MEET MORE OF OUR 2025 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
For the team of women running The Pfister Hotel, creating a space that is curated for comfort, care, inspiration and joy is the highest priority.
Katherine Davis, the director of the front office, started working in hospitality at the age of 18. Today, she makes sure Milwaukee’s iconic, historic hotel is providing a world-class experience for every guest.
Barkha Daily, the general manager of Mason Street Grill, grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal. Food was always the heartbeat of her family, and she learned to love cooking for others when she saw how a delicious meal could make someone’s face light up.
While Brenda Simonis was attending college to become an art teacher, she took a third-shift job at a hotel and fell in love with the hospitality industry. Those late shifts turned into a career, as she now leads The Pfister’s housekeeping team.
Similarly, Elizabeth Walsh-Zimmermann, the director of WELL Spa + Salon, originally went to school for zoology/marine biology and psychology, supporting herself with a job at a salon and spa in Chicago. That opportunity sparked her career change.
Though the four women come from different backgrounds, all of their work in hospitality and at The Pfister requires empathy, discipline and a strong passion for what they do. This team is continuing The Pfister’s long legacy of hospitality excellence with their contributions to delicious dining, indulgent spa experiences and luxurious guest accommodations.
“So much goes on behind the scenes at The Pfister,” Walsh-Zimmermann says. “It is an intentionally orchestrated symphony, with the goal of creating perfect experiences for our guests.”
“We rise by lifting each other up.”
– Katherine Davis
Q&A
What advice do you have for women who want to pursue a career like yours?
Katherine Davis: Own your ambition and don’t be afraid to start from the bottom. Every role, no matter how small it may seem, is a learning opportunity. Build relationships, stay curious, never stop developing yourself, and most importantly, make space for other women to grow with you. We rise by lifting each other up.
Elizabeth Walsh-Zimmermann: Just do it, whatever it is. Life is about trial and error, you never know unless you try. This field is only getting bigger and better in every aspect, so there is opportunity everywhere. It is both spiritually rewarding and intellectually challenging, so you get the best of both worlds.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Barkha Daily: The most rewarding part about my career is how food and hospitality can transform someone’s day. The spark in their eyes, a smile, or a few kind words—that’s invisible luxury at its finest. It’s about the feeling you leave behind with each guest.
Brenda Simonis: Honestly, I love my team so much. I really look forward to coming in to work as my day is always full of laughs. I also love connecting with guests and doing what I can to make their stay special. It is great meeting new people, hearing their stories and finding ways to assist them any way I can.
