Meet our Staff

Meet our Executive Team

Meet our Sales Team

Meet our Event & Meeting Services Team

Meet our Catering Team

Meet our Food and Beverage Team

Meet our Marketing Team

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Russell Menkes, General Manager

Russell Menkes began his career as a chef de cuisine in Puerto Rico and moved on to various senior property-management positions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, New York City, Hong Kong, China and Mexico. He joined Hilton Worldwide in 1999 as general manager of the 444-room Hilton Times Square in New York. In 2006, Russell was promoted to general manager of the four-diamond Conrad Chicago hotel.

Russell earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and an associate’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America, where he received the school’s Waldorf Astoria award for outstanding student.

Russell brings a solid résumé to The Drake. He has invaluable experience and the leadership skills that will help keep The Drake one of country’s premier historic hotels.

Stefan Gruvberger, Hotel Manager

Stefan Gruvberger joined The Drake as Hotel Manager in August 2010. Possessing an extensive background in hospitality and capability to execute a smooth hotel operation, Gruvberger is the perfect fit for Chicago's most recognized hotel.

Stefan earned his Bachelors Degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachuestts, Amherst in 1994. Soon after, he made his first move into hotel management. For years, Stefan played an integral part in the hotel operations of Hilton Hotel's Flagship, the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York City, where he managed Food and Beverage operations and eventually became Assistant Director of Revenue. In his time there, Stefan contributed to the execution of a three million dollar re-design and re-conceptiong of Oscar's, the famous hotel's stylish brasserie.

For the past four years, Stefan has been based in San Francisco, where he served as the Director of Food and Beverage for the largest hotel on the west coast- the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

With fifteen years of extensive and diverse hotel management experience, international background, and formal Swiss and American hospitality education, Stefan is a welcomed addition to The Drake Hotel and the city of Chicago.

Kevin Boland, Director of Sales & Marketing

Originally from County Cork in Ireland, Kevin Boland lived in London for two years before finally coming to Chicago, where he has lived for the last twelve years. He has 18 years of hotel experience, and oversees all Catering, Event Services, Sales, Marketing and Revenue management operations for The Drake. Kevin served on the Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International (Chicago Chapter), as well as for HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty), a consortium of business, residential, religious, social service, institutional and volunteer leaders striving to underprivileged people in the Chicago area. Kevin is also an active and proud member of the Ireland Network Chicago.

Sarah Tromans, Director of Finance

Originally from Cornwall in England, Sarah holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Hotel and Catering Management from the University of Surrey and is also qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant.

Sarah joined the team at Drake in 2008. Looking after all aspects of the hotel finances, she has over 15 years experience in hotel accounting having held positions in such diverse locations as Germany, the Caribbean, UK and USA. Previous Director of Finance positions with Hilton include the Hilton Curacao and The Marquette Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition, she worked in various financial management positions at the Hilton London Metropole and Hilton London Paddington.

Ann O’Riordan, Director of Catering and Events

Ann O’Riordan is the epitome of a consummate catering professional. Her loyalty with Hilton spans her career, which includes assignments in catering, food and beverage, and hospitality. Before becoming the Director of Catering and Events at The Drake in 2008, Ann served as a Senior Catering Manager at the Hilton Chicago for almost ten years, where she planned and executed events up to 2000 guests and established relationships with meeting planners and vendors across the Chicagoland area. As Director of Catering and Events, Ann oversees a team of ten catering and events professionals, facilitates close to 100 weddings a year in the hotel’s multiple banquet spaces, and has been a vital element in making The Drake one of Chicago’s premier venues for the Kosher and Indian wedding markets. Ann has made Chicago her home for the past 17 years and in that time has become a wife and mother. She is truly grateful that her passion for what she does has allowed her to serve her guests in the true spirit of Irish hospitality and create memories for her clients that they will cherish for a lifetime!

Maria Garcia, Director of Human Resources

Maria Garcia has been with Hilton since 1992 and has served in director positions at both the Embassy Suites Lakefront and the Palmer House Hilton. She joined The Drake on New Years Eve 2007 as Director of Human Resources, where she is currently responsible for the day to day operations in training, recruitment and Diversity initiatives, among other facets of employee relations. In 2008 Garcia received her Masters in Human Resource Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management and is passionate about everything that Human Resources and Hilton represents. Maria serves as a great leader to, and resource for, The Drake Hotel’s past, present and future family.

Sales Team

Matthew Kaniff, Assistant Director of Sales

Phone:312.932.4300 Matthew Kaniff has eleven years of industry experience, nine of which were spent with Doubletree Hotels by Hilton and Embassy Suites. His career in hospitality began in operations. He moved into a sales role at an Embassy Suites Chicago-Schaumburg and quickly became the Director of Sales and Marketing. Matthew then joined Doubletree Hotels in the suburbs of Chicago where he developed long lasting relationships with many corporate customers. He belongs to the Chicago Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Matt oversees all the group and convention sales team for the Drake.

Margaret Heneghan, Marketing Manager

Phone: 312.932.4327

Email: margaret.heneghan@hilton.com

Before joining The Drake as Marketing Coordinator in 2009, Margaret was with the CBS & MyNetwork affiliated television stations WCIA/WCFN-TV in Champaign, Illinois as their Program Coordinator. A graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Margaret excelled in the areas of speech, organizational and external communication, as well as creative writing. Margaret has embraced her role as Marketing Manager as of 2011 and looks forward to creating awareness of the great city of Chicago and The Drake Hotel, Real Chicago.

