Denise McNeil

No silver spoon here but you could metaphorically surmise that Denise McNeil may have been born with one of those soft room key soothers in her mouth.

Growing up in Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island, Denise’s potential was recognized early on by her parents, owners of a small property, who put her to work at the family business as soon as possible. Denise will tell you that those were the days when the closest thing to a computer at the front desk reception area was a poster board filled with paper rack cards.

Obviously, it took some extensive training, deep attention to the communications revolution, and a whole lot of smarts to progress to her current position at New Castle as the VP, Digital Strategy and eCommerce.

Inspired by her childhood gig, Denise went on to graduate from the Tourism Hospitality Management program at Mount Saint Vincent University. The program allowed her to take part in an incredibly memorable work experience at Jasper Park Lodge, which she will be quick to note came before marriage, kids, and a mortgage. After her studies, Denise launched her career with NCH in revenue management at the Westin Nova Scotian. And while they won’t share the year she started out with them; they can disclose that it coincided with Eddy Murphy’s “Party All the Time” climbing rapidly up the Billboard 100 chart.

Despite being known as a consummate professional and fearless leader, Denise remains at heart an “Islander”; returning home frequently to spend time with family and enjoy cottaging and beach life.

And while she may modestly describe herself in her off-work hours as someone who likes to stay connected to home life, particularly supporting her children in their active paddling competitions, she allows that she’s been an active concert spectator, the most memorable being held at a small theatre in Portland, Maine featuring her favourite band Snow Patrol. In fairness, Denise’s affinity for Snow Patrol is likely the only time she has ever been “off-brand”.

A consummate professional who has witnessed advocated and managed dramatic change in the hospitality industry, Denise defines NCH's commitment to innovation. Snow Patrol aside.