Company: Denihan Hospitality Group, New York, NY, USA
Entry Submitted By: Quinn & Co. Public Relations
Company Description: Denihan Hospitality Group is one of the nation’s fastest growing owner/operators of upper-upscale and luxury boutique hotels, and is known for the “Art of Hospitality” – creating authentic experiences that resonate with guests. Led by co-CEO's Brooke Denihan Barrett and Patrick Denihan, the company's portfolio consists of The James and Affinia Hotels brands and several luxury independents.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Business Products –11 to 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Brooke Denihan Barrett, co-CEO

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

The only woman to own and operate a hotel company in New York City – and one of only a handful in the world -- Brooke Denihan Barrett is co-CEO of Denihan Hospitality Group, one of the nation’s fastest growing owner/operators of upper-upscale and luxury boutique hotels. Since 2006, Brooke has led the 50-year-old family business with her brother, Patrick Denihan. However, it is what she has done this past year that has brought her the most industry recognition.

Last year Brooke secured Denihan’s first-ever joint venture, partnering with Pebblebrook Hotel Trust for a 49% interest in Denihan’s six core assets in New York City. The partnership raised $152 million to further fuel national growth for Denihan, as it looks towards expanding The James and Affinia brands to key U.S. urban markets, doubling its 15-unit portfolio by 2016. Brooke also signed a management agreement with Ark Partners, adding The Mansfield and The Franklin hotels to the company’s portfolio, bringing Denihan’s New York City portfolio to 11 properties – more than Denihan’s ‘big brand’ contenders.

In support of its aggressive growth strategy, Denihan opened a San Francisco office to focus on key west coast opportunities. Further reflecting Denihan’s expansion, Brooke named David Duncan president of the company, the first non-family member to hold this position.

With a deeply ingrained passion for helping others achieve professional fulfillment, Brooke established Denihan’s Talent Development Academy (TDA), a program designed to utilize the knowledge of internal and external experts to provide a deep understanding of the business of hospitality. Twelve to 15 of the most promising young Denihan associates are selected from a pool of applicants to participate in TDA where they work personally with Denihan mentors to complete a business-related project evaluated by senior management at the end of the year. Illustrating the program’s success, 55 percent of TDA’s graduates receive promotions within the following year.

Under Brooke’s leadership, Denihan is in the process of transforming the Royal Palm in Miami into The James Royal Palm (re-launch scheduled for Q4 2012), a project named by forbes.com as one of the “10 most anticipated global hotel openings of 2012.”

To develop Affinia Hotels into a strong, national brand, she created Tender Loving Comfort (TLC), a movement to shift common industry service standards from ‘service’ to true hospitality. She appointed a Chief Comfort Officer and instituted comprehensive trainings taught by a body-language specialist and a renowned worldwide trainer of bartenders, thus far, to coach Denihan associates on how to read and best interact with hotel guests. Brooke’s ultimate goal was to deliver the most authentic and caring experience for customers.

In 2012, Real Estate Forum named Brooke a “Woman of Influence” in real estate for the second consecutive year and for the fourth year in a row, Denihan was named one of the 5000 fastest growing companies by Inc. Magazine.

To unite Denihan’s different offerings under one corporate umbrella, Brooke led the refresh Denihan’s visual identity and unveiled a new corporate tagline: ‘The Art of Hospitality’.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 100 words):

The only woman to own and operate a hotel investment/management company in New York City, Brooke Denihan Barrett is the co-CEO of Denihan Hospitality Group, one of the nation’s fastest growing owner/operators of upper-upscale and luxury boutique hotels. After acquiring the company with brother Patrick Denihan in 2006, Brooke has transformed the company’s New York-centric portfolio, expanding it into Washington, DC, Chicago and Miami, with more markets to come. Prior to becoming CEO, Brooke worked her way up through the business holding various operations and management positions.