Title: Director of Operations
Company: Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta, Hospitality Ventures Management Group
Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Aldijana Vugdalic, director of operations at Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta, part of Hospitality Ventures Management Group, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in hospitality.
Building her professional reputation for nearly 15 years, Ms. Vugdalic has demonstrated an esteemed ability to adapt, learn and take on ever-increasing responsibilities. Her first opportunity came in 2011, when she began working as a part-time hostess while attending college. During this formative time, Ms. Vugdalic gained a wide breadth of experience, contributing to nearly every position in the food and beverage department, including banquet serving, bartending, cooking and room service. By 2012, she graduated from college and was offered the role of outlet supervisor, cementing her passion for the hospitality industry and her intention to pursue it long-term.
Ms. Vugdalic joined Sonesta Hotels in 2014 as a food and beverage supervisor, leveraging her prior experience. Showcasing consistent improvement and curiosity, she was promoted to food and beverage manager, followed by a shift into the position of food and beverage manager for Hospitality Ventures Management Group, the management company overseeing Sonesta Hotels. From 2023 to 2024, Ms. Vugdalic assumed the duties of director of food and beverage for Hospitality Ventures Management. Throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she established a reputation for taking on multiple roles, such as assisting with housekeeping and at the front desk.
In 2024, Ms. Vugdalic applied for an opening for director of operations at Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta, and her exceptional growth was recognized when she was offered the job. As the director of operations, she utilizes strong organizational skills, hard work and transparency with both guests of the hotel and team members. Ms. Vugdalic emphasizes maintaining morale among the staff by encouraging teamwork and ensuring that everyone is aligned toward the same goals. She considers honesty to be her most important quality, while also recognizing the importance of taking initiative and perseverance in the face of the challenges that the hospitality industry presents.
Among her career accomplishments, Ms. Vugdalic is most proud of the high marks that Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta achieved in 2025’s quality assurance assessment. This is particularly noteworthy because this location operates as a unique dual property, with both a full-service hotel and an extended-stay facility. Ms. Vugdalic attends to both sides of this business, and each side has different factors on which they’re evaluated for quality assurance. In 2025, the extended-stay sector of Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta earned a 90 out of 100, while the traditional hotel division earned a 91, numbers that function as evidence of her hard work paying off.
While beginning her professional journey, Ms. Vugdalic sought a strong education to back up her plans. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and religious studies with a concentration in international affairs from Georgia State University in 2012.
Noted for her contributions to her company, Ms. Vugdalic has been celebrated with multiple accolades. Most notably, she was named Manager of the Quarter in 2024. That same year, Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta was listed as one of the best hotels in the county in part due to her guidance.
In addition to her career, Ms. Vugdalic enjoys gardening and reading books, especially thrillers and nonfiction. As she continues to excel in her work as director of operations, she is considering multiple options for her next steps. Ms. Vugdalic has considered pursuing a general manager position or transitioning into a corporate role in operations. Whatever route she takes, she is excited to remain in the hospitality industry and eager to continue serving with a commitment to honesty and integrity.
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