Lucia Penrod

Lucia Penrod serves as Co-Founder, Owner & CEO of Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, a $400 million hospitality brand that stretches from Saint Tropez to Saint Barth. The group operates 11 beach clubs, five resorts and hotels, residences, dining concepts, and pop-ups, established alongside her late husband Jack Penrod. Born and raised in Nicaragua, Lucia ventured to Miami in 1980 and dedicated four years to serve in the Diplomatic Corps, representing the interests of South Korea and Venezuela.

In 1984, Lucia joined Jack's team to manage the exclusive Jockey Club of Miami and subsequently became Project Manager and then PR Director for the launch of Penrod's Beach Club at 1 Ocean Drive. The couple married in 1995 and in 1998 launched the inaugural location of Nikki Beach, a concept born as a tribute to Jack's daughter Nicole who tragically passed away at age 18. Lucia assumed the role of CEO for the global brand in 2018.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Lucia actively participates in the Fabretto Foundation, committed to empowering impoverished Nicaraguan youth by breaking the cycle of poverty through educational, health, and nutritional programs. She also oversees Nikki Cares, a 501c3 non-profit charity dedicated to supporting local communities and ocean conservation.

Career history

• Diplomatic Corps representative for South Korea and Venezuela (1980–1984)
• Manager of Jockey Club of Miami (1984)
• Project Manager and PR Director, Penrod's Beach Club at 1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach (1985–1998)
• Chief Marketing Officer, Nikki Beach Worldwide (2008–2018)
• CEO, Nikki Beach Hospitality Group (2018–present)

What Lucia Penrod could bring to her role as CEO at Nikki Beach Hospitality Group: Her three decades of hands-on hospitality experience—from diplomatic service to venue management to co-founding a global luxury brand—positions her to lead strategic expansion while maintaining the brand's core values of celebrating life and community impact. Her documented expertise in brand building, marketing, and philanthropic alignment demonstrates ability to scale operations internationally while preserving the emotional foundation that defines Nikki Beach's identity across its diverse global portfolio.