Pyramid Global Hospitality

Claire Wallace (Lieberman)

Portfolio Growth Shaper

Thoughtful Growth Through Strategic Fit

At Pyramid, we are concentrated on thoughtful growth.

We pursue opportunities where we know we can make a real impact and be the right partner to create lasting value. I always begin by asking: Is this the right partnership? Is this a market and property where we can truly thrive? Does this align with our broader vision for growth? Our focus is especially sharp when it comes to luxury and lifestyle properties, with a commitment to growing our scale in markets where we already have a meaningful presence or see strategic potential. Not every opportunity is the right fit, so we dig deep into property specifics and market fundamentals to ensure every decision is a smart one.

Knowing When to Say No

I always thought saying “yes” was the key to growth. Now, I know that the right kind of growth comes from having the confidence to say “no” when it isn’t the right fit.

That does not mean sacrificing creativity or flexibility, but it does mean having the disciplined conviction to focus on where you can win - and the courage to walk away when you see red flags. I have found that transparency, communication and consistency are all essential for building and maintaining trust. This is especially important when navigating change, which seems to be the only constant of our industry. Growth, like the incredible scale we are seeing at Pyramid, brings complexity - across locations, brands and business plans - and managing that successfully means trusting the team and being willing to delegate, while keeping a steady hand on the strategic direction. As our organization grows, my focus has remained on creating alignment, empowering our people and fostering accountability so that we can execute against (and exceed) expectations.

Find Revenue Beyond Rooms

Across the industry, we are seeing a slowing rate of growth against ever-rising operating costs. With that, our focus is no longer primarily on driving ADR but on driving total RevPAR - and with that, NOI. We are always looking for creative (and cost-efficient) ways to maximize total spend from our most valuable guests and to keep them coming back.

Today’s travelers are intentional, seeking experiences that are authentic, memorable and worth paying for. This all pushes us deeper into lifestyle, luxury and independent hotels that tell a story, so we can curate experiences that hit the right emotional notes.

That is where I think our properties and teams at Pyramid truly shine. Construction costs are still high, so bringing this creativity is key. We’re always brainstorming how to enhance guest experiences and drive incremental spend without assuming every improvement needs a big capital outlay.

That’s a huge part of why we love operating highly complex resorts with multiple revenue streams—golf courses, marinas, wellness offerings, HOAs, membership clubs and more—because there are so many ways to engage guests beyond just the room.

Alignment Matters More Than Control

Early in my career, I was all about quantity growth but experience has now taught me that quality and alignment matter so much more. Deals are a team sport, and it’s crucial to bring in perspectives from operators, capital partners, brands and our other stakeholders. Not every initiative will go exactly as planned, but starting with alignment gives everyone the best shot at success. I have also learned how important perspective is in both leadership and strategy. I used to try to control every outcome, but that’s simply not possible.

Over time, I realized that progress comes from adaptability and resilience, not perfection.

Wisdom From Experience

Build both breadth and depth in your knowledge base. Hospitality sits at the intersection of real estate, finance and operations, so the more perspective you gain, the stronger you’ll become. I would also say to stay curious - take every chance to understand how deals are structured, why assets perform as they do and how every decision shapes both the business and the guest experience.

It’s never too early to start building your network. Relationships are everything in this industry, and building trust with peers as much as leaders will open doors to opportunities you might never expect.