Sabrina Sterling
Portland,OR
Summary
Hospitality professional with expertise in event execution and operational leadership. Demonstrated success in managing cross-departmental teams to streamline processes and enhance guest experiences. Skilled in optimizing logistics for complex events while ensuring compliance and delivering exceptional service under pressure.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Sunrise Day Lodge
Mount Rainier National Park, WA
05.2026 - 07.2026
- Short-term leadership contract overseeing lodge, retail, and F&B at 6,500 ft in an isolated setting; lived onsite with staff to stabilize operations during peak season.
- Led a resident team of 10: hiring support, onboarding, safety briefings, scheduling, payroll, cash handling, and daily shift communications.
- Streamlined cash controls and inventory management while ensuring compliance with health and sanitation standards; coordinated NPS inspections for environmental and safety protocols.
- Oversaw ordering for guest operations and employee provisions, optimizing stock levels and merchandising for efficient service delivery.
- Directed pre/post-season setup and teardown, maintaining accurate operational records and financial reporting.
- Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Sales & Catering Operations Manager
Warsugai
Portland, OR
09.2024 - 04.2026
- Managed inbound event logistics/catering pipeline with sub-12-hour response times; led tours, proposals, detailing, and post-event reconciliation to ensure seamless event delivery.
- Managed invoicing, deposits, and financial closeouts; supported beverage program and package design to elevate average event value.
- Built cross-departmental collaboration with culinary and ownership to ensure smooth execution; developed training materials to enhance FOH and event staff capabilities.
- Portland, OR
Founder & Lead Planner
Obrigada Events
Portland, OR
03.2021 - 09.2024
- Produced weddings, retreats, and nonprofit fundraisers end-to-end, integrating creative vision with logistics, budgets, vendor relations, and guest flow to ensure seamless execution.
- Specialized in remote/multi-day events: permitting, infrastructure, transportation, and layered production schedules.
- Stabilized high-pressure programs, including a full-venue, multi-day wedding buyout and a campground wedding taken over with six weeks' notice.
- Collaborated with regional nonprofits (Janus Youth Programs, Cascade AIDS Project, Portal Arts Collective) to enhance fundraising outcomes through strategic event planning and support.
- Portland, OR
General Manager
Petisco
Portland, OR
10.2015 - 08.2024
- Grew private event revenue ~30% in year one by tightening systems, communication, and offerings.
- Led FOH operations, including hiring, training, scheduling, payroll, inventory management, service standards, beverage programming, and vendor relations to enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed SOPs and onboarding systems, enhancing consistency and accountability across teams.
- Coordinated resources and shared best practices with sister venues to optimize operational synergy.
- Portland, OR
Venue & Events Manager
The Bad Habit Room
Portland, OR
01.2017 - 01.2024
- Coordinated end-to-end sales and execution of events, managing inquiries, site tours, BEOs, staffing, vendor coordination, permitting, invoicing, and reconciliation to ensure seamless client experiences.
- Developed full-service private events program, including pricing, contracts, workflows, SOPs, and promotional assets, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Balanced simultaneous events with accurate detailing and high-touch client care.
- Portland, OR
General Manager
Hotel Lucia
Portland, OR
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Drove event revenue through effective client consultations and property tours, ensuring seamless execution with culinary, banquet, and operations teams.
- Oversaw boutique hotel operations (front office, housekeeping, restaurant/catering); coordinated sales and banquets for large teams (20-300+), ensuring high service standards and guest satisfaction.
- Portland, OR
Event & Sales Manager
Jupiter Hotel & Doug Fir Lounge
Portland, OR
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Managed event sales for boutique hotel, live music venue, and hospitality properties, ensuring successful contract negotiations, room block arrangements, and catering/beverage upsells.
- Coordinated hospitality, production, and culinary teams, overseeing billing processes, deposit collection, and financial reconciliation.
- Portland, OR
Education
Associate of Arts - Hospitality & Project Management Studies
Portland Community College
PortlandSkills
- General management
- Boutique hotel operations
- Multi-unit operations
- Private events sales
- Event execution
- Weddings
- BEOs
- Client relations
- Contract negotiation
- Community engagement
- Cross-departmental leadership
- P&L oversight
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Cash controls
- Reconciliation
- SOP design
- Process improvement
- Compliance
- Team hiring
- Training
- Development
- Staffing
- Labor management
- Shift leadership
- Front-of-house management
- Beverage management
- Beverage programming
- Menu collaboration
- Vendor management
- Operational standards
- Room readiness
- Property walk-throughs
- De-escalation
- Venue marketing
- Corporate sales
- Digital marketing
- Event platforms
- CRM
- POS familiarity
- Rural logistics
- Permitting
- Outdoor production
- Maintenance oversight
- Guest recovery
- Brand representation
- Room readiness
- Guest recovery
- Brand representation
Community
- Produced annual fundraisers for Janus Youth Programs (20+ years).
- Coordinated events in support of Cascade AIDS Project and Portal Arts Collective.
- Advocate for accessible, community-centered hospitality-teams first, guest delight follows.
Select Outcomes
- 30% YoY lift in private event revenue within 13 months (restaurant-venue program).
- Built repeat/referral client base through sub-12-hour inquiry responses and consistent post-event follow-up.
- Delivered high-complexity outdoor and multi-day programs with complete vendor recovery and permitting under tight timelines.
- Stabilized seasonal, remote operations with clear shift communications, safety alignment, and disciplined cash/inventory controls.
Additional Notable Experience
The Colony, Event & Sales Manager, 01/01/12, 12/31/16, Multi-space facility ops (Airbnbs, commissary kitchen, four event spaces); cross-department coordination; tailored sales strategies.
Timeline
General Manager
Sunrise Day Lodge
05.2026 - 07.2026
Sales & Catering Operations Manager
Warsugai
09.2024 - 04.2026
Founder & Lead Planner
Obrigada Events
03.2021 - 09.2024
Venue & Events Manager
The Bad Habit Room
01.2017 - 01.2024
General Manager
Petisco
10.2015 - 08.2024
General Manager
Hotel Lucia
01.2006 - 01.2008
Event & Sales Manager
Jupiter Hotel & Doug Fir Lounge
01.2003 - 01.2006
Associate of Arts - Hospitality & Project Management Studies
Portland Community College