Eileen Ford is the sales director at Haines Hotel Services Group (HHS). She started at HHS in June 2007. Her background includes positions at such hotel chains as Homewood Suites by Hilton, Doubletree Guest Suites, Sheraton, and ESA Hotel Group. Currently with HHS, her focus is project construction business, extended stay groups, and several annual conferences — always making sure clients are receiving great service at affordable rates. 

Ford is also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about her work, leadership philosophies, and more so you can get to know her better.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    “Going There” by Katie Couric.
  2. What do you love most about the industry?
    I love the challenge of “closing the deal”. Finding the perfect hotel for a project or conference. I love the relationships I have with my clients and hotel teams.
  3. What is something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    I still love to learn/try new hotels and traveling through my kids eyes now. It is still exciting to me.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Multitasking and making sure that your team still feels like a priority.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    Lunch! LOL, I would say I try to incentivize by giving them ownership on projects and accounts.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    My daughter Maggie. She is smart and fearless. And my best friend who is battling and beating cancer. She does it with humor and such grace. I am inspired everyday by her.
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    I am so blown away by the smart amazing women that are headed to the top of their companies. When I started in the industry that was not the case and now I am working with women general managers, area directors, chief financial officers and vice presidents. It is an amazing thing to see. I am so proud of all of them.
  8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
    Willingness to learn and take on new tasks. You do not have to know everything but if you are willing to learn the sky is the limit.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    That I am resilient. I think doing business in the COVID-19 era has taught all of us this. I see clients and hoteliers that work so hard and never stop. We all have had to roll with constant changes and staffing shortages.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    “Making Space With Hoda Kotb”. S    he is the most positive person and I had the chance to meet her while in New  York City. She is a great person.
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity and honesty. Work ethic. I think my clients know that I will always be straight forward about any situation and I won’t give up until the task at hand is accomplished.
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I will always try — even if the request or obstacle seems impossible. Those are the best hurdles to cross.
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    At home, which is where my office is. I am a working mom and my kids will always come first.
  14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    San Francisco. Such an amazing city and the people/atmosphere is the best.
  15. What is a top item on your bucket list?
    Travel to Greece and then to Ireland.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Girls weekends, vacations with my kids, and I love trying new restaurants in D.C. and Bethesda, MD.
  17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    My three children.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    NEVER listen to others. You can do anything you set your mind to. If they are telling you that you can’t, it is because they are afraid you will!
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    My children and my dogs. 
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    That it is women marking their mark in an industry that USED to be dominated by men only.

If you would like to become a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member or need additional information about our organization, click here.