Sage's Daniel del Olmo guides a people-first, experiential vision

The CEO and president of Sage Hospitality Group reflects on his new role and the company's future.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 12:00pm

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Daniel del Olmo, the CEO and president of Sage Hospitality Group, believes that hospitality is fundamentally about people and connection, not just metrics and operations. With a childhood shaped by cultural immersion and a career spanning three decades in the industry, del Olmo is guiding Sage towards a people-first, experiential vision for the future.

Why it matters

Del Olmo's leadership philosophy, which emphasizes culture, innovation, and original experiences, represents a shift in the hospitality industry away from a purely operational focus. His approach could inspire other hotel companies to prioritize their people and create more meaningful, immersive experiences for guests.

The details

Del Olmo joined Sage Hospitality in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the hotel industry. He quickly aligned with the company's purpose of "enriching lives, one experience at a time" and gradually took on more responsibilities, including overseeing operations, finance, development, commercial strategy, and Sage's in-house brand and experience agency. Del Olmo officially became CEO and president earlier this year, with a focus on fostering a strong culture, driving innovation, and creating original experiences for guests.

  • Del Olmo joined Sage Hospitality in January 2020.
  • Del Olmo officially became CEO and president earlier this year.

The players

Daniel del Olmo

The CEO and president of Sage Hospitality Group, who has a nearly three-decade global career in the hospitality industry.

Walter Isenberg

The former CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, who worked with del Olmo on the leadership transition.

Zack Neumeyer

The co-founder of Sage Hospitality Group.

Eric Danziger

The former CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, who mentored del Olmo on the value of diverse teams.

Brené Brown

The author and speaker who spoke at Sage's leadership festival, reframing del Olmo's understanding of culture.

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What they’re saying

“When I joined Sage in January 2020, Walter and I quickly determined that our values were completely aligned. The company's purpose—'enriching lives, one experience at a time'—was not just a corporate statement; it mirrored my own worldview.”

— Daniel del Olmo, CEO and President, Sage Hospitality Group

“The opposite of belonging is fitting in. Fitting in is forcing yourself to be something you're not. Belonging is when you show up as yourself, and the organization celebrates you. That's what allows our people to create real experiences—not pretend experiential hospitality that looks good on the surface.”

— Brené Brown

“Great talent attracts great talent. People and culture is Sage's number one strategic priority—and my personal passion.”

— Daniel del Olmo, CEO and President, Sage Hospitality Group

What’s next

Sage Hospitality Group is continuing to expand its luxury and upper-upscale portfolio, with a $7 billion development pipeline that includes the company's second Ritz-Carlton hotel. The company is also focused on strengthening its in-house branding and experience agency, Sage Studio, and its restaurant concepts, which are integral to its experiential hospitality vision.

The takeaway

Under Daniel del Olmo's leadership, Sage Hospitality is shifting the hospitality industry's focus away from purely operational metrics and towards a people-first, experiential approach. By prioritizing culture, innovation, and original guest experiences, del Olmo aims to position Sage as the industry's leading experience company.