Graduate Hotels has just announced their new Chief Marketing Officer, and it seems they’ve hit the jackpot with their latest hire. Michaella Solar-March brings nearly two decades of experience in leading integrated marketing efforts for companies in the lifestyle, hospitality, and real estate industries. With her impressive track record for cultivating community gathering places rooted in culture and storytelling, she’s sure to bring the Graduate Hotels brand to new heights.
Kevin Osterhaus, Graduate Hotels President, had nothing but high praise for Solar-March, saying, “There is great alignment between the impactful global marketing campaigns she has successfully executed and the founding principles of the Graduate Hotels brand.” It’s clear that her previous experience with top companies like Soho House & Co., Tishman Speyer, and Sonos has prepared her well for this new role.
Solar-March has most recently served as a Managing Director at MA Financial in Sydney, Australia. As Chief Marketing Officer for MA Hotel Management, she oversaw all strategic brand marketing and creative for the firm’s $2 billion hospitality portfolio, including the Redcape Hotel Group portfolio, which owns and operates 35 community-focused venues. Prior to that, she held dual roles as Chief Marketing Officer for Tishman Speyer and Rockefeller Center in New York City, where she oversaw all brand marketing and introduced modern programming and strategic partnerships that transformed the Center into one of the most in-demand cultural venues in the city.
It’s no surprise that Solar-March has an eye for creating cultural experiences, given her previous role as Global Director of Members Events & Brand Programming for Soho House & Co. She led an international team across 10 countries to drive original brand programming and cultural content partnerships, cementing her reputation as a master of connecting commerce with culture.
As for Solar-March herself, she’s thrilled to be joining the Graduate Hotels team during such an exciting phase of growth. “Every Graduate Hotels property is designed to be a highly intentional and immersive experience inspired by local traditions and legends,” she said. “Connecting community, culture, and branded storytelling has always been central to my career, and no one does that with more authenticity than this beloved brand and talented and dynamic team.”
Aside from her impressive resume, Solar-March is also the co-founder of Other Company, a free and private platform for global executive female leaders for confidential connection and support. And let’s not forget her passion for music, which remains as strong as ever. With her move to Graduate’s headquarters in Nashville, she’ll have the opportunity to explore all that ‘Music City’ has to offer.
It seems Graduate Hotels has found the perfect person to drive their global marketing strategy forward. We can’t wait to see what kind of magic Solar-March will bring to the table.
