Noble’s Emily Feeney Named Among Hotel Management’s 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality

Noble’s Emily Feeney has been named among HOTEL MANAGEMENT Magazine ’s 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality. This recognition honors her growing leadership and expertise, which continue to make a lasting impact on Noble and the industry. In this exclusive Q&A, Emily shares insights from her journey.

Help us understand on what sets you apart from other women in the industry—what has been your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career?

I believe that everyone you meet has something to teach you if you are open to it. I love learning about different backgrounds and industry experiences, and brainstorming ways to potentially work together in the future.?One of my biggest accomplishments has been maintaining the friendships and relationships that I’ve formed since the beginning of my career and encouraging our next generation to invest the time and effort to build valuable relationships for themselves.

What was your first hospitality job? What sparked your interest in the industry?

I got my first job when I was fifteen working as a hostess at an Italian restaurant in my hometown.?I liked the culture of hospitality right off the bat—I looked forward to welcoming guests and helping them feel comfortable so they could enjoy their experience at our restaurant. I also learned very quickly that this industry requires more than a friendly face. I watched employees come and go quickly and realized if I wasn’t going to be a hard-working team player and quick on my feet, I had better get out of the way!

My interest in hospitality investing sparked after college when I moved to Charleston, S.C.? I used what little network I had to get a job as an executive assistant to a dynamic hotel developer. I worked with a very small team in a family office and was exposed to anything and everything our industry has to offer.?I met bankers, brokers, international heads of brands, and renowned architects that taught me how to read the plans they drew themselves. I worked on operations, historic renovations, and complex site planning. It was an invaluable experience.? At the time, I didn’t know where I could see myself or my career in hospitality going, but I knew I had stumbled across something special and that I needed to be a part of it.

What is the best part of your job?

The company I work for!?I’m proud to work for an organization that invests in the personal and professional growth of the team as a whole and as individuals. ?

Can you share insight about being a woman in the industry—what would you say have been some of your challenges and wins?

Being a female in a male dominated environment is not for the faint of heart and it will always have its challenges, but if you focus on that, that is all you will see.? Women are naturally intuitive, strong communicators, and creative thinkers, and all those traits are critical to negotiating and structuring complicated deals, managing multiple personalities on a team, maintaining a fast-paced work environment, the list goes on!? Something I struggle with, and I know other women do too, has been getting really comfortable owning my weaknesses and my wins. ?

What advice would you share with a woman new to the hospitality industry???

Stay focused on forward progress over perfection.?

Check out the full article here: https://www.hotelmanagement.net/operate/hotel-managements-2025-influential-women-hospitality.