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Malisse Sinito ‘88 is a 2023 Crain’s Woman of Note, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵtrustee and the woman behind some of Cleveland’s most notable fine dining experiences.

When Crain’s Cleveland Business showcases the wisdom of its class this week, Malisse Sinito ’88 will have a seat at the table. 

The Sept. 21 event is billed as “a candid conversation on some of the top issues facing our region” with “the women who are leading our region.”

As owner of , Sinito has plenty to contribute to the dialogue. Her real estate and restaurant portfolio features such enduring and distinctive fine dining experiences as , and , Cleveland’s number one restaurant according to Trip Advisor.

Savour Hospitality is also the management company behind the a busy city center hotel complex, as well as owner/manager of , a state-of-the-art gym and day spa located at Key Tower.

Thriving under pressure

In a notoriously challenging business — even before the daunting difficulties that came with the COVID-19 pandemic — Sinito has thrived in the heat of the kitchen since she was 12, working in a Parma Heights, Ohio, pizza joint.

She launched LockKeepers just a few years out of college with her husband, Frank.

“It’s not what I went to college for, but I always had that business entrepreneurial spirit,” she explains. “The part that I still love about my job even today is that it is the opposite of mundane. The business is multi-faceted, and I touch on so many different topics. It’s constantly evolving and changing.”

Broad ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵfoundation

While hospitality management wasn’t yet a major at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵwhen Sinito attended, she says her studies in organizational communications, political science and a broad range of core courses gave her the foundation she needed for success, especially building the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to respond to change and challenge.

“What class didn’t I take?” she recalls of her time as an undergrad. “I remember the rich classes in English and learning to put my thoughts on paper; political science engaged me in debate and persuasion. It was all beneficial from accounting and economics to African history and philosophy.” 

Putting people first

Today, Sinito puts people at the center of her business philosophy. She regularly interacts with her patrons to make sure she lives up to the mantra, “Treat all guests as if they were coming into your home.”

She also hires and empowers great people to work her properties.

“You have to have solid teams, and you have to be surrounded by like-minded people who share your passion,” Sinito elaborates. “We all have that same drive to continue to improve. We’re always asking, ‘What can we do better tomorrow?’”

Sinito is already hard at work cooking up her next high-concept dining experience, , which will be located in the world’s largest bank hall at the former Union Trust Building.

Active alumna

With all that is on her plate, Sinito finds time to give back to her alma mater, serving on the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵBoard of Trustees.

Sinito also continues to offer many ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵstudents the opportunity to work and intern in her businesses. She even partnered with students in BW’s Digital Marketing Center to develop social media marketing content leading up to the launch of Marble Room, a sumptuous steak and raw bar in Cleveland’s historic Garfield Building.

To find out more about Savour Hospitality Group, visit . Find out more about this week's Women of Note event at .