InnFocus Summer 2021

HOTELIER FEATURE:
Sandra Gregory
by Becky Dumais
Sandra Gregory’s
list of both life and work
experience— the two so closely
intertwined because it fed her
wanderlust—traverses across
more than 30 countries and carries
countless stories and connections.
“I’ve learned there’s some very intriguing people in the world. No surprise,”
she states.
While her LinkedIn profile illustrates her as a successful, experienced
hospitality manager with experience across operations, F&B, outlet
management, leadership, training, and customer service management,
there’s more to her than that (including a few harrowing experiences
involving cobras, sharks, and sheep).
Gregory is General Manager at the dreamy, remote Halcyon Hot
Springs Resort and she’s “eternally grateful to the ownership for the
opportunity.” She values their unwavering dedication to a high quality level
of service and their continued investment to help innovate – even during
a pandemic. “That’s incredible. They’re very focused on progressing and
providing innovation and opportunity for others, and building a reputation
as a top employer,” she says. They also provided the opportunity for
her to take ownership to make extensive changes to the operation and
brand. The team here is driven and dedicated to elevating our operation.
There’s more than a touch of entrepreneurial spirit within her, although
she might not quite see it that way. “I know that I was, and have continued
to be, extremely fortunate in my life—a lot of my success was because
someone created a platform of opportunity for me,” she reasons. “Even
if it’s telling me I’m not right for a position or turning me down for a
promotion. People had patience with me to share skills that I couldn’t
have possibly learned without utilizing their experience. If I can create
platforms of opportunity for others to reach their potential, then I’ve had
a good life.”
That’s part of what landed her there. “That’s kind of what I live
by across the board and why I’m doing what I’m doing now. If you
surround yourself with people that can do something better than you,
all you’re going to do is learn.”
Gregory loves connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and volunteers
as a business advisor in third world countries with women and youth.
She loves the creation of ideas. “Halcyon is that on every level for me. I
work with such amazing people, but I wouldn’t be where I am without
those who helped.” Sure, job titles look good on paper or for legal
purposes, but she says it’s never been important to her. “If anything
it’s been a detriment. I’m used to being the younger person in the
room, especially one with so much responsibility (especially in maledominated
environments, from the Australian Outback to West Africa).”
Remote work, Gregory says, is a shift in culture. She landed her first
remote role at 18 at a backcountry lodge in the Rockies. It’s not for
everyone, especially if frolicking grizzlies blocking your commute to the
lodge gives you anxiety about being late. “Remote work and being a
manager is a very niche thing. You constantly have to be aware. You’re
the landlord, the caretaker, the business developer, you’re whatever
you need to be at the time,” she laughs, which on the day we spoke,
was housekeeper.
She admits jokingly that her dream job would be Santa Claus,
flying around the world doling out excitement and joy. “If you’re in the
industry, you’re planning someone’s vacation. That’s the excitement
for me: when you get to be able to say, ‘I’m going to give you the best
experience possible and create a memory.’”
InnFocus 29