Words From The Wise: Zhang Lei
With applications open for the ninth edition of Stelliers, we sat down with Ms. Zhang Lei to learn more about her journey as an experienced hotelier and Stelliers alumni who first began her career in hospitality in 1982 with the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel. Since then, Zhang’s extensive career – spanning some 32 years – has progressed exponentially, having held positions within ITT Sheraton and Starwood from 1985 to 2014 in roles that have ranged from Front Office Manager, Director of Rooms and Director of Sales and Marketing to Deputy General Manager and General Manager, and as Owner Representative for the past eight years at the Guardian Investment Corp. since 2015.
Zhang Lei
Currently Owner Representative at Puxuan Hotel and Spa, Beijing
Winner of the 2021 Owner Representative Stelliers Award
How and why did you get into the hospitality industry?
I didn’t have much knowledge of the hotel industry prior to joining in 1982. However, I was invited to join the team at the Great Wall Hotel, a joint venture project with a team that was looking to find someone with foreign language skills. I delightedly accepted and felt lucky to find the job, because not only did I end up loving the work, but it allowed me to really utilize the communication skills I had acquired after majoring in English.
When you applied for Stelliers in 2021, who did you approach for your testimonials as part of your application?
During the applications process for Stelliers, I approached our previous General Manager at the Puxuan Hotel and Spa, Beijing, Mathew Cooper, who kindly provided my testimonial for my application back in 2021. We worked very closely and thus was the most appropriate person to provide the testimonial for my application.
Were there any mentors or individuals who inspired you as you progressed your career as a hotelier?
When I first joined the hotel industry, I had the privilege of working alongside inspirational colleagues from all corners of the globe. While working at one of the first international hotel chains in China in 1985 (ITT Sheraton, which later came under Starwood): Peter Sun, the first General Manager during the opening of the hotel; Joe Rossman and Max Whileham, the first General Manager and Hotel Manager when ITT Sheraton took over, and General Manager Leon Larking. I learned so much from each one of them, and thanks to their trust and guidance, I was able to progress through key positions at the Great Wall Sheraton: Front Office Manager, Director of Rooms and Director of Sales and Marketing.
What advice would you give to those applying to Stelliers this year?
Stelliers offers a fantastic platform through which you can meet a variety of people working in the hospitality industry and from whom you can learn new ideas and stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Through the sharing of hotelier stories, as well as offering the chance to meet peers in your industry at the final awards ceremony, Stelliers provides ample opportunity for younger hoteliers to gain fresh insight and advice from more experienced hoteliers, and vice versa! It is a wonderful recognition platform for the entire hospitality industry, and serves as great motivation for professionals in all types of positions, rank and departments – especially during the pandemic. Be authentically you, and be proud to share your achievements.
You too could be a Stellier! There’s only 7 days to go before applications for the Stelliers 2022 edition closes – have you submitted your application yet?
From gathering testimonials to preparing materials about your achievements, it is critical to be mindful of the timeline so that you don’t find yourself scrambling last minute!
Add these key dates to your calendar now:
Applications Close
June 17
Finalist Announcement
August 26
Awards Ceremony
December 9