A commercial director moves into the top job
The Wildbirch Hotel has named Carissa Giliam its general manager. The property announced the appointment on 21 October 2026. Giliam joined the hotel as director of sales and commercial affairs in August 2025. She ran its commercial strategy through its first full year of operation, then held the interim general manager role. The appointment is now permanent.
Her remit covers hotel operations, guest experience, commercial strategy, food and beverage, and team development. The post carries sales, revenue and outlet performance together.
The property she runs
The Wildbirch Hotel is the first upscale boutique hotel in Anchorage and Alaska's first JdV by Hyatt property. It holds 252 rooms in downtown's Mushing District. The hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty programme.
Three outlets sit in the building: Crimson, Canteen and The Undertap. The hotel's meetings page names the Yukon River Conference Room and the Kenai River Ballroom as its two bookable spaces. Guest rooms look out on Cook Inlet, the Chugach Mountains and Denali.
Her record before this post
Giliam was general manager of the Hilton Anchorage and opening general manager of the Aloft Anchorage. She spent a year as director of hospitality and visitor experience at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the institution that partners with the hotel. Her career includes nearly five years as general manager of Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown, and years of hotel taskforce work.
She grew up in her family's locally owned hotel company, Aspen Hotels. The release puts her experience at nearly two decades across hotel operations, sales and guest experience.
Two board seats in Anchorage
Giliam sits on the board of Visit Anchorage and on the board of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership. She holds both seats while running the hotel.
What the notice leaves open
The notice states no effective date, no reporting line, no team size and no commercial targets for the hotel. It names no predecessor.