23: What does it take to build some of the most talked-about hotels in the world — and do it while proudly representing the LGBTQ+ community at the top levels of corporate leadership? Blake Danner, COO of aka Hotels and Hotel Residences, joins us to share his journey from nightclub-loving hotel rookie to the executive suite, shaping brands like NoMad, The Line, and Freehand along the way.
Blake opens up about the risks that shaped his career, the power of mentorship, and what it means to lead authentically — even in industries not always known for diversity. Whether you’re chasing a career in hospitality or just love bold leadership stories, this episode is packed with real talk and hard-earned advice.
Topics Discussed:
Breaking into hospitality
Lessons from building iconic hotel brands
Being out in corporate America
Mentorship & diversity in leadership
Leading teams through crisis
Career advice for young professionals
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:36 - Who the Hell Are You?
00:05:57 - Why Work in Hotels?
00:08:31 - Blake’s First Job
00:11:33 - Risk-Taking & Delano Hotels
00:13:56 - Dallas vs. New York Nightlife in the 90s
00:15:59 - Coming Out in Corporate America
00:19:59 - Max & Blake’s Friendship
00:22:30 - Leading People in the Corporate World
00:25:06 - Being a Visible Queer Leader
00:29:58 - Advice for Young Professionals
00:33:37 - Biggest Mistakes in Corporate America
00:35:27 - Managing Hotels Through COVID
00:38:24 - Keeping Employees Happy and Motivated
00:40:15 - Why Blake Joined AKA Hotels
00:43:42 - Mentoring & Fostering Growth in Others
00:45:36 - Fight Me! New York vs LA
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