Gail Mandel
Gail Mandel is Managing Director of Focused Point Ventures. She was President and CEO of Wyndham Destination Network, which was the world’s largest provider of professionally managed, unique vacation accommodations. Wyndham Destination Network was a $1.6 billion revenue producing division of Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), prior to its June 1, 2018 spin off transaction. Mandel is an accomplished operational and financial leader with a track record of consistently delivering strong results. As President and CEO, she reported directly to the Chairman of the Wyndham Worldwide Board of Directors and oversaw the overall strategy and operations for the Wyndham Destination Network business.
Managing a highly decentralized and diverse employee base of over 10,000 employees doing business in over 30 languages and more than 20 currencies, Mandel introduced the strategic vision of “Leveraging our Strengths”. The successful strategy focused on cross-brand and cross-functional collaboration as well as development of innovative products that included the application of current technology and best in class analytical tools to strengthen the customer experience. The execution of the strategy resulted in four consecutive years of strong organic earnings during her tenure as CEO with 2014-2017 growth rates more than double the growth rates in 2010-2013.
Mandel actively identified and executed more than a dozen targeted acquisitions to complement and expand the Wyndham Destination Network product offering. In conjunction with Wyndham Worldwide’s spin off of the hotel division and strategic repositioning of the company, Mandel led the $1.3 billion sale of the European Rentals business including the marketing, negotiating and completing the transaction to a private equity buyer. While managing the sale process of approximately one-half of the Wyndham Destination Network business, she simultaneously led the complex change management for the remaining half of that business in preparation for the spin off transaction.
Prior to her appointment as President & CEO, Mandel was the Chief Financial Officer for the division.
Mandel held other senior finance positions at Wyndham Worldwide, Cendant Corporation and HFS Inc. She was the Chief Financial Officer and Controller of Cendant Hospitality Services Division which became Wyndham Worldwide after the 2006 spin off transaction from Cendant. In conjunction with that transaction, Mandel led the financial aspects of the Form 10 process as well as actively participated in preparation and presentation to the rating agencies. Throughout her tenure at Cendant Corporation and HFS, in addition to the day-to-day financial responsibilities, she was accountable for various aspects of due diligence, negotiation and integration of many of the acquisitions completed. Shortly after Hospitality Franchise Systems, Inc. (HFS) became a publicly traded company, Mandel was hired to start the internal audit function in 1993. In that role, she reported directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as well as the Chief Financial Officer.
She began her career as a Senior Auditor at Deloitte & Touche which provided a strong foundation for her analytical and collaborative skills.
Mandel serves on the Pace University-Lubin School of Business Advisory Board and has been a volunteer for Morris Arts for over 20 years. She is a former trustee for the Westmont Montessori School. In 2016, Mandel was recognized by the Women’s Venture Fund with the Highest Leaf Award and in 2017 Hotel Management Magazine recognized her as one of the 30 Influential Women in Hospitality.
Mandel received her bachelor’s degree from Pace University and CPA from the State of New York.