Alexandra D'Onofrio

At Wagen, we are proud to support those who welcome every guest and transform the stay of every traveller. Through our Icons of Hospitality series, we celebrate the people behind the scenes who shape unforgettable guest experiences through dedication, leadership and genuine care.

This January 2026, we celebrate Alexandra D'Onofrio, a hospitality professional whose extraordinary 42-year career with Hilton has spanned Venezuela, the United States, and across the Caribbean and Latin America. Alexandra is one of the earliest ambassadors of our Icons of Hospitality program, helping to expand its vision and reach.

Alexandra's journey began at the 1,000-room Hilton Caracas — then Latin America's largest convention hotel — where at just 21 years old she took on the role of Assistant Housekeeper, managing over 380 staff across housekeeping and laundry with 14 supervisors, all older and more experienced than her. This foundational experience taught her that leadership is not about position, but about presence — supporting teams, leading by example, and building trust.

From there, her career evolved through new hotel openings including the Hilton Margarita (600+ rooms), then into Purchasing as the first Regional Purchasing Director for 5 Venezuelan hotels, followed by Project Management overseeing hotel openings and renovations across Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia. She later became Training Manager for 8-9 CALA hotels, creating leadership programs still in use today, before being promoted to Regional HR Director overseeing 22+ hotels.

Alexandra advocates for what she calls the "human economy" in hospitality — where technology enables deeper personal connection, not distance. "As digital interaction saturates our world, the human need for community and face-to-face contact will drive demand for authentic experiences," she says.

Her advice: "Be open to all opportunities, say yes to risks, and prioritise supporting your team with the resources they need. Leadership is about being a tool to support people, so that their work and their lives are happier."

We are honoured to celebrate Alexandra's remarkable journey and her contribution to the hospitality industry across four decades and multiple continents.