Laura Lee Blake’s journey into leadership was shaped long before she entered the hospitality industry. Her story began with her grandfather, who arrived in the United States from Holland at just seventeen years old with almost nothing to his name. He carried only one suit during his journey, and by the time he arrived, even that had worn out.

Despite the hardships, he settled in Iowa and worked hard to build a better future. His determination and resilience became the foundation of the values that would later guide Laura Lee throughout her own career. We at CIO Global are proud to recognize Laura Lee Blake as one of The Most Acclaimed Leaders in Hospitality, 2026.

Growing up in Sioux Center, Iowa, Laura Lee was surrounded by the realities of small business ownership through her father’s Pontiac Buick dealership. From an early age, she learned the importance of hard work and responsibility. She spent her time mowing lawns, washing windows, and cleaning local farmers’ vehicles. These experiences taught her that every customer mattered and that success was never guaranteed. She also observed something deeper while watching her father run his business. Although he owned the dealership, he still faced limitations and outside pressures that affected his decisions. That understanding stayed with her and shaped the way she viewed leadership and advocacy.

Tech drives the industry, but the magic is still human connection.

Laura Lee first built her career in law, where she trained as a litigator handling complex disputes between companies. The work was demanding and high-pressure, requiring sharp thinking and strong communication skills. While the legal profession taught her discipline and strategy, she eventually realized she wanted more than simply arguing cases. She wanted to advocate for people and help create meaningful change. That desire ultimately led her toward the hospitality industry and her leadership role at AAHOA, where she now represents nearly 20,000 hotel owners across the United States.

One of the defining moments in Laura Lee’s journey happened during an automobile dealers’ convention when she sat beside her father and told him he deserved to be on stage speaking to others. His response stayed with her for years. He said no one would listen to a small dealer from Iowa. That moment revealed to her that many hardworking people often lack influence despite having valuable experiences and ideas. It inspired her to dedicate her career to representing voices that are too often overlooked.

Today, Laura Lee sees AAHOA as one of the strongest examples of the American dream. Many of its members are immigrant entrepreneurs who started with very little, purchased their first hotel properties, and gradually built successful businesses. Through determination, unity, and hard work, they transformed challenges into opportunities. Laura Lee takes pride in helping support and strengthen that community while ensuring their concerns are heard at every level.

Her leadership style is built on consistency, discipline, and accountability. She believes leadership is not about titles but about actions. Laura Lee does not ask her team to do anything she would not do herself. She believes people follow leaders who are dependable and willing to work alongside them. Under her leadership, AAHOA has continued to grow its influence and impact. Major events such as AAHOACON bring together thousands of attendees and hundreds of vendors, demonstrating the organization’s strong presence within the hospitality industry.

Leadership is stewardship, taking responsibility for something bigger than yourself.

Laura Lee also deeply values the sacrifices made by AAHOA’s officers and board members, many of whom manage successful hotel businesses while dedicating their time to supporting the organization. To her, leadership is about stewardship and responsibility. It means protecting and strengthening something larger than personal success.

For Laura Lee, hospitality is ultimately about people. While technology and business strategies are important, she believes human connection remains the true heart of the industry. Guests may remember the quality of a hotel, but they especially remember how they were treated. She believes kindness, respect, and professionalism leave lasting impressions long after a meeting or hotel stay ends.

The hospitality industry has changed significantly in recent years, and Laura Lee recognizes the increasing pressure hotel owners face every day. Rising operational costs, labor shortages, brand expectations, technology demands, and changing traveler behaviors have all added complexity to the business. She often says hospitality was always hard work, but today it has become hard work at high speed. Despite these challenges, she believes strong relationships and adaptability continue to separate successful leaders from the rest.

Technology also plays an important role in modern hospitality. Laura Lee views it as a powerful tool that helps hotel owners operate more efficiently and profitably. However, she strongly believes technology should support human interaction rather than replace it. In hospitality, genuine service and personal care still matter most.

Another important part of Laura Lee’s leadership is her focus on building strong teams. She believes people perform at their best when they feel respected, heard, and connected to a larger purpose. Creating an environment where employees feel valued has helped strengthen both morale and productivity within the organization.

Looking ahead, Laura Lee remains focused on expanding AAHOA’s influence and supporting hotel owners nationwide. One of her key priorities is advocating for greater access to capital and creating stronger opportunities for members to succeed. She is also passionate about supporting women in hospitality through initiatives such as HerOwnership, which encourages and empowers women entrepreneurs within the industry.

Laura Lee continues to lead with humility, purpose, and determination. Her message to the next generation of leaders is simple but powerful. She encourages young professionals to focus on excellence, stay committed to their skills, and never lose the qualities that make them unique. She believes true leadership is not measured by recognition, but by the willingness to sacrifice and work so that others can succeed.

True hospitality is remembered long after the trip has ended.