global leadership team

Henry Luebbert, a 30-year veteran of the housing industry, brings a profound passion for hospitality and guest service to the organization. As a Co-Founding Partner at Synergy Global Housing, he is responsible for the overall strategic position and vision of the company. On a day-to-day basis, Luebbert oversees Synergy’s Operations and Finance divisions.

Luebbert began his illustrious career in the hotel industry, first serving as a bellhop, then a Rooms Division Manager at the ITT Sheraton. During this time, Luebbert’s love for hospitality and guest service took shape and became a passion, a passion he brought to the Corporate Housing Industry when he joined Oakwood Worldwide in 1990.

At Oakwood, Luebbert focused on identifying innovative solutions that enhanced the guest experience. His efforts lead to a Regional Manager promotion, overseeing Oakwood’s entire Pacific Northwest region. In this role, Luebbert teamed up with Jack Jensky, and the two began a partnership that would eventually lead to the founding of Synergy Global Housing.

He is currently a board member for the Corporate Housing Providers Association and offers guidance to the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, Global Business Travelers Association, and the Serviced Apartment Summit.

Jack Jensky has spent nearly three decades serving the corporate housing industry, twenty years as the Co-Founding Partner of Synergy Global Housing. He helped grow Synergy from a local regional housing provider into the global housing program management company it is today. Jensky is responsible for the development and delivery of innovative, customizable solutions that meet the evolving needs of the customer. On a day-to-day basis, Jensky oversees the organization’s Sales and Marketing efforts.

Jensky began his career as a sales representative at Oakwood Worldwide, where he grew a client contact list of three to 103 within his first six months of employment. He was promoted to Regional Sales Manager in 1992. It is in this role Jensky developed his leadership skills and strengthened his ability to serve as a mentor to the various sales individuals on his team.

While serving in this role, Jensky met Henry Luebbert, where the two quickly realized they both shared a passion for enhancing the guest experience of the temporary housing industry. Eventually, they began a partnership that became Synergy Global Housing.

In 2005, Jensky was awarded the Corporate Housing Providers Association’s (CHPA) Individual of the Year Award. In addition, under his leadership, Synergy has been awarded CHPA’s Most Creative Marketing and Best Green Progress awards.

Debra Christopher is an experienced serviced accommodations expert with more than 25 years of industry experience. She joined Synergy in 2015 after serving as the Vice President of Operations for the Irvine Company, where she was responsible for management of more than 14,000 multi-family units as well as the company’s corporate furnished division.

She entered the furnished apartments industry after beginning her career in property management, where she held a Certified Property Management designation and was a licensed real estate broker. She has served as an executive at Irvine Company and Oakwood Worldwide.

As President, Christopher works to execute Synergy’s strategy, with a focus on organizational culture, innovation, strategic planning, and talent management.

Patrick is an accomplished finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading accounting, finance and special project teams, both domestically and internationally. Known for his easy-going personality and approachable nature, Patrick brings a wealth of experience in accounting, finance, management, risk management, strategic planning and transactions.

Before joining Synergy, Patrick worked as both CFO and trusted advisor to venture companies, private equity funds and corporate entities ranging from start-ups to multi-national operators. As a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California (inactive), Patrick’s keen eye for detail and his broad industry knowledge have helped numerous organizations achieve their financial goals and thrive in their industries.

At Synergy, Patrick is responsible for all aspects of the company's finance organization. This includes leading the finance team, managing financial resources, developing and implementing financial strategies and risk management. With his expertise and guidance, Synergy is well-positioned to continue its impressive growth trajectory and achieve its long-term goals.

Sharon Mercado is an accomplished and seasoned Human Resources practitioner with 20 years of experience overseeing a full spectrum of personnel programs, services, and functions. She joined Synergy in 2014.

Prior to joining Synergy, Mercado served in human resources roles for various companies around the world, including several start-up organizations, giving her the experience of supporting a large, diverse workforce in multiple international locations. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, Northern California Human Resources Association, and Forbes Human Resources Council.

Mercado is responsible for the organization’s staffing, training, recruitment, retention, and culture initiatives.

Leslie O’Brien has deep experience in the corporate housing space spanning nearly 30 years. She came to Synergy from Oakwood, where she most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of Domestic Operations. In this role, O’Brien was responsible for the management, growth and operational execution of Oakwood’s U.S. market, coast to coast. She also spearheaded a customer experience initiative for the U.S. market and was the Executive sponsor for large domestic and global accounts with revenue exceeding $100 million.

At Synergy, O’Brien leads the U.S. Operations team and is responsible for the development, growth and operational execution of Synergy’s U.S. markets.

A proven leader and industry pioneer, Barrie brings close to two decades of experience and expertise to her role with Synergy. She has held various sales leadership roles for corporations in the serviced accommodation space. Most recently, as VP of Sales at BridgeStreet, she played a pivotal role in growing the company’s footprint in key markets throughout Europe in both a client and supplier capacity. Prior to BridgeStreet, Barrie served as the Director of Sales for Clarendon. Before that, she firmly placed Oakwood Worldwide as a European force serving as its Director of Sales, EMEA—one of three positions she held throughout her 14 plus years with the industry pioneer.

In Synergy, Barrie, a designated Worldwide ERC® Global Mobility Specialist (GMS), oversees global sales and marketing, develops new clients and sectors while leading a team to ensure exceptional service delivery to core global clientele. Additionally, she currently serves as a Director for the Supplier Board with the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM). A post she’s held since January of 2016.

