How a hotel manager worked her way to the top of the Grand Hyatt Atlanta

When Buckhead’s Hotel Nikko became the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in 1997, Kristi Cotten-Morris’ hospitality career was just getting started.

Now, as general manager of the luxury hotel , she oversees 145 employees and nearly 440 rooms. After 30 years in the industry, managing through roles at 12 Hyatt properties, multiple renovation projects and a pandemic, she has learned the value of listening. She also prizes diversity, collaboration and challenging yourself to grow.

“The role of a general manager, it’s ever evolving” she said. “You’re really balancing the needs of the business, the needs of the colleagues, the needs of the stakeholders, the ownership groups, the guests, so it’s kind of all encompassing.”

Her interest in hospitality began as a child traveling for gymnastics competition