Hospitality People Group is proud to introduce Mara Cattaneo, a vibrant and thoughtful member of our team. With a career shaped by curiosity, cultural exploration, and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact, Mara brings both warmth and wisdom to her role in hospitality recruitment. Her journey from a small Italian town to one of the world’s most dynamic cities is a story of transformation, resilience, and finding purpose.
This article is inspired by Mara’s recent appearance on the Inspiring Women in Hospitality podcast, where she sat down with Naureen Ahmed to share her story. In a heartfelt conversation, Mara reflected on her personal and professional path, what drew her into the industry, and how she found her place with Hospitality People Group.
From Linguistics to Hospitality
Mara’s story begins in Italy, where she studied foreign languages, majoring in English and Russian, a nod to her innate fascination with communication and culture. “I spent time in St Petersburg,” she recalls, “which was amazing—a beautiful city. If you ever get the chance, go visit.” It was during her university years, through a required internship, that she unexpectedly discovered the world of hospitality.
Instead of settling for a mundane placement, Mara chose a four-star hotel in her grandmother’s seaside town. Fluent in multiple languages, she took a role as a receptionist where her linguistic talents could shine. “I didn’t put much thought into it,” she admits, “I just wanted to use my languages and spend the summer somewhere nice. But I ended up loving it.” That summer would become a defining moment, sparking a passion for hospitality that would guide her career in the years to follow.
The Dorchester Collection and Finding Her Feet
After graduating, Mara pursued a spontaneous opportunity at the famed Principe di Savoia in Milan, part of the Dorchester Collection. Within hours of sending her CV, she was invited for an interview. That chance encounter became a pivotal step in her career, offering her a front-row seat to one of the most respected luxury hotel environments in Italy. Under the mentorship of a revered general manager, Mara gained invaluable insights into what excellence in hospitality truly meant.
Her journey then took her to London, where she secured a receptionist role at The Dorchester. While exciting, the move came with unexpected challenges. “The cultural shock was real,” she confesses. “I went from big, communal Italian lunches to seeing colleagues sitting silently with headphones in the staff canteen. It felt very isolating at first.”
Yet, Mara adapted. She embraced the subtle nuances of British culture, refined her professional approach, and earned a promotion to Reception Supervisor—just a month before the pandemic hit. Dorchester Collection’s support during COVID-19 proved exceptional, and Mara spent those months reflecting on her future.
Rethinking the Path
Like many during the pandemic, Mara took the opportunity to re-evaluate. She began asking herself the big questions: Was she climbing the hospitality ladder because she loved it, or simply because it was expected? “I loved luxury hospitality,” she says. “But the role itself—front desk operations—started to feel less natural to me. I wanted to connect with people on a deeper level.”
What followed was a period of introspection and patient searching. “I knew I didn’t want to start from scratch, and I didn’t want to step back. So I waited for the right opportunity.” That opportunity came in the form of Hospitality People Group. Mara found the blend of recruitment and hospitality not only exciting but personally fulfilling.
A Perfect Fit
From the moment she walked into the Hospitality People Group office in 2021, Mara knew she had found the right place. “It felt natural,” she recalls. “I sat at my desk, answered the phone, and it all just clicked.” Transitioning from a team of hundreds to a tight-knit group of seven might have seemed daunting, but it proved to be just what she needed. “It’s a bit like falling in love,” she laughs. “You just know when it’s right.”
What Mara discovered was that none of her past experiences were wasted. “Every skill I learned in operations—people skills, phone etiquette, attention to detail—they all serve me now. I didn’t leave that behind. I brought it with me.”
Purpose, People, and Making an Impact
More than anything, Mara was driven by a yearning to make a real impact. Surrounded by friends in science and academia, she often questioned her own contribution. “They were curing cancer and tackling depression. I was doing check-ins and fluffing pillows. I just didn’t feel essential.”
Now, in her role at Hospitality People Group, she feels the stars have aligned. Helping candidates find their place, guiding careers, and working closely with the industry’s top talent—this, she says, is where she sees her impact. “I’m not just filling roles. I’m shaping journeys. I’m part of something that matters.”
Inspiration from All Around
Asked who inspires her, Mara offers no single name, but instead paints a tapestry of influences. From her fearless grandmother who opened a hotel in the 1960s, to her English teacher who inspired passion in unlikely places, to colleagues like Andrea at Hospitality People Group who embody resilience, Mara takes inspiration in pieces, not personas.
Even a quote from JK Rowling, who once inspired her through fiction, continues to resonate:
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.”
This sentiment underpins Mara’s journey—a life of brave choices, thoughtful pivots, and an unwavering belief in personal growth.
Looking Ahead
Mara Cattaneo is more than her job title. She’s a storyteller, a connector, and a catalyst for positive change in the hospitality world. With her language skills, cultural awareness and a heartfelt approach to recruitment, she brings immense value to the Hospitality People Group team.
Whether you meet her during a call, at an event, or through one of the many professionals she’s helped place, one thing is certain, Mara’s journey is far from boring. And we’re thrilled she’s chosen to write her next chapter with us.
