Ashley Steele
Corporate Director of Operations
"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."
- Oscar Wilde
Ashley Steele is a seasoned hospitality operations leader with nearly two decades of experience with Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), bringing extensive expertise in hotel operations, financial performance, guest satisfaction, associate development and multi-property leadership. As Corporate Director of Operations, Ashley provides above-property operational oversight across a diverse portfolio of hotels including Hilton Garden Inn, Residence Inn by Marriott, Hyatt Place and Sheraton hotels. Her experience spans strategic hotel operations, budgeting and forecasting, P&L management, cost controls, brand standards, ownership transitions, talent development and new hotel integrations.
Throughout her career with HVMG, Ashley has built a strong track record of improving hotel performance while maintaining a focus on the guest and associate experience. She has led hotels across Hilton, Marriott, Choice and other brands and has been recognized for achievements in profitability, guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
Her leadership accomplishments include being named 2018 General Manager of the Year and one of Hotel Management magazine's Top 37 GMs to Watch. Under her leadership, SpringHill Suites Atlanta Downtown was named Hotel of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, along with earning recognition for financial performance and improvements in guest satisfaction.
Ashley holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Development from Auburn University at Montgomery and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University.
Experience
- 2026 - Present : Corporate Director of Operations, HVMG
- 2021 - 2025 : Area General Manager, HVMG
- 2009 - 2021 : General Manager for Various Hotels, HVMG
Robert S. Cole
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Michael "Woody" Woodward
EVP & Chief Growth Officer
Sue Sanders
EVP & Chief Strategy and Administrative Officer
Richard Jones
EVP & Chief Operating Officer
Matthew Woodruff
EVP & Chief Brand Partner Officer
Ronald Mader
SVP, Operations
Bob Kisker
SVP, Operations
Andy Wardner
SVP, Acquisitions & Asset Management
Suzanne Saunders
SVP, Design & Construction
Jessica Myers
SVP, Finance & Accounting
Wilson Turner
SVP, Human Resources
Melissa Arana
SVP, Revenue Performance and Analytics
Maggie Rosa
VP, Operations
Jamison Conrey
VP, Engineering, Capital Projects & Risk Management
Bryan Gatzemeyer
VP, Business Intelligence and Analytics
Heidi Nielsen
VP, Business Development
Nikki Thomas
Corporate VP of Sales
Doll Wicker
Corporate VP of Commercial Strategy
Carla McDonald
Regional VP of Commercial Revenue Strategy
Carleigh Murphy
Corporate Director of Finance & Accounting
Bill Gentile
Corporate Director, Food & Beverage
Kim Brooks-Martin
Corporate Director of Sales Strategy and Performance
Denise Hanas
Corporate Director of Marketing Strategy
Ken Morgan
Director of Operations
Mandisa Brown de González
Corporate HR Director, Programs & Support
Margarita Quintero
Corporate HR Director, Transitions & Support
Carolann Hardy
Director of Operations Performance and Support
Corey Dutra
Director of Acquisitions & Financial Analysis