Colleen A. O'Shea

Accomplished Director of Development with over 19 years of franchise sales and hospitality development experience, currently leading Hilton Hotels Corporation’s franchise growth across the Northeastern U.S.

Successfully expanded the footprint of Hilton’s full portfolio of brands—including focused-service, extended-stay, and lifestyle segments—in one of the most complex and competitive markets in the country. Trusted with expanded responsibility to represent the entire brand family, driving strategic market penetration, identifying high-potential developers, and closing high-impact deals in underbuilt and urban-infill areas.

Known for strong relationship-building, market analysis, and deal execution that align corporate growth goals with franchisee success.

• Establish brand presence in key target markets across the Eastern U.S. focusing on high barrier to entry urban, secondary and tertiary markets for a newly created Brand.
• Delivered a pipeline of franchise deals representing $50M + in projected system-wide revenue.
• Secured franchise agreements within assigned territory for new construction projects.
• Established strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring long-term partnerships and repeat business.
• Demonstrated exceptional adaptability in navigating complex situations or rapidly changing environments with ease.
• Consistently met or exceeded annual performance targets set by senior leadership.
• Oversaw expansion into new markets, conducting market research and adapting strategies for market penetration.

• Leading the DiLeonardo Sales and Marketing efforts for the US market for both upscale/luxury and mid market segments of hospitality design. Responsible for the creation of Di Studio, a studio within the company that focuses on select service mid-market projects. Spearheaded internal team for the creation of website and marketing materials for business development. Exceeded sales goals of over $1.6 million for the year, with a current pipeline of over $1 million. Coordinated the sales and marketing efforts across the company to include Asia and Middle East markets. Manages the Business Development Manager and Marketing Manager to generate leads for sales team and ensure marketing materials are tailored to clients’ needs for business development meetings and presentations. Performs administrative tasks to include the upkeep and management of Salesforce to track opportunities, pipeline, and client information. Speaker at industry conferences to include BD West and honored as “Person of Interest: One to Watch in 2015” by Hotel Business Design.

• Lead the Gettys ONE team in Sales and Marketing for U.S. markets within the select service segment of hospitality for design and procurement. Generated sales leads for pipeline of $1.5 million of revenue in new and continued business. Responsible for the creation of a new website, social media campaigns, sales collateral, and marketing analysis reports resulting in Gettys maintaining a competitive place in the market. Created trade show booths and marketing and promotional items for distribution. Performed contract bidding and negotiation to address clients’ needs while maintaining projected earnings.

• Assisted the Vice President for Development in the Northwest Region of the U.S. with initial analysis of upcoming and emerging markets for franchise development for Hilton brands. Supported two Regional Directors in the Midwest and Western Regions for business development needs. Interfaced with new and existing franchisees and assisted in the review, processing, and research of all applications for Hilton Franchises in a 20-state region in preparation for Franchise Review Committee consideration. Supported the Vice President in tracking product improvement plans and processing indemnification letters. Attended regional conferences and provided potential franchisees with information about Hilton brands including potential markets for development. Provided general office and administrative support to the Vice President.

• Certified Core Dynamics Teacher after completing a 500-hour course training program, including teaching, observing, personal practice and the daily management of a Pilates studio. Responsible for personal training of individual clients and advising on training regiments based on bodily assessments.

• Coordinated among over 250 hotels managed and owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation to implement computerized position management software in PeopleSoft. Responsibilities included collecting and analyzing data to determine how individual locations could best manage personnel. Responsible for writing test scripts that would determine functionality for new software. Additionally, upon implementation of new software and management structure, responsible for updating data and tailoring information based on the specific needs of each location.

• Responsible for electronic trading the Standard and Poors (S&P’s) and NASDAQ Indexes for a proprietary trading firm. Trained for technical market analysis and responsible for executing individual trades. Tracked historical market data and made projected movements based on market analysis.

• Seven years of experience as a domestic and international flight attendant as well as experience in managing, training, and guiding other crew members. Promoted to become a primary safety responder for onboard emergencies and managed employees and safety equipment aboard aircraft including installation of new terrorism-related safety measures, response to in-flight emergencies including passenger evacuation, cabin defense, and CPR response, and as liaison to World Headquarters.

• Assisted Executive Vice Presidents and senior management as worldwide managers of United Airlines operation, coordinated activities with business representatives, arranged and managed travel plans, coordinated management information systems for over 200 employees.