few failed attempts to get something else at a higher pay rate once again, she had to return to Spain. We agreed to stay in touch however the week before she was set to leave I was promoted to an Area Director role in New Jersey. Maria, ever resourceful asked if there might be an opportunity for her in HR in NJ as well. Unbeknownst to her, there was a coordinator position opening in my new region. While I admired Maria’s drive, I needed someone seasoned in New Jersey employment law for this role, and while it was difficult I had to tell her that she wasn’t the right fit at that time. Yet Maria remained undeterred, and we continued to stay in touch.

Several weeks later now in NJ, after struggling to find a skilled, bilingual HR coordinator, I emailed Maria to see if she could secure a work visa. True to form, Maria made it happen within a couple of weeks! She arrived in New Jersey the night before our hotel’s holiday party. The next morning, we had breakfast, where I informed her of a new challenge: I was being reassigned to a property with a newly ratified collective bargaining agreement and we would be going to that property in two weeks. Neither Maria nor I had union experience, but I trusted that we’d figure it out together.

That evening, Maria dove right in. At the holiday party, she worked the registration desk, greeted employees, assisted with award announcements handed out prizes, and even joined the team on the dance floor. It was a testament to her adaptability and infectious enthusiasm. Over the next year, Maria and I navigated the complexities of a unionized environment, the differences of West Coast and East Coast personalities in the workplace (yes there is a difference) and she continued to exceed expectations in every way.

When her time in New Jersey came to an end, Maria returned to Spain, where she quickly transitioned into a legal role in HR, leveraging her law degree from Spain and her hospitality experience in the U.S. Her career trajectory soared as she joined Hard Rock Hotels, eventually becoming an HR Director. Today, Maria serves as the Corporate Head of HR for a hotel company in Madrid, a position that reflects her exceptional growth and leadership.

At the top of the year, as my wife and I planned her bucket-list trip to Paris, I told her that if we were going to Paris, we had to make a stop in Madrid to see Maria. Last week, that dream became a reality. Over breakfast with Maria, I was filled with pride and joy as we reminisced about her journey. That evening, my wife and I had the honor of dining at Maria’s home, and meeting her husband, Nacho, and their two beautiful children. It was a heartwarming experience realizing the incredible impact we have had on each other’s lives.

On the ride back to our hotel that evening, I was overcome with pride thinking about where Maria is today. As I reflected on her journey, I couldn’t help but think about the countless others I’ve mentored over the years and the many more I hope to mentor in the future. I also want to point out that while I admittedly ignore most blind vendor/supplier sales pitches, I make it a point to respond to students, aspiring hospitality professionals, or anyone looking to break into the industry. When I first started in hospitality, when I stepped into a DEI leadership role, or even during the pandemic while I was searching for new opportunities, I was often surprised by how many people ignored my outreach. Those experiences motivate me to ensure I’m available to those seeking guidance, mentorship, or advice. Responding to those reaching out for these types of situations is a commitment I hold close to my heart. Mentorship has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career—watching individuals like Maria grow and thrive is truly food for the soul. This article is not only an appreciation for Maria’s kindness in welcoming us into her home but also a nod to all those I have mentored in the past, those I mentor today, and those I will mentor in the future.

Maria’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of mentorship. It’s a testament to what happens when we take a chance on someone and invest in their potential. Maria’s success is not just her own; it’s a reflection of the many people she’s inspired and supported along the way. As you read Maria’s story, I encourage you to reflect on the mentors who shaped your career. Reach out to thank them—or pay it forward by offering guidance to someone just starting out. The connections you make today could lead to stories of success and friendship tomorrow—it’s all reciprocal.

Maria Martinez muchas gracias, for a wonderful dinner with you and your family, the heartwarming trip down memory lane and for picking me to be a part of your incredible story.