The ambitious woman driving progress in Toronto hotels
How Reetu Gupta is changing the face of leadership
What does it take to lead a successful business? Simply put, a vision and ambition. Reetu Gupta has paved the way for determined women, like herself, to take charge in male-dominated industries, empowering them to succeed by leading with vision and empathy.
Born and raised in the world of real estate and hospitality, Gupta has an infectious enthusiasm for what she does. Beginning in administrative roles at 14, she continued to expand her experience and knowledge of the hotel industry for decades. After completing her bachelor of business administration at the University of Toronto, she returned to the family business, The Gupta Group, where she initiated the opening of new hotels and banquet halls. She went on to earn her master of business administration at Toronto’s Schulich School of Business, committing to broaden The Gupta Group’s influence. Since then, she has held many roles within the company, from VP of sales and marketing to COO.
Empowering female leadership
Today, Gupta has taken on the self-chosen title of ambassadress. “There’s not a lot of female energy in the executive corporate world across the country,” she says. People often saw her name and assumed she was a man, so she wanted to bring this ultra-feminine title to the forefront. Under her leadership, more than 60 per cent of managerial roles in The Gupta Group are now held by women. She advocates for creating a strong team of diverse voices, and for allowing those with initiative to grow within the business. “I encourage all of our general managers to create a wicked bench,” she says.
When asked to describe her leadership style, she emphasizes love and compassion—two words she feels “no one associates with leadership.” Listening to her team is also critical. “It’s very important to understand where people are coming from and what their experiences are. That’s how you can incorporate it back into your business. Then you can be that much more successful.” This approach extends beyond her team to include guests, partners and investors.
Shaping landmark projects
One of Gupta’s focuses is creating unique, experiential hotel offerings that cater to local tastes and preferences. That’s why the Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville, which opened in February 2023, is close to her heart. “I’m very proud of our city and I think it’s lovely that we can incorporate a lot of Toronto artists, foods and Canadian-owned wines within our hotel,” she says. This lively lifestyle boutique hotel is miles from traditional, with a tranquil terrace, a warm dining room, an on-site café, an expansive gym and art by prominent local artists. “It’s a very unique offering that you don’t see in downtown Toronto,” she says. In the lobby, graffiti by Anser is displayed, while on the third floor you’ll find vibrant pieces by Pascal Paquette. Another partnership with Deborah Cox brings the Canadian singer-songwriter’s new rosé to guests.
Another innovative project Gupta oversaw is Revery, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, which opened in summer 2024. Located in the Entertainment District, it’s inspired by Toronto’s iconic theatres, artists and events, like TIFF. “I feel like hotels all have this magic about them, and I wanted this to be a place where dreams can come true,” says Gupta. The artwork in the lobby showcases an array of singers, such as the Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Prince, Freddie Mercury and Kurt Cobain: “It’s sort of an ode to the arts.” From its French-inspired dining to its curated event space, Revery aims to captivate. “The whole hotel has a little bit of an old Hollywood feel, which is very cool and different.”
Inspiring philanthropy
Gupta has also made strides to help women thrive globally. In Egypt, she created a program to help women start a business with a holistic approach. “There’s a lot of women there who have amazing desires and ambitions, but they don’t have access,” she says. For two years, her team taught women different trades, from hairdressing to agriculture, equipping them with skills to start their own businesses. “These women had this sense of confidence and empowerment that now their husband was not the only breadwinner.”
Gupta is also an accomplished author. Her first book, Auspicious, encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves and honour their life’s purpose with intention. “I touched a lot on how to follow your dreams and listen to your heart,” she says. Her second book, Whispers of the Soul, now available for pre-sale on Amazon, is a collection of quotes and poetry on happiness and passion.
“People look at a leader and think they need to be a motivational speaker and have amazing communication skills,” says Gupta. “But listening, and having a vision and a team that understands your vision, are just as important.”
