Carissa Giliam named general manager of The Wildbirch Hotel
The internal appointment puts the Anchorage hotel’s former commercial leader in charge of operations, guest experience, food and beverage and team development.
Sasha Brown
3 min read
The Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage has appointed Carissa Giliam as general manager, confirming an internal move from commercial leadership to overall responsibility for the 252-room JdV by Hyatt property.
Giliam will oversee hotel operations, guest experience, commercial strategy, food and beverage, and team development. The appointment was reported by Boutique Hotelier on 20 October and Hotel News Resource on 21 October.
Carissa Giliam moves from commercial leadership to general manager
She joined The Wildbirch as director of sales and commercial affairs in August 2025 and subsequently served as interim general manager. The permanent appointment therefore retains a leader already familiar with the hotel’s commercial operation and its team.
According to the hotel’s announcement carried by Hospitality Net, Giliam brings nearly two decades of professional experience across operations, sales and guest experience. She also grew up around the sector through her family’s locally owned hotel business, Aspen Hotels.
Her previous positions include general manager of Hilton Anchorage and opening general manager of Aloft Anchorage. She also spent nearly five years as general manager of Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown and has undertaken hotel taskforce assignments.
Beyond hotel operations, Giliam spent a year as director of hospitality and visitor experience at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. That background has a direct local connection: the Smithsonian-affiliated museum is also a partner of The Wildbirch.
Giliam serves on the boards of Visit Anchorage and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership. The latter’s 2026 board directory lists her as a representative of The Wildbirch Hotel.
Leading a property rooted in downtown Anchorage
Situated in the city’s Mushing District, The Wildbirch combines accommodation with dining, meeting facilities and partnerships centred on local culture. Its official fact sheet lists 252 rooms, including eight suites, with design elements developed alongside local artists.
The hotel’s current food and beverage offering includes Crimson restaurant and bar and Canteen coffee shop and retail space. Its website lists Undertap, a brewery and tasting room, as a planned autumn 2026 addition.
For Giliam, the remit brings these different parts of the property under one leadership role. Her move from commercial affairs to general management also places responsibility for staff development and day-to-day service alongside the demand-generation work she previously led.
Related reading: Hyatt Centric’s downtown St. Louis opening and Laura Mills’ internal promotion at The Wolseley Hospitality Group.
Image: AI-generated watercolour portrait based on a photograph credited to The Wildbirch Hotel, via Hotel News Resource.
