With over 27 years of hospitality experience, Joanna Sanchez has held executive roles with W, Westin, and Sheraton, consistently driving top performance in guest satisfaction, team engagement, and revenue growth. She now serves as the General Manager of the W Hoboken Hotel & Residences in Hoboken, NJ. Joanna is on the Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of New York City, previously served as Chair of Marriott’s New Jersey Business Council and mentors emerging leaders through the Partnering for Success Program. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Trinity University and enjoys spending time with her family traveling, surfing, golfing, and volunteering.
What first interested you in your area of the hospitality industry?
My father was an airline pilot, so I grew up traveling and staying in hotels around the world. I developed the travel bug at an early age and was inspired by the different experiences, cultures, and people I encountered. That passion for travel eventually led me to a career in hospitality.
Who are a few of the people that have encouraged your career?
I have been fortunate to work with many great leaders throughout my career. One who had a particularly strong impact on me was a Director of Operations I worked with when I was an Event Coordinator. As I became interested in hotel operations and transitioned into a Welcome Desk Manager role, he encouraged me to work in different markets, cultures, and hotel brands to gain a broader understanding of the business. That advice shaped my career and helped me develop as a leader.
What challenges do you think people face in your industry?
Hospitality is constantly evolving, so one of the biggest challenges is adapting to change while still delivering a consistent guest experience. Guest expectations, technology, workforce trends, and market conditions are always shifting. Successful hospitality professionals need to be flexible, resilient, and committed to continuous learning.
Joanna Sanchez
Can you cite a few accomplishments that have given you great pride and elevated your work?
While I am proud of the business results and guest satisfaction scores I’ve achieved throughout my career, I am especially proud of the impact we have had on our associates and community. At multiple properties, I have had the privilege of leading teams that achieved exceptional associate engagement scores. I am also incredibly proud of our partnership with the Hoboken Public School District’s transition program for students with disabilities. For the past three years, we have welcomed students into our hotel each week to help them develop workplace and life skills through hands-on experiences. Watching their confidence grow while giving back to our community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
What piece of advice can you lend to others who are considering your career?
You should genuinely enjoy working with people and creating memorable experiences for others. Hospitality is a career where no two days are the same, which makes it exciting and rewarding. Be willing to learn, stay curious, and take advantage of opportunities to work in different areas of the business. The more experiences you gain, the stronger leader you will become.
Everyone who works in hospitality has a story to tell about something incredible that happened on the job. What’s one that you often tell?
One story I often share happened during a major snowstorm while I was at W Hoboken. A couple was staying with us for their wedding weekend, but the blizzard caused widespread cancellations and disruptions throughout the area. Their church was able to host the ceremony, but their reception venue could not operate. Our hotel operations and food-and-beverage teams quickly came together and transformed Halifax into a reception space on very short notice. Despite the blizzard, the couple was able to celebrate with their family and friends, and what could have been a disappointing day became a wonderful memory. Moments like that remind me why I love this industry.
What do you hope people understand about those who work in your area of hospitality?
Hospitality is about much more than providing a room or serving a meal. Behind every guest experience is a team of talent working around the clock to anticipate needs, solve problems, and create memorable moments. It takes creativity, teamwork, empathy, and a genuine passion for assisting others.
Is there anything else you want Woman Around Town readers to know?
Hospitality has given me opportunities to travel, learn from incredible people, and build lifelong relationships. What keeps me passionate after all these years is the ability to positively impact guests, associates and the community. Whether it’s helping create a special memory for a traveler or mentoring someone as they grow in their career, those connections are what make this industry so rewarding.
For more information, go to the website for W Hoboken.
Photos courtesy of W Hoboken
