This story was originally published in the Miami Times in partnership with the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media.
Sherline Lexime was once a student navigating internships and coursework. Today at age 40, she is a leader in the hospitality industry, mentoring the next generation while shaping workplace culture as human resources director at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, one of Broward’s most recognizable hotels.
Her story mirrors the goals celebrated in Career and Technical Education (CTE), a state program that advocates for hands-on learning that opens doors to meaningful, long-term careers.
A Haitian American, Lexime’s professional journey began at the NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Miami Beach Senior High School.
One day was particularly transformative. She followed staff and met members of the executive leadership team at the Loew’s Miami Beach Hotel. Most interesting was each staffer’s range of experience; where they started isn’t what they ended up doing.
“Internships and job shadow day is when I realized it was a great opportunity,” Lexime said.
That early exposure proved transformative. Lexime was accepted into Johnson & Wales University with a full scholarship in 2005. There she studied hospitality management and gained an academic foundation.
Lexime’s leadership style is deeply influenced by her background. As a front desk associate at the Loews starting in 2006 and a housekeeping manager beginning in 2011, she did work that she describes as pivotal.
“It didn’t really matter what degrees I had on the wall,” she said. “Navigating that experience helped me understand the true people aspect — not just the guests, but the employees who really get the job done every day.”
In 2014 she became the Loews human resources manager. Then, four years later she moved to Highgate hotels, a real estate investment and hospitality management company. She stayed until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the hospitality industry.
Next, she picked up a new job as human resources administrator for Jewish Community Services of South Florida and stayed until 2022, when she was hired as human resources manager by Tabacalera USA Inc., a cigar company.
Around the same time, she earned a master’s degree in employment law and HR Risk Management at Florida State University.
Today, Lexime serves in her position at the Hilton, which she has held since May 2023. She is also the founder of The HR Formula Group. In that capacity, she has advised small South Florida businesses. In both roles, she focuses on employee engagement, leadership development and navigating an industry shaped by constant change.
She has been able to manage through sensitive economic times riven by global disruptions, including the 2008 housing crash and the pandemic. Lexime says she has witnessed how external events can reshape the industry almost overnight.
Still, she said, service has remained a constant.
“We do see a lot of repeat business,” she said. ”But you have to have difficult conversations with team members, and there are still a lot of unknowns. “Hospitality is an industry that is impacted by the economy, but it always rebuilds itself.”
The years of work and learning how to manage difficult times have paid forward with recognition. In 2025, she received the NAF Alumni Award, honoring her career achievements and commitment to mentoring young professionals.
“Being in the academy and getting that scholarship and then coming back to be recognized for such a prestigious award was amazing,” she said.
As a mentor, Lexime emphasizes empathy, patience and leading by example, values she believes are essential in hospitality.
“You have to be empathetic,” she said. “You have to understand the clients and your team members. And you have to lead by example.”
