Meet Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez, the woman driving exceptional hospitality and service solutions for some of the most prestigious global brands. As the founder and CEO of MDA Hospitality Solutions, Mary is leading the charge of designing,
developing, and delivering unmatched training programs for leading international
hotel companies, national grocers, residential communities, country clubs,
entertainment venues, and independent restaurants, to name a few.
D’Argenis-Fernandez began her hospitality career at the happiest place on earth, the
Walt Disney Company, where she held successive leadership positions. Her career
trajectory continued to soar after Disney, where she held progressive leadership roles
at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Fairmont
Hotels.
Fueled by her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the hospitality industry,
D’Argenis-Fernandez established MDA Hospitality in 2015. This full-service training
partner delivers skills-based employee training that results in exceptional, consistent
guest service, increased employee engagement, and increased client profit.
Under D’Argenis-Fernandez’s leadership, MDA has been instrumental in partnering
with forward-thinking companies committed to investing in their team’s
development. Notable clients include Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria,
Conrad, Great Wolf Lodge, Pyramid Global, Oasis Experiences, and The Fresh Market.
Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master of
Education from Worcester State University, and a Master of Business Administration
from Webster University. Mary is a passionate traveler and fitness enthusiast who
resides in central Florida with her two daughters. And, yes, she still visits the Mouse.
The hospitality industry is one of the nation’s largest employers and one of the fastest-growing sectors for job creation. In 2025, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) projects the hotel industry will add around 700,000 jobs, while the U.S. Department of Labor projects an increase of 800,000-plus hospitality jobs by 2033. These projections indicate...