The Future of Procurement Leadership: Why Context, Curiosity, and Kindness Matter In this episode of Meet in the Lobby, hosts Dorien Murphy and Melissa McCormack continue their conversation with Molly Preston, Senior Vice President of Procurement at Pyramid Global Hospitality. While the first discussion explored global growth and procurement strategy, this installment shifts focus to leadership, mentorship, emerging talent, and the evolving role of procurement in hospitality. Leadership Begins with Understanding Operations When asked about the leadership principles that have guided her career, Preston shared two philosophies that continue to serve as her professional north star. The first is a commitment to designing solutions with operators in mind. Having spent years working directly in hospitality operations, Preston believes any process or program must function in the realities of a busy hotel environment—not just look good on paper. "If it works in the boardroom but fails during the breakfast rush, it's broken," she explained. This operator-first mindset has shaped her approach to procurement leadership, ensuring that systems and initiatives are practical, accessible, and capable of supporting frontline teams during the most demanding moments of their day. Her second guiding principle is equally simple and impactful: lead with kindness. Preston emphasized the importance of approaching colleagues with curiosity rather than criticism, recognizing that everyone carries challenges and circumstances that may not be visible. By fostering empathy and understanding, leaders can build stronger relationships, create healthier workplace cultures, and ultimately drive better outcomes. Understanding the Next Generation of Hospitality Leader As hospitality welcomes new generations into the workforce, Preston sees significant opportunity in the fresh perspectives they bring. She describes today's emerging professionals as highly purpose-driven, technologically fluent, and unafraid to ask questions. Unlike previous generations that may have accepted established processes without challenge, younger professionals are eager to understand the "why" behind decisions. Rather than viewing this curiosity as disruptive, Preston sees it as one of the industry's greatest strengths. Their willingness to question assumptions creates opportunities for innovation and encourages organizations to continually evaluate whether long-standing practices still serve their intended purpose. At the same time, she believes organizations must adapt their leadership styles to meet evolving expectations around communication, development, and career growth. The question isn't whether younger professionals are committed, Preston noted—it's understanding what motivates them and how organizations can create environments where they feel connected to meaningful work. Closing the Context Gap One of the most insightful moments of the conversation centered on what Preston calls a growing "context gap." She argues that younger professionals are not lacking capability. Instead, many simply haven't experienced the economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and operational challenges that shaped previous generations of hospitality leaders. While experience develops over time, Preston believes leaders have a responsibility to accelerate that learning process by openly sharing knowledge and lessons learned. Rather than guarding information or expecting employees to learn everything through trial and error, organizations should actively invest in mentorship and knowledge transfer. By combining the experience of seasoned professionals with the technological fluency and fresh perspectives of emerging talent, hospitality organizations can create stronger, more resilient teams prepared to tackle future challenges. The Value of Mentorship and Internships Preston is also a strong advocate for internships and early-career development opportunities. Throughout her career, she has consistently worked with interns, valuing the fresh perspective they bring to projects and initiatives. Even individuals with limited hospitality experience can identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and ask questions that seasoned professionals may overlook. These experiences not only help develop future industry leaders but also provide organizations with valuable insights that can improve decision-making and innovation. For Preston, mentorship is not simply about teaching others—it is about creating an environment where learning flows in both directions. The Future Procurement Leader Looking ahead, Preston sees procurement leadership evolving far beyond traditional sourcing and contracting responsibilities. As hospitality organizations become increasingly global and data-driven, procurement leaders will be expected to operate as translators between corporate strategy and operational reality. Success will require more than technical expertise. Future leaders must be able to think systemically, navigate ambiguity, build trust across diverse stakeholder groups, and influence outcomes without relying solely on authority. According to Preston, the most effective procurement leaders will not succeed by controlling decisions. Instead, they will succeed by designing frameworks and systems that help others make better decisions. In many ways, the role is shifting from problem-solver to architect—creating structures that empower operators, align organizational goals, and support long-term success. Looking Ahead Throughout the conversation, one theme remained consistent: hospitality is ultimately a people business. Whether discussing mentorship, leadership development, operational excellence, or procurement strategy, Preston continually returned to the importance of empathy, collaboration, and shared purpose. As the industry navigates technological transformation and generational change, those human-centered leadership principles may prove to be the most valuable asset of all. Stay Connected with Meet in the Lobby To hear more conversations with hospitality leaders and industry innovators, subscribe to Meet in the Lobby on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit the Avendra website for the latest episodes, insights, and hospitality trends.
