Hi, I’m
Popoola Emmanuel
Senior Vice President and Operations Executive Leader
Ottawa,Texas
Summary
Accomplished Senior Vice President and Operations Executive Leader with 33+ years of experience driving investment strategy, portfolio optimization, and enterprise-wide operational excellence across institutional real estate and hospitality platforms. Proven track record of managing and scaling multi-billion-dollar portfolios (>$5.5B assets; >$4B annual revenue), delivering sustained EBITDA growth, and maximizing investor returns through disciplined capital allocation and asset repositioning. Recognized as a leader of operations with deep expertise in operational strategy, cross-functional leadership, and large-scale business transformation initiatives across complex, multi-market environments. Trusted advisor to CEOs, Boards, and Investment Committees, with extensive experience leading acquisitions, underwriting, financial modeling, and post-merger integration. Known for building high-impact functions from the ground up and driving enterprise-wide business process improvement across multiple organizations. Combines strategic vision with operational rigor to consistently deliver value creation, margin expansion, and long-term portfolio performance.
Overview
1
Certification
Work History
Publicly Traded REIT
Senior Vice President
Job overview
- Selected to lead end-to-end operations, financial performance, and strategic execution for a large-scale, geographically dispersed real estate portfolio within a publicly traded REIT.
- Directed enterprise initiatives focused on portfolio optimization, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation across 70+ assets.
- Held full executive accountability for a $150M+ revenue portfolio spanning 70 properties across 18 states, overseeing 25,000 sites and consistently sustaining ~50% GOP margins.
- Led a complex organizational structure comprising 950+ indirect reports and senior regional leadership, driving cross-functional collaboration across operations, finance, HR, marketing, legal, and construction to align enterprise strategy and execution.
- Owned enterprise-level P&L, capital planning, and forecasting processes, ensuring disciplined financial management and consistent delivery against performance targets.
- Spearheaded portfolio-wide operational transformation initiatives, driving cost optimization, service delivery enhancements, and measurable improvements in asset-level performance.
- Partnered closely with acquisitions and investment teams to evaluate opportunities, lead underwriting and due diligence, and execute seamless post-acquisition integration strategies.
- Designed and implemented standardized operating models, workforce strategies, and process frameworks to improve scalability, consistency, and margin performance.
- Played a leadership role in ESG strategy and enterprise system modernization, including selection and implementation of Property Management Systems (PMS).
- Ensured enterprise-wide compliance with regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and internal governance policies.
Institutional Real Estate Platform
Senior Vice President
Job overview
- Served as a Senior Vice President functioning in a COO-level capacity, reporting directly to the CEO, with full accountability for asset management, operations, and portfolio performance across a rapidly scaling institutional real estate platform.
- Provided executive leadership across two public, non-traded REITs, with extensive interaction with the Board of Directors, serving as primary presenter for Board and Investment Committee meetings and a key advisor on portfolio strategy, capital allocation, and investment decisions.
- Directed asset management and investment strategy for a $5.5B portfolio of 42 institutional-grade hospitality assets, generating $1.2B in revenue and $428M in GOP.
- Instrumental in scaling the portfolio from $214M to $5.5B through strategic acquisitions, capital deployment, and disciplined asset management execution.
- Delivered exceptional investor performance, achieving 68.3% total returns and 11.7% average annual returns.
- Built and institutionalized core business functions from the ground up, including asset management, operational oversight, and portfolio governance structures.
- Exercised executive oversight across asset management, operations, revenue management, and capital expenditure (CapEx), driving integrated cross-functional execution across all business verticals.
- Led underwriting, financial modeling, due diligence, and integration for acquisitions across multiple markets and asset classes.
- Served as a key contributor to Investment Committee strategy, influencing capital allocation and long-term portfolio direction.
- Acted as primary presenter to Board of Directors and Investment Committee, leading portfolio reviews and strategic investment discussions.
