Dayna Van Nieuwkerk
Summary
Hospitality professional with extensive experience in supervising and guiding teams. Strong focus on collaboration and achieving results while adapting to changing needs. Skilled in team leadership, conflict resolution, and process improvement, ensuring efficient operations and high performance. Reliable and flexible, consistently delivering quality outcomes in fast-paced environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Food and Beverage Manager
Club WYNDHAM
11.2024 - Current
- Oversaw the hiring process for new employees, selecting top talent to join our team.
- Resolved customer concerns promptly and professionally, ensuring repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
- Assisted in financial management tasks such as budget planning, forecasting revenue projections, and monitoring expenses closely.
Guest Services Manager
Pullman Magenta Shores
08.2023 - 11.2024
- Responsible for the day of execution of meetings, conferences, weddings, formals and other social events. Managing a team of approximately 30 over various hotel, restaurant and bar outlets.
- Optimized scheduling practices to ensure adequate coverage during peak times while controlling labor costs effectively.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of staff members to foster growth, development, and accountability in the workplace.
Restaurant Supervisor/Concierge Team Leader
8 at Trinity
04.2022 - 08.2023
- Supervise restaurant staff in Lake MacQuaries most upscale modern fine dining restaurant. Fast paced, high volume restaurant service. Responsible for front desk/concierge services including making group bookings, planning events and weddings.
- Handled guest complaints professionally, resolving issues to enhance overall satisfaction levels.
- Coordinated team members with focus on productivity, efficiency and enhancing customer experience.
- Monitored staff performance, enforcing adherence to policies, procedures, regulations, health codes, license requirements and top service standards.
Food and Beverage Manager
The Prince of Wales Hotel
04.2020 - 04.2022
- Managed a team of 35 seasonal employees across two dining facilities in a UNESCO World Heritage Site boutique property. Focused on a unique, period-sensitive service and experience with a modern flair.
- Oversaw selection, ordering and inventory controls of wine, beer and alcohol program.
- Fostered culture of excellence among staff, providing ongoing training and development opportunities that led to several internal promotions.
- Facilitated cross-training among staff members to ensure operational continuity and flexibility, improving overall team effectiveness.
- This was a seasonal position completed over two summers during the Covid 19 pandemic, during which I was promoted from Assistant Front Desk Manager to Food and Beverage Manager.
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Sunshine Village Mountain Resort
10.2020 - 04.2022
- Responsible for the operations of Sunshine Mountain Resort’s premier on hill dining service at Canada’s Highest Altitude hotel in Sunshine Village.
- This was a ski seasonal contract covering October through April/May for two winters over the Covid 19 pandemic.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly and professionally.
- Performed daily administrative tasks, such as ordering supplies, processing invoices and reconciling accounts.
- Pitched in to help host, waitstaff, and bussers during exceptionally busy times such as dinner hour.
Food and Beverage Director
The Trident Hotel
09.2019 - 04.2020
- Contract ended due to closure of property over the Covid 19 pandemic and seeking relocation refuge back in our home country.
- Monitored industry trends to remain current with evolving culinary techniques, presentation styles, and consumer preferences for continuous improvement of offerings.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by implementing innovative food and beverage menus tailored to client preferences.
- Managed successful special events, including weddings and corporate functions, ensuring seamless execution from planning to completion.
Assistant General Manager
Coyaba Restaurant
04.2017 - 09.2019
- Operations management of a small fine dining restaurant, specializing in French/Caribbean fusion. Worked with a very condensed group of international and local staff to provide five star service in a romantic garden setting. Executed wedding coordination and events with internationally recognized corporate clients and celebrities.
- Developed and implemented new operational procedures, streamlining daily tasks and improving overall efficiency.
- Mentored staff members, fostering a supportive work environment that enhanced employee performance and retention.
Department Supervisor
Calgary Sports and Entertainment Group
07.2009 - 04.2017
- Fast paced beer, wine and fine spirits service to clientele in a high volume event space.
- Execution of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and many other private or exclusive wine dinners/events.
- Coached employees and trained on methods for handling various aspects of sales, complicated issues, and difficult customers.
- Reduced employee turnover rate through effective communication, regular feedback, and fostering a positive work environment.
Banquet Coordinator
Calgary Zoological Society
06.2015 - 04.2019
- Directed and managed banquet functions for 50-300+ attendee events.
- Facilitated successful events by coordinating staff schedules, delegating tasks efficiently, and providing clear direction during high-pressure situations.
- Managed budgets effectively for optimal cost control, negotiating vendor contracts and monitoring expenses closely.
- Enhanced client satisfaction with personalized menu planning and seamless dietary accommodation.
Fine Dining Server/Bartender
Rush Restaurant
06.2011 - 06.2015
- Skillfully juggled multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining calm under pressure during busy shifts.
- Formal wine and meal service in one of Canada's premiere fine dining restaurants.
- Assisted with private, off site events with one of Canada’s top chefs and restaurateurs, Justin Leboe.
- Contributed to team effort by assisting colleagues when needed, displaying strong teamwork abilities within the server community.
Education
Business diploma - Legal Assistance
Herzing College
Winnipeg, MB05-2004
Skills
- Expense tracking and analysis
- Active listening skills
- Customer-focused service
- Resilient performance under pressure
- Staff development and coaching
- Talent acquisition
- Quality control
- Skilled in clear and concise communication
- POS systems operations
- Scheduling expertise
- Stock management
- Coaching and mentoring
Certification
- Current RSA certification QLD and NSW
- WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Course, Calgary, AB
- Event Management Certification, New Skills Academy Collegiate
- Business Basics Certification, New Skills Academy Collegiate
Timeline
Food and Beverage Manager
Club WYNDHAM
11.2024 - Current
Guest Services Manager
Pullman Magenta Shores
08.2023 - 11.2024
Restaurant Supervisor/Concierge Team Leader
8 at Trinity
04.2022 - 08.2023
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Sunshine Village Mountain Resort
10.2020 - 04.2022
Food and Beverage Manager
The Prince of Wales Hotel
04.2020 - 04.2022
Food and Beverage Director
The Trident Hotel
09.2019 - 04.2020
Assistant General Manager
Coyaba Restaurant
04.2017 - 09.2019
Banquet Coordinator
Calgary Zoological Society
06.2015 - 04.2019
Fine Dining Server/Bartender
Rush Restaurant
06.2011 - 06.2015
Department Supervisor
Calgary Sports and Entertainment Group
07.2009 - 04.2017
Business diploma - Legal Assistance
Herzing College
Similar Profiles
Emilie HarrisEmilie Harris
Guest Experience Host at Club WYNDHAMGuest Experience Host at Club WYNDHAM
Austin BuchananAustin Buchanan
Marketing Agent at Club WYNDHAMMarketing Agent at Club WYNDHAM
Chad MazurekChad Mazurek
Front Line Sales Manager at Club WyndhamFront Line Sales Manager at Club Wyndham
Courtney PerryCourtney Perry
Food and Beverage Manager /Assistant Food and Beverage Director at Fort William Henry CorpFood and Beverage Manager /Assistant Food and Beverage Director at Fort William Henry Corp
Georgina FaganGeorgina Fagan
Food and Beverage Manager /Restaurant Food Server at Olivetto Pizzeria & RistoranteFood and Beverage Manager /Restaurant Food Server at Olivetto Pizzeria & Ristorante