PERSONALITIES
WELL-BEING ,
INSIDE OUT
INDUSTRY VET KYRICOS HEADS UP HYATT ’ S WELLNESS INITIATIVE — AND IT ’ S NOT JUST FOR THE GUESTS .
By BARBARA BOHN , MANAGING EDITOR
Mia Kyricos ’ book of business has two chapters : Not only is the senior vice president and global head of well-being leading Hyatt Hotels ’ wellness initiatives , she is shepherding wellness strategies for the company ’ s 110,000 employees around the world .
“ It ’ s the first position I ’ m aware of , having worked across hospitality as well as spending time in the workplace wellness world , that I ’ ve seen a company of any kind put a senior leader in charge of both ,” says Kyricos , who joined the company in August . “ It ’ s ultimately what attracted me to Hyatt . They ’ re thinking about wellness and well-being quite differently , and it was something I wanted to be a part of .”
Kyricos joined Hyatt after heading a boutique consulting firm and stints at Spafinder Wellness , Exos and Starwood Hotels & Resorts . While it might be a challenge to balance dual roles – partnered with the chief human resources officer and commercial services teams – she points to the synergy .
“ They are also wanting to make sure that what we offer in the marketplace can somehow be offered to our colleagues as well so we ’ re not just … taking care of others , we ’ re also taking care of ourselves .” That may include a technology platform or immersion programs for employees at more than 700 properties in over 50 countries .
“ Everything is on the table right now ,” Kyricos says , “ as well as how we tie in our Miraval and Exhale brands on the commercial side of the equation .”
Miraval , which has several U . S . -based spas , was purchased by Hyatt in early 2017 for US $ 215 million ; later that year , it purchased Exhale , a U . S . spa and fitness boutique with about 25 locations , for an undisclosed amount . Are they the future of wellness at Hyatt ?
“ They ’ re part of the story , but I would not say that they ’ re the entire story ,” Kyricos says . “ There could be more ( wellness-related brands ) over time .” The expertise will be leveraged to build other products or services that might not carry those brand names , she says .
Wellness , as Hyatt and Kyricos are defining it , is the road , and well-being is the outcome : “ Very simply , we want to positively impact how you feel , fuel or function every day , and that applies to our customers and guests but also to our colleagues ,” she says . “ And so we have this
20 hotelsmag . com January / February 2019