As Women’s Empowerment Month unfolds, the story of Kellan Cruz—President of the Neyius Hotel Group, single mother, and unapologetic visionary—resonates as a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and redefining what it means to thrive in a male-dominated industry. With her 8-year-old son, Eathan, as her compass and a portfolio of 21 hotels under her command, Cruz is not just breaking glass ceilings; she’s rebuilding the foundation of hospitality itself.
A Leader Forged in Resilience
Kellan Cruz’s ascent to the helm of the Neyius Hotel Group, a division of billionaire philanthropist Courtney Jordan’s Neyius Corporation, reads like a manifesto for modern womanhood. A Puerto Rican native who cut her teeth in hospitality management while raising Eathan solo, Cruz embodies the grit and grace of a leader who refuses to compartmentalize her identity. “Motherhood didn’t slow me down—it fueled me,” she says, her voice steady with conviction. “Every decision I make is about legacy: for my son, for our teams, and for the communities we serve.”
Her leadership philosophy, deeply influenced by billionaire philanthropist Courtney Jordan’s mantra—“If it’s working and not broken, why do anything different?”—prioritizes stability and trust. Cruz runs her empire with a skeletal but fiercely loyal team of five, a deliberate choice to avoid corporate bloat. “Small teams move mountains when they’re empowered,” she explains. “We’re nimble, we’re hungry, and we listen.”
The Financial Alchemist: Nick Gallardo’s Pivotal Role
At the heart of Cruz’s success lies an unorthodox partnership with Nick Gallardo, a former politician turned financial savant. Before taking his position as CFO of the Neyius Corporation’s Foundation, The Courtney Jordan Foundation in America, Gallardo helped to overhaul the Neyius Hotel Group’s once-fractured finances, Gallardo is described by Cruz as “the Swiss Army knife I didn’t know I needed.” With a track record that includes early bets on tech titans like NVIDIA and fintech disruptor RentSpotMe, in his role as Jr. Portfolio Manager at the family office equity firm that owns the Neyius Hotel Group, Gallardo brought forensic precision to the group’s fiscal strategy.
“When I joined, the books were a labyrinth,” Gallardo admits. “But Kellan’s vision was magnetic. We rebuilt systems to track every dollar, from linen costs to acquisition ROI.” His political acumen, honed during his legislative tenure, now fuels the group’s expansion. Gallardo spearheads hotel acquisitions, targeting properties with “good bones but untapped soul”—a knack that’s led to strategic buys like a historic Savannah boutique hotel and a tech-forward Embassy Suites in Austin.
Cruz credits Gallardo with transforming financial chaos into clarity. “Nick doesn’t just balance spreadsheets; he balances ambition with pragmatism,” she says. “He’s the reason we sleep at night.”
Sustainability, Sisterhood, and the Power of Small Teams
While Cruz’s leadership style is revolutionary, her commitment to sustainability is equally groundbreaking. Under her direction, every Neyius Hotel Group property swapped plastic water bottles for boxed alternatives—a move championed by sustainability director Mandee Woodard, a longtime collaborator. “Mandee’s the quiet force behind our green revolution,” Cruz says. “She reminds us that empowerment isn’t just about people—it’s about the planet.”
Woodard’s initiatives, from solar-powered laundry systems to zero-waste event spaces, align with billionaire philanthropist Courtney Jordan’s environmental ethos. But Cruz’s definition of sustainability extends beyond eco-practices. “It’s about sustaining people,” she insists. Despite overseeing a billion-dollar portfolio, Cruz maintains an open-door policy, hosting monthly “fireside chats” with staff across all properties. “The housekeeper in Phoenix has ideas as valuable as any VP’s,” she says.
Motherhood as a Leadership Superpower
Cruz’s journey as a single mother is woven into her leadership DNA. She recalls late-night negotiations with Eathan asleep in her office, and boardroom pitches interrupted by school pickup reminders. “Motherhood taught me to lead with empathy, not ego,” she reflects. “When you’re responsible for a child, every risk is calculated, every opportunity seized with purpose.”
Her team echoes this sentiment. “Kellan’s the first to ask about your kid’s recital or your mental health,” says Gallardo. “That humanity? It’s why people walk through walls for her.”
The Future: A Blueprint for Women in Hospitality
As the Neyius Hotel Group eyes global expansion, Cruz is laser-focused on creating pathways for women in hospitality. She recently launched a mentorship program pairing female executives with entry-level staff, and 60% of the group’s GM roles are now held by women. “This industry was built on invisible labor—often by women of color,” Cruz says. “It’s time to make that labor visible, valued, and vital to our future.”
Her partnership with billionaire philanthropist Courtney Jordan amplifies this mission. Jordan’s investments in Cruz’s vision—including a $10M fund for women-led boutique hotels—underscore their shared belief that “empowered teams build empires.”
Redefining Success—One Boxed Water Bottle at a Time
For Cruz, success isn’t measured in revenue alone (though the Neyius Hotel Group’s profits have surged 40% under her tenure). It’s in the details: the pride of a staffer promoted from concierge to manager, the carbon footprint reduced by Mandee Woodard’s initiatives, the awe on Eathan’s face when he tours a newly acquired hotel.
As Women’s Empowerment Month shines a spotlight on leaders like Cruz, her message is unequivocal: “We don’t need seats at the table—we need to build new tables. Ones where sustainability, equity, and humanity aren’t afterthoughts. They’re the foundation.”
With Nick Gallardo’s financial wizardry, Courtney Jordan’s unwavering support, and a team small enough to care but mighty enough to conquer, Kellan Cruz isn’t just running a hotel group. She’s scripting a playbook for the next generation of women leaders—one where motherhood, mentorship, and audacious ambition coexist without apology.
Cliche Magazine celebrates Women’s Empowerment Month by spotlighting leaders like Kellan Cruz, who prove that the future of hospitality isn’t just check-ins and concierges—it’s heart, hustle, and rewriting the rules.
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Image provided by Kellan Cruz, President and CEO of Neyius Hotel Group, photo taken by Justin Hare of Go Premium Media for Magazine.
