With a career that began not by design but by discovery, Milet has transformed what started as a practical shift in direction into a lifelong vocation. From her first role in HR in San Francisco to her leadership within some of the world’s most iconic hotel groups, including The Ritz-Carlton and now Dorchester
Collection, she has consistently elevated the role of Human Resources into a true culture-driving force.
What sets Milet apart is not only her deep-rooted passion for service and her dedication to excellence, but also her innate ability to bring out the best in others. Her approach to People & Culture blends emotional intelligence with high standards, mentorship with strategy, and authenticity with vision.
In this interview, Milet reflects on the serendipity that led her to HR, the essential values that guide her leadership, and the cultural impact she strives to create across the Dorchester Collection. Her words offer an inspiring perspective on how luxury can be lived genuinely, purposefully, and with heart.
Every great journey starts somewhere… Could you tell us about the very beginning of your professional path? What inspired you to pursue a career in Human Resources and what drew you to the world of luxury hospitality in particular?
I came into HR by accident. After I married in New York, we moved west to San Francisco and priorities had changed from an operations career to something more predictable. The Regional VP of HR asked if I would move to HR as Coordinator. I found my sense of belonging and purpose there. I loved to welcome and help employees. I loved learning a whole new world, found it challenging but more importantly it was highly inspirational and satisfying to nurture hearts and minds.
Luxury hospitality was also a discovery. It was not something I sought but fate led me to my first hotel job at The Ritz-Carlton. It was a brand that recognized service is an honorable profession and treating guests and each other with respect is a must. Once I discovered what luxury meant, and it has evolved, the personalized, bespoke, uncompromising, anticipatory delivery of excellence - there was no going back. I appreciated that it takes innate and genuine passion and this is something that is so precious. A continuous goal to achieve that each moment, every single time. You either love it and if you don’t, people know it’s not real.
For many, stepping into such a demanding world can be daunting. How did you manage to find your place early on, and earn the trust of your teams in such high-standard environments?
Learn as much as you can, teach and develop others, trust until you are given a reason not to trust. Be accessible and available especially during tough times, be it work or personal. Foster a respectful and thriving environment. Appreciate and recognize good work and help others through their areas of improvement. Make it fun and have levity. Never stop being curious. Stay connected and value your relationships you have built with people.
You have built an impressive career in Human Resources, holding leadership positions within several prestigious hospitality groups. In your opinion, what have been the key drivers of your progression? A way of being ? A commitment ? A decisive encounter ?
A true passion for service and excellence. It keeps you motivated and agile. Do the work and let that speak for yourself – do not engage in politics. In People & Culture, integrity and character is paramount, one needs to be always mindful that it is the entire team who makes it happen. The reward is being a small part of others’ development and achievements.
For the past three years, you have been serving as Vice President People & Culture at Dorchester Collection, an iconic name in luxury hospitality. Looking back, what human or cultural impact are you most proud of in your current role?
I have been fortunate that Dorchester Collection’s culture is so strong and authentically people centric. Sustaining employee engagement and loyalty at the highest levels and strengthening the development and progression opportunities for our employees. Continue to build on our commitment to diversity, inclusion within our communities and environment.
At Dorchester Collection, excellence is not only a guest promise; it’s also a commitment to the people behind the scenes. In your view, how can HR bring to life the values of precision, emotional connection, and attention to detail on a daily basis?
Dorchester Collection’s We Care philosophy alongside our values of Personality, Passion, Respect, Working Together and Creativity sits at the center of everything that we do. It is the foundation for setting our employees up for success. Our onboarding and subsequent trainings enable our employees to understand how to become a brand ambassador, deliver the ultimate guest experience, master their craft and become an inspirational leader if that is their aspiration. We create an environment where there is positive engagement which allows our employees to thrive and feel empowered.
What core skills, mindsets, or values do you believe are essential for professionals in People & Culture today, especially within the luxury sector? And as a leader, how do you ensure you embody and pass on these values to your teams?
People and culture are at the core of our industry and indeed our company. People are crucial to the success of business and have the power to move and achieve goals. Our people create the culture of service and excellence - ensuring memorable experiences that our guests and employees remember long past the amazing product, programme and or facilities.
In this dynamic industry, being agile and staying relevant are two valuable qualities. Be open to ideas while staying true to your organisation’s brand promise and vision. Lead, inspire, role model and do has been my mantra as a mentor to my teams.
And to end on a personal note… If you were:
- An emotion: Calm but full of underlying energy
- A piece of music: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- A book: The Little Prince
- A scent: Sampaguita (Arabian Jasmine)
