Ysabel Montilla, Area Director of Finance at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport, has had a remarkable 18-year career at Hilton. Starting in 2006 as a Purchasing Manager, Ysabel has grown within the finance departments of properties in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the U.S.! Even after making so much progress in her Hilton career, Ysabel’s passion for growth continues through her exploration of Hilton’s Continuing Education Benefit.
Ysabel’s Guild experience helped her better understand Hilton’s business’s needs from an Owner and Investment perspective while putting her personal and professional learning evolution within reach. Keep reading to learn about Ysabel’s Hilton journey, experience with Guild, favorite courses she took, and advice for those interested in learning with Guild.
Meet Ysabel
“Since joining Hilton in 2006, I embarked on an exciting journey in hospitality. My journey has led me through various positions across different countries, including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the US. My first position was as a Finance Analyst at the Hilton Santo Domingo, where I played a key role in establishing Mexico's Shared Service Office in 2012. I emigrated to the USA in 2015 and continued my career at Hilton holding multiple roles as Area Director of Finance (ADOF) at the Hilton Columbus and ADOF at the Hilton Anatole; I was promoted to Director of Finance at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport in 2020.”
Why did you decide to utilize Guild, Hilton’s tuition-free education benefit?
“I am highly motivated by learning; there is always room for learning and advancement in every aspect of life. When Hilton launched the program to continue your education through Guild, I saw the perfect opportunity to improve my knowledge while preparing for my next role.”
What Guild classes have you taken, and how was your experience?
“I have taken four certificates in total: Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management (Cornell University, 2019), Hotel Revenue Management (Cornell University in 2019 through Hilton University), Hotel Management & Owner Relations (Cornell University, 2022), and Hospitality Leadership (Cornell University, 2023). The platform is easy to use, and your coach will assist you with any help you need while navigating your choices; once you are enrolled and confirmed, an email is sent to you with all the necessary information to get started.”
How will you use what you learned in these courses to grow and develop in your job at Hilton, and how has Guild impacted your career?
“Each certificate has helped me better understand our business's needs from an Owner and Investment perspective. Utilizing my knowledge in revenue management, pricing strategies, and demand forecasting, I can better partner with the team at my three hotels to discuss our forecast.
One of my favorite courses was Owners Relations; building positive relationships with each of my Owners is vital for operational success. This course taught me to identify each type of Owner better, understand their needs in the business, and create effective communication strategies to improve their partnership. Since participating in the Hospitality Leadership course Shine 2, I have learned the importance of leading, inspiring teams and promoting a collaborative environment within Hilton. I can empower teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences and drive business results.”
What advice do you have for Team Members interested in growing and developing using the Guild benefit?
“Professional development is an important aspect of continuing your career growth, so I recommend exploring all the resources and training Hilton offers and choosing what best suits your goals. Once you start your course, decide what best suits your schedule to complete all the homework, and make sure your manager is aware to support you on your journey. It’s also great to use your peers as a resource to implement your newly acquired knowledge in your day-to-day work!”
How else have you taken advantage of Hilton's benefit programs? How has Hilton supported you in your continued learning and development?
“Since I love to travel, my favorite benefit is our GoHilton program! Regarding education, I have been lucky to be surrounded by great leaders who always promote my growth and continued learning. A goal I have for the future is to complete a master’s degree in finance. I am so grateful for all the learning opportunities Hilton has provided in my career, and I look forward to continuing to learn every day.”
