In this episode, I sit down with Gabriella, a dynamic leader who’s been on a journey of transformation in both her personal and professional life. We dive into the lessons she’s learned along the way about vulnerability, leadership, and rediscovering herself after becoming a mother. This episode is all about embracing imperfections and understanding that true leadership is not about presenting a polished version of yourself but being authentic and real.
As Vice President of Hotel and Retail Operations at The Village Dallas, Gabriella Monte leads with vision, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With more than 15 years of experience across hospitality, real estate, and technology, Gabriella has established herself as a trailblazer in operational leadership. She has held pivotal roles with Kimpton Hotels and Resorts, Oracle, and Sentral, where she implemented high-impact strategies, introduced innovative technologies, and expanded market reach for leading brands.
In addition to her corporate roles, Gabriella has consulted for early-stage startups, specializing in building operational procedures and scalable customer service platform infrastructure. Her guidance has helped emerging companies create meaningful, efficient guest and client experiences from the ground up.
At The Drey Hotel, Gabriella has elevated the guest experience and operational performance through thoughtful strategy, personalized service, and a strong focus on brand integrity. She launched Drey Rewards, the hotel’s signature loyalty program, and has been instrumental in shaping a culture of hospitality that prioritizes both guest satisfaction and strong financial performance.
A passionate advocate for sustainability, Gabriella has led initiatives to support longleaf pine reforestation in Texas. At The Village Dallas, she has revitalized the retail district, achieving full occupancy across showroom spaces and transforming the area into a vibrant shopping destination. Her retail curation is intentional and empowering , every business she has brought on board is women-owned and operated, reflecting her deep commitment to championing female entrepreneurs.
Gabriella’s advocacy extends well beyond her professional role. She proudly serves on the Board of DIFFA Dallas and is an active supporter of Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, and Dress for Success. Gabriella is a beacon of modern leadership, showing how women can break barriers, lead with purpose, and drive lasting impact in both industry and community.
We start by discussing Gabriella’s journey of intentionality. Gabriella shares how, prior to becoming a mother, she had always lived a life where success and career advancement were her primary focus. She talks about the mindset shift that came with motherhood, realizing that the greatest value she carried was not in her ability to present perfectly but in her ability to present the person behind the success. This journey wasn’t easy, but it became something truly beautiful as she learned to put her authentic self first.
Gabriella opens up about the challenges she faced when trying to become a mother. She had a long, emotional journey with infertility that tested her ability to overcome challenges beyond her control. Gabriella reveals how this experience shifted her perspective on life and success. While she was used to achieving anything she set her mind to in her career, the struggle to have a child was something that was completely out of her control, making her question her identity in a way she had never experienced before.
As we talk about the complexities of balancing career and personal life, Gabriella explains how she was able to use hardship as motivation to keep going. Even when she faced emotional and physical challenges, her drive to succeed in her career and maintain strong relationships with her family pushed her forward. However, it wasn’t always easy, and there were times when she felt out of control, not knowing if everything she was doing was worth it.
The journey through infertility and becoming a mother prompted Gabriella to rediscover who she truly was outside of her professional success. She explains how redefining herself wasn’t just about overcoming adversity but also about surrendering to the process and being vulnerable. For the first time, Gabriella allowed herself to acknowledge the struggles, and in doing so, she found a new sense of authenticity that helped her grow as both a person and a leader.
Gabriella shares an important lesson in vulnerability: it’s not just about being vulnerable with others, but also with yourself. She talks about how being open about her struggles, both personal and professional, has made her a stronger leader. She reflects on how many leaders, especially women, have often been conditioned to hide their vulnerabilities, but she now understands the power that comes with showing up authentically, even when things aren’t perfect.
A major theme of this episode is the relationship between leadership and empathy. Gabriella talks about how being an empathetic leader doesn’t make you weak; in fact, it can make you stronger. She emphasizes that showing empathy and understanding in leadership, especially during times of hardship, helps build deeper connections with your team and creates a more sustainable work environment. Leadership is not just about making decisions; it’s about showing your humanity and being willing to support others through their challenges.
As we wrap up the conversation, Gabriella shares some final thoughts on how leaders can balance their personal and professional lives, as well as how embracing vulnerability can lead to stronger, more authentic connections with those around them. She encourages leaders to keep striving for authenticity and to remember that imperfections and challenges are not weaknesses, but rather growth opportunities.
00:00 Introduction: Embracing Imperfection
00:46 Gabriella's Intentional Journey
02:39 The Challenges of Motherhood
04:32 Balancing Career and Personal Life
06:06 Rediscovering Identity
07:49 The Power of Vulnerability
08:51 Leadership and Empathy
19:19 Conclusion and Next Steps
