Name: Heather Geisler
Title: Vice President, Global Brands, Full Service
Company, city: Hyatt; Chicago, Ill.
Number of employees: 110,000 colleagues
Recent project: We recently launched (ANDAZ)RED Cabanas across Andaz hotels in West Hollywood, Mayakoba, Costa Rica, Scottsdale and Maui, with a portion of each cabana booking going directly to support (RED)’s fight to end AIDS. For the Hyatt Regency brand, we launched the Portraits of Understanding initiative, bringing cancer survivors to the Chicago hotel for empowerment, healing and to help them move forward.
First job: I bagged groceries in Chicago at age 15.
Little-known fact about you: I am a devoted yoga practitioner.
Your Business
What innovations or initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next few years? I see the greatest opportunity for innovation in health and wellness. Hotels are approaching wellbeing in different ways; at Hyatt this connects directly to our purpose: we care for people so they can be their best. Wellbeing will present differently across brands — what guests experience at Hyatt Regency will differ from Park Hyatt — but the desire to feel balanced while staying connected will grow. Strategic moves, such as Hyatt’s acquisition of Miraval and partnerships with wellness brands, will enable us to expand meaningful offerings across the portfolio.
Best career advice you’ve received: Don’t boil the ocean. Focus on the most impactful priorities that move the needle in a rapidly changing industry.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? Be thoughtful and deliberate about your work. Prioritize focus over breadth. You don’t need to be the biggest to succeed — build loyal customers by doing fewer things exceptionally well. Less can be more when it’s intentional and impactful.
Heather Geisler as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: My parents were public school teachers, so summers meant family road trips. By the time I went to college I had visited every state in the country except two. Those trips shaped my love of travel and curiosity about different places.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Know what keeps you balanced while you’re on the road. I like structure, and because I practice yoga at home I always make time for it when I travel. Also, always pack flip-flops — practical, light and useful in many situations.
Best advice for business travelers: Focus on balance. Business travel separates you from work routines and family, so intentionally carve out time to maintain those connections and take care of yourself while away.
About Hyatt
Tell us about Hyatt’s brands.
Differentiating our portfolio is a continual priority. Each brand is designed to deliver relevance and purpose for different traveler needs, from the luxury and cultural experiences of Park Hyatt to the relaxed all-inclusive offerings of Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara. Choosing the right brand depends on the trip and the traveler’s expectations, but care is a consistent thread across every Hyatt brand. That means guests can expect a high-quality, genuine and trusted experience no matter which brand they choose.
What can we expect from Hyatt brands in the next five years?
Growth across key segments. Select-service hotels remain a focus as we expand where demand is strongest. Hyatt Centric will continue its expansion in Latin America, and you’ll see broader portfolio growth in China. Beyond footprint expansion, we are committed to improving the guest experience through product, service and wellness innovations.
What amenities can premium travelers expect from a stay at Hyatt’s more upscale brands?
Upscale Hyatt brands emphasize elevated culinary, cultural and wellness experiences. Park Hyatt, for example, delivers curated art and food & beverage programs like Masters of Food & Wine that create memorable moments. As we integrate Miraval and exhale into the portfolio, premium guests can also expect expanded and deeper wellness offerings, broadening how we define restorative travel experiences.