Susan Becker brings over three decades of serviced accommodation experience and expertise to her role with Synergy. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Becker helps manage and support Synergy’s Business Development teams and client accounts as the Regional Vice President of Sales in the Western United States. 

Starting as an account executive with industry pioneer Oakwood, Becker navigated the serviced accommodations landscape and quickly rose to a leadership position within the company. Since she joined Synergy and has held various sales leadership roles within Synergy for the past 11+ years, most recently, as Managing Director of Sales for the Western U.S. 

Playing a pivotal role in growing Synergy’s client footprint throughout her time, Becker bridges her long-standing client relationships and extensive background with an impassioned approach to account growth, development, and leadership. 

Sofia Oragano is the Senior Director of International Sales at Synergy, and is responsible for sales leadership of the EMEA and APAC regions. With 13 years of experience in the serviced apartment industry, her extensive background encompasses various roles in operator, aggregator, and hybrid serviced apartment companies.

She excels in collaborating with buyers to elevate accommodation programs by enhancing user experiences, maximizing adoption, and driving efficiencies. Sofia is fueled by her passion for sustainability, connectivity, and inclusivity, and she's dedicated to shaping the future of the industry. She's also a proud GBTA Ladders Mentee, contributing to her continuous growth and development. 

An international travel and relocation expert, Wyatt brings 15 years of relocation experience to his role with Synergy. He began his relocation career in Hong Kong, working for an Asia-headquartered household goods moving company. Further, his resume includes positions as an Operations Team Leader and an executive leadership role as Vice President of Client Services for The MI Group, a relocation management firm. He oversaw the entire Asia Pacific operational excellence team.

After 27 years of living and working in Hong Kong, Wyatt, a designated Worldwide ERC® Global Mobility Specialist (GMS), immigrated to the U.S. in early 2019 to lead the Aires Relocation west coast relocations team.

In his role as Vice President Client Services, Robert is responsible for managing the overall relationship between critical corporate clients and the supporting account management team. This includes full reporting responsibilities, escalations, business reviews, new client implementations, policy/benefit benchmarking, and global trends analysis.

Robin Spindel is a strategic marketing executive with a talent for driving growth-mode companies to greater brand recognition, profit, and international market share. She brings over 20 years of executive-level marketing experience in the hospitality industry to her role at Synergy.

Before Synergy, Spindel served as EVP of Marketing for serviced apartment company Furnished Quarters, where she proved pivotal in doubling the company’s annual revenue, expanding its digital presence, and fueling the company’s growth from a regional player to a global corporate housing company during her eight-year tenure. Prior to Furnished Quarters, Spindel served in marketing executive roles for Ultimate Escapes, Insight Cuba, and Sherman’s Travel.

At Synergy, Spindel leads the global marketing team and is responsible for Synergy’s international marketing strategy and execution.

Michelle Low is an experienced and savvy 25-year veteran of the hospitality and serviced accommodation industry. Low began her career at the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Singapore as a sales manager before moving on to sales management at the Westin and Conrad Hotels and Resorts before transitioning to corporate housing and global mobility with senior leadership roles at Oakwood and Cartus. 

Based in Singapore, Low leads Synergy’s growing network of 300+ vetted supplier partners worldwide with a strategic, creative, dynamic, and often inspirational approach. She is known for her keen focus on results through applying consistent standards, performance metrics, and rigorous supplier management and creating strong partner relationships based on mutual benefit and transparency.  

As the Global VP of Supply Chain, Low is responsible for developing and implementing the global supply chain strategy and execution that supports Synergy’s global client base. 

An accomplished leader in the global relocation, temporary housing, and insurance housing industries, Mack began her career 20 years ago in Supply Chain Management at Cartus, where she led its temporary housing and rental housing supply chain programs. 

After Cartus, Mack joined BridgeStreet Worldwide where she was responsible for the strategic development and leadership of its global sales, operations, account management, and supplier program divisions. In 2012, she joined Oakwood Worldwide as a Vice President and launched the company’s first-ever Insurance Housing division. After consulting for Synergy for over two years as an independent contractor, Mack officially joined the company in March of 2020 as Vice President of Global Supply Chain, playing a pivotal role in its COVID-19 response and strategy. In January of 2022, she accepted the position of Chief Diversity Officer, bridging her industry experience, skillset as an adjunct communication professor, and personal experiences to help Synergy define its DE&I initiatives.   

As Chief Diversity Officer, Mack is responsible for Synergy’s global DE&I strategy and philosophy while ensuring diversity is engrained throughout the company’s culture, hiring practices, and vendor partnerships. 

As creative as he is analytical, Lance’s track record of professional achievements stems from more than 30 years of experience working in Information Technology, 20 of which have been spent in the serviced accommodation sector. 

Lance joined Synergy after more than two decades with BridgeStreet Global Hospitality, most recently as the company’s Chief Information Officer. During his time in the extended-stay industry, Lance has played a prominent role in building and integrating automated platforms to connect the wider industry, with a core focus on global client program optimization. 

In his role as Synergy's Head of Technology, Lance has led the development of the industry's first ever live global booking platform with the intention of giving customers instant access to Synergy's vetted supplier partners worldwide. In addition, Lance spearheads the development of automated solutions to enhance guest experience, duty of care and data protection.