Citing strong growth in the Americas, Hyatt announced new senior leadership appointments in that region and a new subregional structure designed to further support Hyatt’s continued focus on growth, operational excellence and performance optimization within its largest area.

With this new organizational structure, Hyatt’s Americas region is now composed of two subregions: U.S. & Canada; and Latin America & the Caribbean, led respectively by two newly appointed subregional presidents: Susan Santiago and Gabriel Felip, both of whom report to Pete Sears, group president, Americas.

In her new role, Santiago is responsible for the growth and performance optimization of Hyatt’s owned and managed portfolio. She is in her 32nd year with the company and has held numerous positions leading operational performance, most recently as senior vice president of Hyatt’s lifestyle division and Miraval brand.

In his new position, Felip leads operational performance for all managed and owned Hyatt hotels in the region across all brands, including Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. Felip is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of hospitality and tourism experience; he previously served as Hyatt’s group president of Inclusive Collection global operations.

Included in the Americas’ new subregional structure are three newly created roles within the operations, commercial services and finance functions. Yvette Martinez-Edwards has been promoted to senior vice president, field operations, luxury & Miraval, reporting to Santiago; Shyla Gardner rejoins Hyatt as vice president, commercial services, Latin America & the Caribbean, reporting to Asad Ahmed, senior vice president, commercial services, Americas; and Juan Pablo Puerta now serves as senior vice president, finance, Latin America & the Caribbean, reporting to Liz Bauer, senior vice president, finance, Americas.

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