Raina Spasov appointed as General Manager at The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection

The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection, today announced the appointment of Raina Spasov as General Manager. In her new role, Spasov will oversee operations of the 154-room hotel, located just outside Chicago in the exclusive suburban enclave of Oak Brook, Illinois. She joins the hotel’s accomplished group of female executive leaders, including owner Tely Nagle, Operations Manager and stakeholder Karla Caldera, and Director of Sales & Marketing Jill Hare, among others. 

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Spasov began her hospitality career in housekeeping at Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, FL after arriving in the United States, before relocating to Chicago and transitioning into food and beverage at Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel, where she gained valuable front-of-house experience while simultaneously pursuing a degree in Sports and Fitness Management at DePaul University. Following her work with Fitness Formula Clubs and time dedicated to her family, Spasov returned to hospitality in 2013 as Executive Assistant to the General Manager at what is now Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. It was in this role that Spasov discovered her passion for hotel operations and leadership, quickly being promoted to Operations Manager in 2016, where she led a 386-room renovation project, followed by Director of Rooms in 2019. She later advanced to Resort Manager and most recently served as General Manager, overseeing all aspects of resort operations.

Spasov’s drive and dedication have been shaped not only by her dynamic hospitality career, but also by her nearly five years on the Women’s National Snowboard Team, where she represented her home country of Bulgaria.