Sonder Holdings Inc. has appointed Tom Buoy as EVP/chief commercial officer.
Buoy has resigned from the company’s board of directors and transitioned into this newly created position on the company’s leadership team. In his new role, he will be responsible for all aspects of revenue generation and strategy, including revenue management, marketing, sales and distribution.
Buoy has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector. He was previously Interim CEO/board director for Radisson Hotel Group Americas, where he was responsible for the corporate offices and more than 680 hotels in the company’s portfolio throughout the Americas. Additionally, he served as EVP/chief commercial officer at Radisson Hotel Group Americas, and was part of the company’s executive committee. During his career, he led the commercial transformation at Extended Stay America, and also served as SVP, customer marketing and revenue management for Morgans Hotel Group (previously Ian Schrager Hotels).
“Tom is one of hospitality’s most seasoned commercial leaders, so I’m thrilled to welcome him to our management team,” said Francis Davidson, cofounder/CEO, Sonder. “In Q3, our revenue grew 29% year-over-year as we continued to make progress towards our goal of sustainable positive free cash flow. We have significant revenue opportunities ahead of us, and Tom’s leadership and deep hospitality experience will help us to deliver results.”
Buoy said, “As I experienced firsthand during my time on its board, Sonder is an incredibly dynamic business, with a bold mission to revolutionize hospitality for the next generation. I’m excited to transition into the company to oversee all aspects of topline revenue growth, combining industry best practices with disruptive thinking, at this key moment in Sonder’s journey to profitability.”
This transition follows the announcement of the upcoming departure of Shruti Challa, chief revenue officer. She will support during the transition in an advisory capacity.
“Shruti has been an outstanding executive at Sonder, having built a phenomenal team from the ground up, and skillfully navigated the pandemic where we outperformed all benchmarks,” said Davidson. “I’m incredibly proud of what she’s done for the company, and I am excited to see the new opportunities she pursues.”