Zachary Schwartz, Senior Advisor
Former CEO and Private Equity Executive
As a 20-year industry veteran, private equity investor and CEO, Mr. Schwartz has led acquisitions, built businesses (legacy and start-up) and strategized the turnaround, growth and exit of hotels / portfolio companies across EMEA & North America.
As the CEO and Board Member of YAYS Group, he led an award-winning, private equity-backed serviced apartment and brand platform through transformation, expansion and exit on behalf of the shareholders. Prior to this Senior Operator role in a portfolio company, Mr. Schwartz spent six years as a real estate Private Equity Executive and investor at Cerberus Capital Management. There, he led direct real estate and NPL transactions for European hotels and served as a Board Director for Cerberus hospitality holdings comprising 4,000+ keys in the Region.
Through PKF and Atlantico, Mr. Schwartz has been a leading industry consultant involved in 100+ hospitality engagements across the globe. Earlier in his career, he managed acquisition and asset management strategies with Host Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest lodging-focused REITs. His brand management roles with Marriott Grand Residences and Leading Hotels of the World also gives him unique insight into luxury hospitality strategies.
Mr. Schwartz holds a B.S. in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and a M.S. in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
