She is responsible for garnering partner relationships with key stakeholders on an international and domestic level. She spearheads various initiatives with the goal of ensuring hotel projects are successfully achieved with brand, in budget and on schedule.
She also supports the technical services team with a brand and guest perspective so as to create the ultimate Virgin Hotels experience, according to the company.Shammas brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in project design and management, owner relations and brand development. She works closely with Teddy Meyer, VP design/creative director, Virgin Hotels.
Prior to Virgin Hotels, she served as a development services consultant at Montage International. From 2017-2020, she worked for Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts, with the design and development team. Starting as the global director to then later becoming VP, spearheading the design endeavors. She provided design and construction leadership for all the architectural and interior renovations at the existing properties, while simultaneously lending her support on new development and acquisitions for proposed properties.
Before her work at Canyon Ranch, Shammas spent more than 11 years at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. As the executive director, design and construction, she provided owners and developers with support throughout the planning and building of new properties, major renovations and resort residential projects, both domestically and internationally. Prior to that, she was a senior associate at WATG Architects, an international hospitality firm, where she managed numerous projects and brands throughout the world.
“We are thrilled to welcome Leslie to the team,” said James Bermingham, CEO, of Virgin Hotels. “Her expertise and extensive background in representing both ownership and brand operators bring value to each project while supporting on budgets and schedules throughout the process.”
Tags: James Bermingham, Leslie J. Shammas, Teddy Meyer, Virgin Hotels
