Joie de Vivre Promotes Ingrid Summerfield to President, Reporting to Founder Chip Conley

San Francisco, Joie de Vivre, California’s largest boutique hotel collection, has promoted Ingrid Summerfield to president. Summerfield reports directly to Joie de Vivre Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chip Conley.

As president, Summerfield will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the company, which manages hotels, restaurants, spas and luxury residences in California. She will oversee the company’s operations, food & beverage, people services, sales and marketing, revenue management, spa, and information technology departments. Summerfield previously held the position of chief operating officer, which she will continue to retain, and executive vice president.

“Ingrid embodies the values of entrepreneurialism and expertise in working with customers, employees and investors that have made Joie de Vivre what it is today. It gives me great pleasure after 14 years of working with her to elevate her to president. In her new role she will ensure all departments and functions are working cohesively and in a manner that is deeply effective and remains customer-focused,” Conley said.

Summerfield’s appointment will allow Conley, who had been acting as interim president, to further focus on Joie de Vivre’s California growth strategy and new developments and continue his innovative work in the hospitality industry.

Summerfield has more then 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. During her 14 years with Joie de Vivre, she has been general manager of two Joie de Vivre hotels; had oversight of the company’s Union Square properties as managing director; and directed the operations and repositioning of new hotels projects in California as senior vice president. Under her direct supervision, Joie de Vivre successfully launched more than eight hotels throughout the state, including its first in southern California – the Hotel Angeleno.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to take on this new role,” said Summerfield. “Joie de Vivre is a highly creative and dynamic company. It continues to grow its market share, and we’re opening or re-launching more than nine hotels and restaurants over the next nine months, including several in southern California, our major focus area of growth.”

Summerfield is a graduate of Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne and also received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from San Francisco State University. Born in Germany, she is fluent in three languages. She has lived in California for over 25 years and is involved with many hospitality, community and philanthropic organizations.