With over two decades in global hospitality, Sandra Gregory is a leader who thrives in moments of complexity and change. She consistently proves that exceptional hospitality begins with genuine connection and community care. Her career journey is a masterclass in building a profession from the ground up. She started out in the dish pit and worked her way through dynamic destinations into executive leadership. Along the way, she gained deep, hands-on experience in food and beverage, accommodations, adventure tourism operations, and business development.
Now serving as Chief of Accommodation and Hospitality at Sun Peaks Grand and Resort, Sandra is guiding the evolution of Canada’s second-largest ski area into a premier, year-round destination. She specializes in turnarounds and transformation. She is known for stepping into fast-paced, complex environments to clarify strategy, strengthen workplace culture, and build resilient, people-first operations.
Her commitment to creating a sense of belonging extends well beyond resort borders. As the founder of Revelstoke Unstuck, a grassroots community initiative, Sandra channels her deep care for people into direct resources for vulnerable individuals. She does this through simple, powerful acts of kindness, connection, and care.
Sandra recently joined the BC Hotel Association Board of Directors. She brings extensive operational expertise, a community-first philosophy, and mission-driven leadership to support the association’s work. We connected with Sandra to learn more about the milestones that have shaped her career, her approach to leading with heart, and the opportunities ahead for hospitality in British Columbia.
Hospitality offers many career paths. Which roles or departments have had the biggest impact on your journey?
“Hospitality offers many career paths, but the experiences that have shaped me most came from working on the front lines.“
“I started in dishwashing, and it gave me an appreciation for how much the little things matter. Something as simple as scraping a plate, soaking it in water, or stacking dishes properly can make the next person’s job easier. It reinforced the idea that we’re all connected and that being thoughtful about how we hand work off to others makes a difference. Housekeeping was probably the fittest I’ve ever been in my life. The physical demands and attention to detail required in that role can never be understated. It’s one of the most important departments in any hotel and often one of the least visible. Guests may never meet the people preparing their rooms, but they experience the results of their work every day. That role gave me a deep respect for the teams working behind the scenes to create exceptional guest experiences.“
“In guest experience roles, I learned the value of staying calm when emotions are running high, showing compassion, and finding solutions in real time. Every interaction is different, and often what people need most is to feel heard and understood. Food and beverage showed me that everyone brings a different perspective. Success comes from being present, reading the room, connecting with people, and understanding what will make their experience memorable. Sales introduced me to the business side of our industry. Understanding revenue, contracts, partnerships, and long-term planning helped me see how guest experiences and business success go hand in hand.“
“Events and banquets reinforced the importance of adaptability. When you’re creating experiences for hundreds of people, things don’t always go according to plan. Those roles required creativity, teamwork, and the ability to make something happen, sometimes with very little notice. They also gave me a healthy appreciation for the impact of overpromising and the importance of setting teams up for success.“
“Looking back, what I’m most grateful for is the opportunity to work alongside incredible people in so many different areas of hospitality. Every department has its own expertise, challenges, and pressures, but what I learned is that no one succeeds alone. The guest experience is ultimately a reflection of the team experience. When people feel supported, respected, and connected to a common purpose, they create remarkable experiences for guests. Having the chance to learn from so many teams throughout my career has shaped not only how I lead, but how I view hospitality as a whole.“
What do you hope to contribute through your role on the BCHA Board?
“Hospitality has given me far more than a career. It has given me opportunities, lifelong friendships, incredible mentors, and experiences that have shaped who I am today. Serving on the BCHA Board is an opportunity to give back to an industry that has given so much to me.“
“I am passionate about helping elevate hospitality as a profession and sharing what an incredible industry it is to be part of. Hospitality offers opportunities for people from all backgrounds and at every stage of their careers. My own journey began in frontline roles, and because people took the time to invest in me, encourage me, and create opportunities for growth, I was able to build a career I never could have imagined when I first started. That’s one of the things I love most about our industry. There isn’t one path to success. Hospitality creates opportunities for people who are willing to learn, work hard, and say yes to new experiences.“
“Through my role on the Board, I hope to help create more opportunities and platforms for others to thrive. Whether it’s supporting workforce development, mentoring future leaders, advocating for our industry, or helping people see hospitality as a meaningful and rewarding career, I want to contribute to building a stronger future for our sector.“
“I also believe some of our greatest opportunities come when we learn from one another. Hospitality is an industry built on people, relationships, and shared experiences. I look forward to bringing my perspective while learning from fellow Board members and industry leaders across British Columbia.“
“At its heart, hospitality is about creating experiences that bring people together. I hope to contribute to an industry where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired because when our people thrive, our businesses, communities, and guests thrive as well.“
What advice would you give your younger self starting out in the industry?
“If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to treat every role and every opportunity as a master class.“
“Be curious. Ask questions. Learn as much as you can from the people around you. Some of the most valuable lessons in my career didn’t come from a classroom or a leadership course. They came from teammates, mentors, and the day-to-day experiences that challenged me to grow.“
“I would also remind myself not to be in such a hurry to get to the next role. Every position has something to teach you if you’re willing to listen and learn. The experiences that may seem small at the time often become the foundation for opportunities later in your career.“
“Most importantly, show up for your people. Early in my career, I thought leadership was something that came with a title. Over time, I learned that leadership is defined by actions, not position. It’s about supporting your team, building trust, lending a hand when needed, and creating an environment where people can succeed.“
“Hospitality is an incredible industry because it creates opportunities for people who are willing to learn, work hard, and invest in others. Looking back, I’m grateful for every role, every challenge, and every person who took the time to teach me something along the way. Those experiences shaped not only my career, but who I am as a person.“