Marc Maurer, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.932.4310
Marc Maurer brings over eight years of hotel experience to The Drake, most of which was spent in sunny Tampa, Florida. Marc graduated from Michigan Sate University where he earned a degree from The School of Hospitality Business. Upon graduating, Marc relocated from Michigan to Tampa, Florida, where he began his hospitality career. Wanting to be back in the Midwest and share in the energy of Chicago, his favorite city, Marc was honored to be a brought on as a team member of The Drake in June 2008. Marc belongs to the Chicago Chapter of Meeting Professionals International where he is one of the committee members. He is also active in the Michigan State Alumni Club of Chicago.

Andrea Mott, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.932.4331
Andrea handles all Midwest Associations, law firms / legal, as well as all Conference Direct business. Andrea comes to The Drake with several years of sales experience from Michigan and most recently Hilton Suites Chicago Magnificent Mile. Andrea is very active in MPI-CAC Chicago. Andrea attended Michigan State University and received a degree in Hospitality Business. Along with her educational experience, Andrea also completed two internships in Maui, Hawaii at a large resort.

Scott Stern, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312-932-4324

Scott Stern brings over 20 years of well rounded hospitality experience to the Drake, all spent in the Chicagoland area. Scott began his career at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in front and back of house operations and served as General Manager for the Kinzie Street Chophouse and opened the Bar Louie next to Wrigley Field. Scott attended Southern Illinois University where he earned a bachelors degree in hospitality management. Scott's focus at The Drake is on the pharmaceutical market as well as West Coast Corporate and Association.

Rose Stewart, Sales Manager

Phone: 312-932-4303
Rose joined The Drake Family in June of 2000. In that time, she has worked in many capacities in the Sales & Events Department, specializing in wedding room blocks and small meetings. No matter if your event is next week or next year, Rose is your go to contact for any and all small meeting needs. She is detail-oriented, knowledgeable, and will work with you to make sure your event is as you had envisioned.

Haley Eder, Senior Sales Coordinator

Phone: 312-932-4309 Haley Eder brings several years of hospitality experience to The Drake. Haley graduated from Michigan State University where she earned a degree from The School of Hospitality Business. Upon graduating, Haley relocated from Michigan to Chicago where she began her hospitality career. Haley was honored to become a part of The Drake Hotel family in March 2011 as a Sales Coordinator. She excelled in this position and demonstrated her passion for the hospitality industry and her dedication to guest satisfaction. Haley was soon after promoted to Senior Sales Coordinator, and now specializes in selling smaller room blocks and meetings.

Event and Meeting Service Team

Kelli Giglio, Assistant Director of Events

Phone: 312.932.4308

Kelli began her career in hospitality with Wyndham Hotels in 2004 when she was hired as a Catering Sales Manager. She was hired at The Drake in 2005 as an Event Manager and was later promoted to Senior Event Manager where, for two years, she serviced events for groups visiting The Drake. During her time at The Drake, Kelli distinguished herself among her peers and was awarded the Hilton Circle of Excellence commendation for her achievements. Kelli then headed to California in late 2008 to open the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and excelled as a Senior Event Manager handling some of the most complex programs. In August 2010, Kelli returned home to Chicago, and The Drake, as the Assistant Director of Events.

Eric Nylen, Senior Event Manager

Phone: 312-932-4349
Chicago-area native, Eric Nylen began his journey to The Drake Hotel as a Communications major at Illinois State University. Soon thereafter, he discovered his vocation at the Hilton Chicago in 2002. Starting as a Group Housing Coordinator, Eric displayed a steadfast commitment to exceptional service and an unparalleled understanding of the myriad facets of event production and execution that allowed him to ascend to the rank of Senior Events Manager, which he held for three years before accepting his current position at the Drake. Eric’s passion for Chicago and his respect for the iconic status the Drake maintains in the city’s identity make him an integral member of the hotel team. “No view of the Chicago skyline would be complete without the elegant and stately visage of the Drake Hotel. . "I am both excited and humbled to be representing such an iconic hotel," he remarks.

Amelia DiGregorio, Senior Event Manager

Phone: 312-932-4332

Amelia DiGregorio grew up on the East Coast, went to college on the West Coast, before ultimately settling in the Midwest. Hailing from Long Island New York, DiGregorio decided to make the move to Portland, Oregon to attend Portland State University where she earned her Bachelors Degree. While in Portland, Amelia worked for a small event planning business and eventually moved to Chicago where she was hired to work at the Hilton Chicago as an Assistant to the Director of Events and Event Services Floor Manager. From 2007 until 2010 DiGregorio managed groups at the Palmer House Hilton before she started as a Senior Event Manager here at The Drake in April, 2010.

Sara Wisnoski, Event Manager

Phone: 312.932.4525

Sara graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business, and also had the opportunity to study Event Management in Sydney, Australia at the International College of Management. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Sara returned home where she joined The Drake Hotel family as the Events Services Floor Manager. She excelled in this position and demonstrated her passion for the hospitality industry and her dedication to guest satisfaction. Sara was soon after promoted to Event Manager, and now specializes in servicing smaller groups and room blocks.