Our Story
MDA Hospitality Solutions began with a lifelong belief in the power of hospitality, and in the people who bring it to life.
Long before founding MDA, Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez was fascinated by the rhythm of hospitality. During childhood summers spent traveling with her family, she and her sister would sit in hotel lobbies for hours, watching employees welcome guests and shape the experience unfolding around them. That curiosity became a career when Mary joined The Walt Disney Company as a high school student, making ice cream cones at the Magic Kingdom and discovering how meaningful it could be to genuinely love where you work.
Her path eventually led to executive leadership and learning roles with some of the world’s most respected hospitality organizations, including the Walt Disney Company, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Fairmont Hotels. While facilitating Disney’s legendary Traditions program, Mary recognized something that would later become foundational to MDA; when employees understand their purpose, feel connected to their work, and have the tools and leadership they need to succeed, the impact reaches far beyond the employee experience. It strengthens customer satisfaction, retention, operational performance, and profitability.
Mary founded MDA Hospitality Solutions in 2015 to help organizations create that connection. Twelve years later, MDA has grown into a team of experienced strategists, operators, facilitators, and learning professionals united by a shared purpose: to inspire people to love their jobs.
Our work includes luxury residential communities, hotels, restaurants, private clubs, marinas, real estate and construction, transportation, specialty retail, event organizations, and other businesses where people and experience matter. Across every industry, we help organizations understand what is happening beneath the surface. Connecting culture, leadership, learning, service, and operations to identify the opportunities that can make the greatest difference.
At our heart, MDA is a team that believes meaningful change happens through partnership. We listen deeply, challenge thoughtfully, and remain engaged from discovery through implementation and sustainment. We do not simply recommend what should change; we work alongside our partners to build the strategies, tools, leadership capabilities, and everyday practices that allow change to take hold.
When employees feel prepared, supported, and connected to something meaningful, they create stronger experiences for everyone they serve, and stronger businesses as a result.
Our Team
Our team acts as an extension of our partners’ organizations. We combine strategic insight, operational expertise, and creative design to develop solutions that reflect each brand’s unique voice and culture.
Mary D’Argenis
CEO
Mary D’Argenis is the CEO of MDA Hospitality Solutions, delivering exceptional training programs that elevate guest service, boost employee engagement, and drive results for global brands.
She began her career at Walt Disney World and held leadership roles at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Fairmont Hotels before launching MDA in 2015. Mary holds a BA from the College of the Holy Cross, an MEd from Worcester State University, and an MBA from Webster University.
A passionate traveler and fitness enthusiast, she lives in central Florida with her two daughters, and yes, she still visits the Mouse.
Tito Ronchetta
Vice President of Operations
Tito Ronchetta is the Vice President of Operations with extensive experience in luxury hospitality and private club management. A graduate from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Business Administration, Tito has held leadership roles at prestigious hotel brands such as Mandarin Oriental and Fairmont, as well as Amelia National Golf & Country Club.
His career reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence, service quality, and team development. Fluent in English and Spanish, Tito specializes in project management, operations, and leadership skills. He is dedicated to building confident teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences through effective training and collaboration.
Bianca Gomez
Training Specialist
Bianca Gomez is a Training Specialist with a strong foundation in hospitality operations and leadership. A graduate of Florida State University’s Dedman College of Hospitality, she began her career in small businesses, including Miami’s infamous Azucar Ice Cream, where she advanced from the company’s first employee to General Manager. Bianca went on to hold key management roles at private clubs such as the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, overseeing food and beverage operations, events, and the opening of a new clubhouse. Fluent in English and Spanish, Bianca specializes in training program development, event planning, and process improvement, with a focus on creating exceptional guest and member experiences.
Nik Molitor
Instructional Designer
Nik Molitor is an Instructional Designer with a diverse professional background spanning hospitality, media, and finance. A graduate of San Diego State University with further studies at Oxford University, Nik has experience ranging from restaurant management and training to broadcast production. His career includes leadership roles in food and beverage operations and editorial management. Known for his strengths in training, operations, communication, and guest relations, Nik brings a broad, people-centered perspective to instructional design. His multidisciplinary expertise allows him to create engaging, practical learning experiences that connect strategy with real-world execution.
Grace Weston
Instructional Designer
Grace Weston is an Instructional Designer with a background in sociology and legal studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She began her career in restaurants, bars, and catering, developing deep expertise in guest service, food and beverage operations, and team collaboration. Grace’s hands-on experience in diverse service-focused settings informs her ability to design training that resonates with frontline teams and addresses real service challenges. She specializes in applying adult-learning principles to create engaging, practical, and results-driven training. Her work focuses on crafting impactful learning materials, including eLearning modules, facilitator guides, and assessments that enhance both knowledge and performance.
Daniel Gourdine
Instructional Designer
Daniel Gourdine is an Instructional Designer, bringing more than twenty years of hospitality experience and over a decade in higher education to his work. His industry background spans hotels, catering and banquets, event production, and food and wine festivals. For the past twelve years, Daniel has designed hospitality curriculum, taught hospitality management, led faculty professional development, and directed workforce development programs serving thousands of students and working professionals. He holds a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the District of Columbia, where he was an NCAA Division II tennis student-athlete. A Certified Hospitality Educator and ServSafe Certified Instructor and Proctor, Daniel draws on his industry and teaching experience to build training that connects real-world practice with the needs of learners.