Kimberly Crabtree | Age 27
Director of Events, Oretta Hospitality Inc., Toronto
In 2014, Kimberly Crabtree was offered a spot in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management. But after suffering a head industry, she was forced her to withdraw temporarily. One of her guest lecturers advised the class that having at least six months of experience in housekeeping as a room attendant was the most impressive item to see on a young person’s resume.
So, while she waited to return to school, Crabtree worked as a room attendant at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which led her to become part of The Fairmont’s Student Workplace Employment Program (SWEP), where she had the chance to learn from and interact with the hotel’s leadership team.
Since then, Crabtree has tried her hand at various hotel and restaurant roles at such places as the Fairmont Royal York, TOCA at Ritz-Carlton Toronto and most recently with Oretta Hospitality Inc. where she helped open the Oretta Midtown in December 2021. In May 2022, she was sought after to spearhead the events team to streamline the events-planning process. In the past year, she has overseen the implementation of new events software and assembled an events team, which she is actively mentoring to hone their planning skills.
“I have rarely seen a more dedicated and passionate employee in my entire career,” says Jan Stoeckmann, director of Operations at Oretta Hospitality.
