The Breakers' first female president relishes role as hospitality industry mentor

Tricia Taylor's promotion to president of The Breakers Palm Beach marked a historic moment for the iconic resort founded by Henry Flagler.

The Jupiter resident, long a standout among her peers, this summer became the first woman to attain that position at the 127-year-old resort.

"It's pleasantly surprising to have a female president in the hospitality industry," Taylor told the Daily News. "Unfortunately, senior roles continue to be male-dominated. I don't think that comes as a surprise to anyone. The industry is attuned to that, and they're diligently working on making inroads in the area with diversity. Still, unfortunately today, it remains male-dominated."

Related: Modifications approved for two ballrooms at The Breakers in Palm Beach

During her 27-year career at the resort, Taylor has served in various roles including general manager, senior vice president, and executive vice president. As with the role of president, she was the first female to hold all three positions.

"Thankfully, I've had some experience being the first female so far in senior positions throughout my career," she said. "I was the first female and the youngest executive way back when I was 28 years old to be appointed to our executive team."

Taylor never set out to be a role model within the hospitality industry, but she "happily" accepts the part if it helps others build their hospitality careers.

"I'd like to be a female role model for both genders and show people that you can work your way up in the industry," she said.

She also hopes to be a role model to her two teenaged daughters, one of whom just started college.

"I hope my advancement to president at The Breakers inspires them, whether it's today or just down the road," she said. "They can do anything they set their mind and heart to, and hopefully they'll look back and think their mom was a good example of that."

Taylor's interest in a hospitality career began as a teenager.

A native of Bellevue, Wash., she worked at two motels that were owned and operated by her grandparents. She also worked as a cashier and baker at a local mall bakery.

"I literally and figuratively grew up in the hospitality industry," Taylor said.

Later, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration before beginning her hospitality career at the renowned Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

A move to South Florida followed after she was recruited to The Breakers in 1996 by now-Chairman Garrett Kirk, who first met Taylor when she was a college student.

"The Breakers is what brought me to Florida, and The Breakers is what keeps me in Florida," she said. "It was really because of Garrett Kirk and that opportunity. I wouldn't have imagined that I'd be here 27 years later."

As president of The Breakers Palm Beach, Taylor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of resort operations at the 140-acre property and its off-site businesses.

Additionally, she chairs The Breakers' Executive Group, serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Resort Committee, is an advisory board member for the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and serves as a coach for Cornell University's Leadership Development Program.

"As an advocate of hospitality education, I serve in multiple roles to support industry enrichment and development," she said.

Taylor sees talent development as one of her most important roles at The Breakers, and she spends much of her time helping to develop the next generation of leaders there.

"I'm very focused on identifying and developing young talent today and over the next few years, not only to continue assisting in our success and supporting me with my other efforts, but to make sure that some day, when I do approach retirement, that I'll leave the Kenan family with a highly capable team to partner with and know that I left everything in the most capable hands," she said, referring to the resort's owners.

The Breakers, at 1 S. County Road, has 534 guest rooms and suites as well as a private beach club with four pools, six whirlpool spas, 25 poolside bungalows and a variety of on-site watersports.

The property also features two championship golf courses, one of which is 10 miles west of Palm Beach; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; an award-winning spa; an indoor-outdoor fitness center; 13 boutiques; and a family entertainment center with children’s programs.

The resort marked its 125th anniversary in 2021. Today, it remains one of just 1,000 family-owned businesses in the United States that is more than 100 years old and still under its original ownership

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Breakers' new president 'happily' accepts role as hospitality mentor