Brooke Denihan Barrett is the co-CEO of Denihan Hospitality Group, a billion dollar independent owner and operator of boutique hotels in the U.S. Under Barrett’s leadership the company has overseen over $500 million in redevelopment projects in New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Miami that resulted in Inc. magazine naming the group as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in America.

Born in Queens, NY, Brooke is a second generation Irish American. Her father’s family are from Milford, Co. Cork. She attended Salve Regina University, Rhode Island. She received the 2012 Stevie Award for Woman Executive of the Year, and was recently named a ‘Legend’ among influential women by Real Estate Forum.

On the importance of her Irish heritage, Brooke says: “The U.S wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for Ireland, and Ireland wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for the U.S. It’s a very symbiotic relationship.” She lives in New York with her husband, John, and two children, John and Michelle.