- Authored investor communications, SEC filings, and prospectuses, ensuring transparency and alignment with institutional stakeholders.
Hyatt
Senior Vice President
Job overview
- Appointed to transform global financial operations through the design and implementation of a centralized shared services model across a hospitality platform generating $4B+ in annual revenue.
- Built Hyatt’s Global Shared Services organization from inception, transforming financial operations across 210 business units.
- Led a large-scale organization of 840+ indirect reports and 9 senior regional leaders across finance and operations.
- Directed a $23M enterprise finance transformation initiative, enhancing reporting accuracy, decision-making capabilities, and operational efficiency.
- Implemented ERP/EPM systems (Oracle/Hyperion), driving standardization, scalability, and performance visibility across the enterprise.
- Delivered significant cost savings through outsourcing strategies, vendor negotiations, and process optimization.
- Strengthened governance, internal controls, and financial reporting frameworks across global operations.
Finance Leader
Job overview
- Led financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis across a portfolio of 300+ properties in North America and the Caribbean.
- Supported IPO readiness, governance frameworks, and enterprise risk management initiatives.
- Partnered with executive leadership to drive strategic financial decision-making and portfolio performance.
- Centralized corporate finance functions across multiple business units, improving efficiency and financial visibility.
- Reduced financial close cycle from 30 days to 6 days through process reengineering.
- Supported major transactions, including M&A activity and corporate restructuring initiatives.
Global Accounting Operations Leader
Job overview
- Led global accounting operations and internal control frameworks for managed hotel portfolio.
- Directed enterprise SOX compliance initiatives and financial process improvements.
- Played a key leadership role in the $600M acquisition and integration of 143 AmeriSuites properties, including rebranding to the Hyatt Place brand.
Financial Consultant
Job overview
- Led financial due diligence and advisory engagements for complex real estate and hospitality transactions.
- Delivered SOX advisory services and acquisition support for institutional clients.
Finance Leader
Job overview
- Built and scaled finance organization from inception, supporting a $51M venture-backed company.
- Drove 350% growth through acquisitions, financial strategy, and operational scaling.
- Led due diligence and integration of 12 acquisitions, driving rapid growth and operational scalability.
Audit and Advisory Leader
Job overview
- Delivered audit, advisory, and IPO support services for real estate and hospitality clients.
- Managed engagement teams and complex financial reporting initiatives.
Education
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Arts from Accounting
Skills
- Investment & Portfolio Strategy
- Institutional Real Estate & REIT Operations
- Acquisitions, Dispositions & Asset Repositioning
- P&L Leadership & EBITDA Growth
- Capital Allocation & Financial Stewardship
- Operational Transformation & Turnaround Execution
- Executive Operations Leadership
- Business Process Optimization & Reengineering
- Cross-Functional Executive Leadership
- Financial Modeling, Forecasting & Underwriting
- Mergers & Acquisitions Integration
- Governance, Risk & Regulatory Compliance
- ESG Strategy & Enterprise Initiatives
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Enterprise Collaboration
Certification
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Illinois
Affiliations
- Illinois Manufactured Housing Association (IMHA), Board Member | Vice President | Legislative Action Committee
- American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Financial Management Committee | Subcommittee Chair
Professional Attributes
- Builder of enterprise functions and scalable operating models across multiple high-growth organizations.
- Proven leader in business process optimization and operational transformation at scale.
- Extensive cross-functional leadership experience spanning asset management, operations, and finance.
- Trusted advisor to executive leadership, Boards, and Investment Committees.
- Consistent track record of driving portfolio growth, asset value creation, and superior financial performance.
Timeline
Senior Vice President
Publicly Traded REIT
Senior Vice President
Institutional Real Estate Platform
Senior Vice President
Hyatt
Finance Leader
Global Accounting Operations Leader
Financial Consultant
Finance Leader
Audit and Advisory Leader
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Arts from Accounting