Lynn Mucciano is an accomplished leader in the hospitality industry, currently serving as Vice President of Sales, Global Hotel Brands at Tambourine. With over two decades of executive experience, she has spearheaded sales, marketing, and business development for renowned organizations, such as Turnberry Associates, The Procaccianti Group (TPG), Marshall Hotels & Resorts, Vision Hospitality Group, and Prism Hotels & Resorts. Mucciano is known for driving innovation and improving bottom-line profitability.
Mucciano’s work has spanned boutique hotels, global brands, and large-scale property management, making her a key figure in advancing hospitality excellence worldwide. She has successfully managed multi-million-dollar operations, helping reposition brands and streamline operations for optimal performance. She excels in fostering team collaboration, executing comprehensive digital marketing strategies, and enhancing guest experiences across luxury hotel portfolios. Throughout her career, Mucciano has consistently delivered results through a combination of visionary leadership, consultative selling, and deep market insights. Her passion for hospitality extends beyond operational success, focusing on creating meaningful partnerships and community impact.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Outlook Magazine, Lynn shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion, the secret sauce behind her success, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Lynn. Can you walk us through your background and what you’re most passionate about in your work?
I’m fourth generation female in my family in the hospitality industry. I come from a long line of professionally successful women in hospitality that I am very proud of. In my career, I have taken a less than traditional path. I’ve been fortunate to work predominantly for serial entrepreneurs and have held leadership roles across various companies such as Prism Hotels and Resorts, Vision Hospitality Group, The Procaccianti Group, Turnberry Associates and Goldman Properties, and now Tambourine. My expertise spans business development, sales strategy, and commercial innovation, particularly within hotel and mixed-use property management sectors. Having had the ability to work cross functionally and creatively, I am most passionate about driving profitability, improving operational efficiency, and fostering strong partnerships to create exceptional guest experiences across global brands and boutique properties.
What aspects of your current role bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
I have a passion for driving innovation within the hospitality industry. This includes collaborating with global brands and bespoke collections to deliver high-impact commercial strategies, using advanced technology to boost performance, and see tangible improvements in client profitability and market positioning. Additionally, working with diverse teams across the globe, fostering partnerships, brings me great satisfaction.
What emerging trends or innovations excite you for the future of hospitality?
There are a few emerging trends that excite me,
- Personalization through AI and Data Analytics – Using technology to tailor guest experiences and predict preferences.
- Sustainability – Integrating eco-friendly practices into hotel operations, reducing environmental impact.
- Hyperlocal Experiences – Creating deeper connections with local culture and unique, immersive offerings at properties.
How do you stay ahead of industry trends and incorporate innovative ideas into your operations?
Tambourine is a commercial strategy incubator for the hospitality industry. We always have innovation at the forefront of our organization. For me, some of the things I try to lean into include
- Continuous Learning: Attending industry conferences, reading hospitality reports, and networking with thought leaders to stay informed about trends.
- Data-Driven Insights: Leveraging data analytics to monitor market shifts and guest preferences.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with our clients to identify pain points that evolve into integrated cutting-edge solutions.
- Team Innovation: Encouraging cross-functional teams to bring forward new ideas and regularly brainstorming to implement forward-thinking solutions across operations.
These strategies help us to be constantly evolving.
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion? How important is it to have authentic conversations with leaders, professionals, and changemakers to create more acceptance across the globe?
Diversity and inclusion are crucial for fostering creativity, innovation, and a more equitable world. Engaging in authentic conversations with leaders and changemakers across our industry helps build bridges, create awareness, and drives acceptance globally. In the hospitality industry, this can lead to better guest experiences, a more inclusive workforce, and alignment with global shifts toward equity. I’m fortunate that our Tambourine culture thrives on building diverse teams, encourages innovative solutions, enabling us to cater to varied customer needs, while acceptance and respect for different cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds pave the way for more impactful collaborations.
You were recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Hospitality for 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret sauce behind your success.
Building strong relationships, is probably first and foremost, followed by results, and demonstrating the ability to blend deep expertise with vision, towards transforming operations, fostering innovation, and improving bottom-line performance. I also find that having a consultative approach and commitment to team collaboration has been beneficial.
In your academic or work career, were there any mentors who have helped you grow along the way?
Two very impactful mentors have influenced my life and career. First was the late Tony Goldman, an entrepreneurial real estate developer, who was instrumental in the urban renewal of the architecturally significant South Beach, Florida. There are too many “Tony-isms” to mention that I rely on! I spent a decade working to revitalize and establish a hospitality and mixed-use presence that remains world class today. He had a profound impact on my work ethic, my growth personally and professionally, and my world view. The other is Philip Goldfarb, now COO of Fontainebleau Development who mentored me for the better part of a decade at Turnberry Associates, and remains a mentor today, as well as a friend. He would say, “The cash register is in the field!” I have never forgotten that and remind myself of this truism regularly.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
The advice to stay flexible and resilient, embrace new ideas, and always push for excellence- the best idea wins.
What’s a leadership lesson that you’ve learnt that’s unique to being a female leader?
The importance of balancing empathy with assertiveness. As women in leadership, we often face expectations around nurturing roles, but excelling in leadership involves combining that strength in relationship-building with decisiveness and confidence. Leading authentically, while understanding and leveraging emotional intelligence, can be a powerful tool in creating high-performing teams.
What is your biggest stress reliever?
It’s either a complete quiet time in solitude or rocking out at a concert with friends. There is NO in between!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
In five years, I envision myself continuing to drive innovation within the hospitality industry, particularly in the realm of global and bespoke hotel brands. I also see myself mentoring emerging leaders in hospitality, sharing insights and strategies to help them navigate the complexities of the industry.
What advice would you give to anyone starting out on their career in your industry?
If I could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in the hospitality industry, it would be to prioritize building strong relationships—with guests, colleagues, and industry partners. Hospitality is all about creating exceptional experiences, and success in the industry often hinges on your ability to connect with people, listen to their needs, and go the extra mile to make them feel valued. A genuine focus on people, combined with a deep understanding of service, will set you apart and open doors for growth in this dynamic industry.