JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group announced that Gilda Perez-Alvarado has been named chief executive officer of the firm’s Americas Hotels & Hospitality Group. Perez-Alvarado will work closely with Mark Wynne Smith, JLL’s Global Chief Executive Officer, Hotels & Hospitality, over the next year to transition leadership responsibilities for the Americas.
In her new role, Perez-Alvarado will lead JLL’s Americas hospitality real estate services including investment sales, debt and equity placement, strategic advisory and asset management. Additionally, Perez-Alvarado will maintain leadership of the Global Hotel Desk, an international team focused on facilitating cross-border transactions, and will continue her global advisory work for JLL’s Capital Markets.
“Gilda has played a pivotal role in growing JLL’s hotels business through marquee transactions and astute leadership, both in the Americas and globally,” said Wynne Smith, who also leads the firm’s International Capital coverage. “Her reputation as an accomplished dealmaker, tireless champion for our clients’ interests and a trusted mentor, advisor and collaborator makes her the ideal leader to build the momentum of our Americas business.”
Perez-Alvarado’s 16 years of hotel industry experience includes 14 years with JLL in Madrid, London, Miami and New York. Prior to this appointment, she served as a managing director focused on full-service global investment sales and managed high-profile transactions. She is a prior recipient of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Jack A. Shaffer Advisor of the Year award and serves as a member of Qiddiya’s Global Advisory Board.
“Understanding ‘what’s next’ is the key to success in the hospitality business. Our culture of innovation and delivering data-driven insights allows us to provide our clients with creative, market-driven answers to these questions,” said Perez-Alvarado. “As CEO, I’m looking forward to leading our incredibly talented team and using our collaborative approach, technology and research to help our clients’ hospitality businesses thrive.”
JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group has completed more transactions than any other hotels and hospitality real estate advisor over the last five years, totaling more than $71 billion worldwide. The group’s 350-strong global team in over 20 countries also closed more than 5,300 advisory, valuation and asset management assignments.
