Inspirational Women of Downtown: Jerry Herschede
High above Downtown Phoenix, the dining room at The Compass slowly turns, offering sweeping views of a skyline that has transformed dramatically over the decades.
For the past 50 years, Jerry Herschede has been part of that experience, welcoming guests to the rooftop restaurant on the 24th floor of Hyatt Regency Phoenix and witnessing the city's transformation from a skyline once dominated by Valley Bank Center to the vibrant urban core it is today.
From watching the city grow to inspiring generations of hospitality professionals, Jerry’s career tells a story of dedication and the lasting impact of women who help shape Downtown Phoenix.
As we celebrate inspirational women of Downtown for Women's History Month, we caught up with Jerry as she reflects on five decades and countless moments she's shared from her unique perspective of the city.
You’ve been welcoming guests to The Compass at Hyatt Regency for 50 years. What has it meant to you to be part of so many special moments in Downtown Phoenix’s history?
I have been honored to be a part of so many Downtown events and to see this area grow into what it is today. From sporting events and ASU and UofA making their mark, to new restaurants, to the first supermarket to accompany the growing population moving into Downtown Phoenix. I loved watching it grow into a big city since it had been a ghost town fifty years earlier.
What has kept you inspired and motivated about your work through the years, and what advice would you give to other women looking to build long, meaningful careers in Downtown Phoenix?
What has kept me inspired and motivated for the last 50 years is definitely the Hyatt Regency and the opportunity to work for a company that cares so much about its people. And of course, being part of an iconic restaurant with a backdrop of beautiful sunsets. Where else can you work five days a week and see that? There was never any room for a bad attitude.
When you first started, the skyline looked very different, with Valley Bank Center standing as the only skyscraper. What are some of the most striking changes you’ve witnessed from your unique, rotating view above the city?
When I started, the Downtown area was a blank slate, with basically the feel of a desert. I’ve seen every building come to life after hours and hours of construction and hard work. It was always exciting to see what was coming next. I loved being able to look out the window and see a city come alive, with people in the streets. I did not have a favorite, because each building has contributed to what is now Downtown Phoenix.
As we celebrate inspirational women of Downtown Phoenix, what message would you share with young women just beginning their journeys—whether in hospitality or any path they choose?
My message to young women just starting is to find a job you look forward to every day. Realize you will have bad days, but you have the power to change your thoughts and find all the positive things about that job, that keeps you coming back. Gratitude for what you have, and not what you don’t.