Rival Hospitality Leadership Team
Lisa Pennau - Founding Partner - COO/CFO
With over 30 years of distinguished experience in the hospitality industry, Mrs. Lisa Pennau has has carved a remarkable path to success. Her journey commenced as a rental car agent at Oshkosh Airport, Wisconsin, while she diligently pursued degrees in hospitality management and sales & marketing at a local college. Rapidly advancing her career, Lisa assumed the role of manager in training at Super 8 hotels in Wichita, Kansas, and was soon promoted to the esteemed position of General Manager at a Super 8 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Recognized for her exceptional skills, Lisa was sought after by Baymont to become a traveling manager, lending her expertise to various Midwest distressed properties. Subsequently, Hilton appointed her as General Manager at a Hampton Inn Minnetonka, MN, where she continued to flourish. When the hotel changed hands, Lisa's capabilities led to her promotion as Regional Director of Operations for Pillar Hotels, where she adeptly oversaw a portfolio of 25+ hotels across the Midwest market, spanning states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Throughout her decade-long tenure as Regional Director, Lisa's exemplary leadership extended to multiple prominent hotel brands, including Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. Her commitment to excellence earned her the prestigious title of Regional Director of the Year, an accolade that recognized her hotels' top performance in revenue, operations, guest service scores, and employee turnover.
In 2012, driven by her passion for the industry, Lisa ventured into the world of feasibility study work and founded her own successful company. Emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, she and her husband relocated to Arizona, where Lisa continued to thrive, fueled by her profound knowledge and meticulous attention to detail.
Today, Mrs. Lisa Pennau remains an industry stalwart, epitomizing professionalism, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional hospitality. With her keen acumen and relentless pursuit of excellence, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the hospitality landscape.a remarkable path to success.
Jessica Junker - Founding Partner & CMO/CDO
With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Miss Jessica Junker brings a wealth of expertise and hands-on experience to the forefront. Her journey commenced as a banquet server at a prestigious full-service hotel in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she quickly ascended the ranks to become a manager within a remarkably short span of time.
Venturing further into her career, Jessica assumed the pivotal role of Director of Sales at a Residence Inn by Marriott, demonstrating her exceptional skills in driving revenue and exceeding sales targets. Subsequently, she embraced the challenging position of Area Director of Sales with Interstate Hotels, overseeing a diverse portfolio of properties.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Jessica further excelled as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing with Pillar Hotels. In this role, she skillfully handled the sales, marketing, and revenue management strategies for an extensive range of hotels, encompassing major and emerging brands throughout the country.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and personal growth, Jessica embarked on a new journey in the realm of hotel franchise development. Working in several executive roles within a rising hotel franchise, she gained comprehensive insights into every facet of the construction phase, including development, construction, and contracting.
Throughout her career, Miss Jessica Junker has honed her skills under the tutelage of industry leaders, including Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, Choice Hotels, Tharaldson Hospitality, Interstate Hotels, Pillar Hotels & Resorts, Cobblestone Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and many other renowned names.
Her proficiency extends across hotel operations, sales, marketing, training, and development, making her a true authority in all aspects of the hospitality domain. Today, Jessica remains driven by a passion for excellence, continuously striving to elevate the standards of the hospitality industry through her vast expertise and unwavering dedication.
Sara McKay - Regional Director of Sales and Operations
Sara McKay is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 13 years of experience as a General Manager, Owner, and Operator in the hotel industry, where she led all aspects of operations, from groundbreaking to daily management. Her leadership fostered strong employee engagement, high retention rates, and consistent revenue growth. Now serving as the Regional Director of Sales and Operations at Rival Hospitality, she brings a deep understanding of hotel management, sales strategy, and operational excellence. Rival Hospitality stands out in the industry due to its team of seasoned professionals, who take a hands-on approach to managing properties. Sara embodies this philosophy, rolling up her sleeves to understand the unique needs of each hotel under her purview and driving performance through tailored sales initiatives and operational efficiencies.
Before venturing into the hospitality industry, Sara honed her managerial expertise as the Practice Manager at Pella Pets Veterinary Clinic. In this role, she was responsible for hiring, training, and leading veterinary technicians and front office staff while fostering strong relationships between veterinarians, staff, and clients. Earlier in her career, Sara built a successful tenure in sales and agribusiness, serving as a Sales Representative for Elanco Animal Health, an Agronomist for Stine Seed Company, and a Grain Merchandiser for AGP.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University. She remains engaged in her community, has served on various boards and participates in initiatives such as Meals on Wheels and local booster club events. Through her career and community involvement, Sara continues to embody leadership, innovation, and service excellence.
Laura Dietz - Area Director of Sales and Operations
Laura Dietz brings more than two decades of hospitality leadership experience to her new role as Area Director of Sales and Marketing. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations for Beechwood Hotel Group, where she provided leadership and operational oversight for eight Hilton-branded hotels across Wisconsin, Florida, and North Dakota, developing SOPs and training programs, monitoring P&L performance, and serving as the primary point of contact for operations, sales, and marketing initiatives. Before that, she spent twelve years as General Manager of the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Appleton, Wisconsin, leading sales efforts, revenue management, and marketing plans while supervising a team of 30 or more employees, and earlier built her foundation at the Holiday Inn Appleton, rising from Sales Manager to Guest Service Manager.
Throughout her career, Laura has paired hands-on revenue management and sales leadership with a genuine passion for developing people and building strong, empowered teams. She has also been an active voice in her community, serving on the boards of the Fox Cities Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Business Improvement District for downtown Neenah, and the ARA Exhibition Center Advisory Committee, among other civic and professional organizations. We're thrilled to welcome her expertise in sales, marketing, and hotel operations to the team.
Sara Jones - Area Director of Sales and Operations
Sara Jones brings a strong foundation in guest service and day-to-day hotel operations to her new role. Since October 2024, she has served as Lead Front Desk at Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Maryville, Missouri, where her responsibilities have spanned reservations for individual and group guests, check-in and check-out, guest communications, and cross-training in both housekeeping and breakfast service. Along the way, she's built a reputation for accuracy, attentiveness, and a genuine commitment to making sure every guest's needs are met.
Before joining the hospitality industry, Sara spent over a decade, from 2011 to 2023, as a Team Leader at Kawasaki in Maryville, where she directed job assignments, balanced production workflows, and upheld rigorous safety and quality standards. That experience sharpened the multitasking, problem-solving, and team leadership skills she now brings to her work in hospitality. A graduate of Hamburg High School in Hamburg, Iowa, Sara combines hands-on operational know-how with a customer-first mindset, and we're excited to see that skill set grow into her new responsibilities.
Stephanie Knutson - Executive Administration
Stephanie has worked in all forms of the service industry for 20 plus years and takes care of all Rival Hospitality Hotel’s Social Media while also providing property support when needed. Additionally, Stephanie receives all Rival Hotel’s Help emails and supports staff members when needed.
Kristen Robinson - Property Support Manager
Kristin is an accomplished property support manager with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, dedicated to building high-performing teams, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and driving operational excellence. My leadership style is centered on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, enabling teams to achieve measurable business results while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service.
Throughout my career, I have successfully led diverse teams, managed complex operations, and built strong relationships with employees, guests, and stakeholders. I believe effective leadership is rooted in clear communication, strategic thinking, and empowering others to reach their full potential.
With more than two decades in hospitality, I have developed expertise in team development, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and creating positive workplace cultures. I am committed to fostering environments where employees thrive, guests receive outstanding service, and organizations achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.