KATHARINE DEGOMA
Barrington
Summary
Strategic hospitality leader with extensive experience in driving hotel performance and optimizing asset value across luxury and lifestyle portfolios. Demonstrated success in aligning ownership priorities with brand standards, achieving significant RevPAR growth and enhancing guest satisfaction, while leading cross-functional teams in complex environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
The LaSalle Chicago – Autograph Collection
01.2024 - Current
- Drove 12% YoY RevPAR growth, outperforming competitive set and strengthening market positioning
- Delivered 50%+ GOP flow-through, optimizing cost structure and maximizing profitability
- Repositioned commercial strategy by aligning sales structure with third-party F&B operations, unlocking incremental revenue streams
- Sustained guest satisfaction scores 10+ points above brand average, reinforcing luxury experience consistency
- Led union labor strategy and negotiations, balancing service delivery with cost control
- Achieved Forbes Recommended recognition (3 consecutive years)
- Selected to Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors
Real Estate Broker & Asset Advisor
Captivate Real Estate Group at eXp Realty
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Advised clients on asset valuation, acquisition strategy, and market positioning across residential and investment properties
- Evaluated properties through both operational and financial performance lenses, identifying value-enhancement opportunities
- Developed pricing and positioning strategies based on market data, competitive analysis, and ROI potential
- Built relationships with high-net-worth clients, developers, and investors, delivering consultative, strategy-driven guidance
- Expanded expertise in ownership priorities, capital deployment, and return on investment
General Manager
The Gwen – Luxury Collection Hotel
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Achieved 118.9 RevPAR Index, outperforming market during recovery period
- Drove revenue strategy to exceed pre-pandemic benchmarks
- Increased employee engagement to 93% satisfaction, strengthening service culture
- Maintained guest satisfaction significantly above brand benchmarks
- Contributed to brand positioning and F&B marketing strategy
General Manager
Ambassador Chicago – JdV by Hyatt Hotels Corporation
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Led full brand conversion into Hyatt portfolio, including repositioning, go-to-market strategy, and operational transformation
- Delivered 17% RevPAR growth and 7% ADR growth through strategic commercial initiatives
- Rebuilt sales and revenue teams to improve performance and market share
- Directed culture transformation and guest experience repositioning to align with lifestyle brand standards
- Developed and executed COVID relaunch playbook, stabilizing operations and profitability
General Manager
Hyatt Regency Deerfield
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Increased ADR by 12% through strategic segment optimization
- Grew banquet revenue 32% and group occupancy 7%
- Led $14M renovation and $1M meeting space repositioning, aligning product with market demand
- Achieved market share index above 100% during peak periods
- Implemented guest experience tracking systems to drive loyalty and repeat business
Director of Operations → General Manager Progression
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg / Hyatt Place Chicago-Itasca / Hyatt Regency Chicago
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Managed $19M+ P&L and large-scale operations across union and non-union environments
- Achieved significant GOP improvements by enhancing operational efficiency and aligning commercial strategies
- Led cross-functional teams in rooms, F&B, sales, and engineering to achieve operational goals
- Optimized costs and executed revenue strategies to enhance profitability
Skills
- Portfolio performance optimization
- Brand standards and luxury execution
- Hotel repositioning and conversion strategy
- Owner relations and asset value creation
- Data-driven decision making
- KPI development
- Revenue strategy
- Market positioning
- Cross-functional leadership
- Capital planning
- Renovations management
- ROI strategy
- Guest experience enhancement
- Loyalty optimization strategies
- Team leadership development
- Organizational culture management
- Union labor relations
Education And Certifications
- Illinois Real Estate Broker License
- Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
- Hospitality & Tourism Management – Roosevelt University
Board And Leadership
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, Board of Directors and Governance Committee Member
Core Capabilities
- Portfolio Performance Optimization (RevPAR, GOP, Index Growth)
- Brand Standards & Luxury Experience Execution
- Hotel Repositioning & Conversion Strategy
- Owner Relations & Asset Value Creation
- Data-Driven Decision Making & KPI Development
- Revenue Strategy & Market Positioning
- Cross-Functional Leadership (Sales, Ops, F&B, Finance)
- Capital Planning, Renovations & ROI Strategy
- Guest Experience & Loyalty Optimization
- Team Leadership, Culture & Union Labor Relations
Timeline
General Manager
The LaSalle Chicago – Autograph Collection
01.2024 - Current
Real Estate Broker & Asset Advisor
Captivate Real Estate Group at eXp Realty
01.2022 - 01.2024
General Manager
The Gwen – Luxury Collection Hotel
01.2021 - 01.2022
General Manager
Ambassador Chicago – JdV by Hyatt Hotels Corporation
01.2019 - 01.2021
General Manager
Hyatt Regency Deerfield
01.2016 - 01.2019
Director of Operations → General Manager Progression
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg / Hyatt Place Chicago-Itasca / Hyatt Regency Chicago
01.2011 - 01.2016