Yojainna Otero

Director of Catering & Conference Services

Yojainna Otero began her career in the hospitality industry in 1998 when she graduated from UTSA with a business management degree with a concentration in tourism management. “My degree program required 700 hours in three different hospitality internships, so I interned at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and at the Omni La Mansión del Rio hotel,” Otero said. “When I graduated, the Omni La Mansión del Rio General Manager created a management trainee position for me where I had the opportunity to work in all hotel operations departments.”

After working at the Omni La Mansión de Rio for ten years, Otero worked as Director of Catering & Conference Services at the Westin Riverwalk for 14 years. She returned to the Omni La Mansión and Mokara Hotel & Spa in January of this year as Director of Catering & Conference Services.

“I think that it’s crucial for the hotel industry to promote diversity and gender equity,” she said. “It’s important to have women in leadership in our business because we lead with emotional intelligence, which is essential for working with employees and guests.”

When asked about some of the trends in hospitality she is seeing, Otero noted that social media and other online platforms play an increasingly important role in promoting a property and finding new business opportunities. “Reputation management is huge for us in this industry,” she said. “Positive online reviews are valued now more than ever.”

Otero said that one of her favorite aspects of her job is making memories for clients and guests with her team. “I am blessed to have such a fabulous team of employees,” she said. “We have a group of young and very talented women in our Catering & Conference Services Department. I’m honored to help my team members develop in their careers and professional growth. In fact, the best part of my job is to be able to mentor employees and share what I’ve learned over 25 years in the business.”

For young women who are considering a career in the hospitality industry, Otero has some advice. She emphasized that the number one priority is to develop a strong and professional relationship with everyone they interact with. “As big as the hospitality industry is, it’s also really small, and your reputation is so important.”