# Patrick Cowell

> Patrick Cowell is a San Mateo-based business advisor with a career spanning hospitality, aviation, and retail. He is listed as an advisor to Workday’s CEO and as a senior advisor at KKR, following leadership roles at Hyatt, Sun International, Airport Group International, and the Williams-Sonoma brand.

- **Role:** Advisor to CEO at Workday; Senior Advisor at KKR
- **Organizations:** Workday, KKR, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Sun International / Kerzner International, Airport Group International, Williams-Sonoma, Cowell Development
- **Education:** East Tennessee State University, MBA, Business Administration and Management, California Coast University
- **Known for:** Led the Williams-Sonoma brand as president., Led Airport Group International as president and CEO., Held divisional leadership at Hyatt following a career of more than two decades with the company.

## Career timeline

- **1972-1994** — Worked at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, including Hawaii resort management and Western Division leadership; corporate filings date the Hyatt tenure from 1972, while professional directories give December 1971.
- **1988** — Photographed at the opening of Hyatt Regency Waikoloa as regional vice president, Hyatt Hawaii.
- **1993-1994** — Divisional vice president of Hyatt’s Western Division.
- **1994-1996** — President, Americas and Caribbean, Sun International Hotels and Resorts.
- **1996-1999** — President and CEO of Airport Group International.
- **1999** — President of Cowell Development, according to Williams-Sonoma corporate filings.
- **2002-2005** — President of the Williams-Sonoma brand; employment agreement effective March 4, 2002; professional directories list an end in 2005.
- **2010** — Began senior advisory work at KKR, according to professional directories; KKR’s current advisor directory confirms the role.
- **2014** — Began serving as advisor to Workday’s CEO, according to professional directories.

## Achievements

- Led the Williams-Sonoma brand as president.
- Led Airport Group International as president and CEO.
- Held divisional leadership at Hyatt following a career of more than two decades with the company.
- Served as president of Sun International’s Americas and Caribbean business.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-cowell-9111b432

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/patrick-cowell
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21