Climbing the M&R Career Ladder
It has long been M&R’s policy to promote qualified associates from within the company’s ranks as a way of benefitting from their knowledge and experience while enabling them to continue building careers in hospitality. Ninfa Lemache-Lopes is a perfect recent example.
Soon to celebrate her 10th anniversary with M&R, Ninfa recently was promoted from regional controller to director of hotel accounting, based in the company’s headquarters in Great Neck, New York. In her new role, she oversees eight regional controllers, some based in Great Neck, others in the Manhattan office and one at the Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson in Westchester County, New York.
One of the challenges of managing hotels in a franchised environment is that each franchisor has its own accounting system, including Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Worldwide, Choice Hotels International and Hilton Worldwide.
“I was part of the team charged with making sure the different systems were coordinated so we could efficiently access the information we needed,” said Ninfa. “Coming out of the pandemic as the industry gradually returns to normal, it’s been more important than ever that the monthly data be accurate and complete.”
She is especially well suited to her work, considering that she also has hotel operating experience. A 20-year hospitality industry veteran, she spent four years before joining M&R earlier in her career as a general manager. “It gave me an understanding of just how many hats our general managers and other team members wear every day,” she said.
