Angela Lester
Executive Vice President of Business Development / Hakkasan Group
Where were you when you received your 40 Under 40 award? I was general manager for Vdara at CityCenter.
Where are you now? I am primarily based out of Las Vegas. My husband is Greek, so we spend our holidays and the summers in Greece and I am traveling about 75% of my time globally for work.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? Personally, it’s my 3-year-old son, Ares. He has traveled to 26-plus countries with me. He has made me see the world through his bright and inquisitive eyes. Professionally, it was transitioning my career path from hotel operations to global business development. I have been able to expand and connect my knowledge, network and passion for global markets into a lifelong career.
What have you learned the hard way? To value important relationships more. As I get older, I realize that I should have worked harder when I was younger to foster and cherish these meaningful relationships.
What’s the best spot for a lunch meeting? In Las Vegas, Estiatorio Milos has an intimate yet rich design integrated with a nod to Greek lifestyle, and offers the freshest cuisine. It always makes me feel as if I am in the Mediterranean.
Who is your business hero? Locally, it’s Bobby Baldwin. Globally, it’s Bill Gates.
If you ran Las Vegas, what’s the first thing you would do? Reduce the city’s dependence on gaming revenues, diversify the economy and continue to develop the public service sectors.