# Sean Taggart

> Sean Taggart is a Toronto-based marketing executive whose career has moved from customer data and loyalty at IBM and Fairmont to brand transformation in senior living and residential real estate. In 2026 he joined Great Gulf Group as chief marketing officer, bringing a career-long interest in hospitality, placemaking, customer experience and the choices that make people return.

- **Role:** Chief Marketing Officer at Great Gulf Group
- **Organizations:** Great Gulf Group, Empire Homes, Willowdale Asset Management, Summit Commercial Strategy, Amica Senior Lifestyles, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, IBM Canada, Canadian Marketing Association
- **Education:** Global Executive MBA; Fuqua Scholar, Duke University, Fuqua School of Business, Bachelor's degree in Statistical Science, University of Western Ontario, Certificate in Professional Achievement in Sales & Marketing, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
- **Known for:** Graduated from Duke's Global Executive MBA program as a Fuqua Scholar, a distinction for the top tier of the class., Held global marketing responsibility at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International across three brands, 115 hotels and 26 residential properties in 34 countries., Developed Fairmont's guest loyalty program and led digital initiatives designed to expand markets and improve the guest experience.

## Career timeline

- **1995-2001** — Worked in database and integrated marketing at IBM Canada, including senior leadership of a marketing team.
- **2001-2017** — Spent 16 years at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, progressing from direct and database marketing to Senior Vice President, Marketing and Interim Chief Marketing Officer.
- **2004** — Named Executive Director, Marketing Services at Fairmont, responsible for direct marketing, guest data, relationship marketing and partnerships.
- **2011-2017** — Served on the board of the Canadian Marketing Association.
- **2013** — Graduated from Duke University's Global Executive MBA program as a Fuqua Scholar.
- **2017-2021** — Served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Amica Senior Lifestyles, leading rebranding, capability growth, digital transformation and customer-experience work.
- **2022-2023** — Worked as Principal at Summit Commercial Strategy.
- **2023-2026** — Joined Empire Communities as its first Chief Marketing Officer and helped lead its transition to the Empire Homes brand.
- **2024-2026** — Held group-level marketing responsibility connected to Willowdale Asset Management and its real estate portfolio.
- **2026** — Joined Great Gulf Group as Chief Marketing Officer.

## Achievements

- Graduated from Duke's Global Executive MBA program as a Fuqua Scholar, a distinction for the top tier of the class.
- Held global marketing responsibility at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International across three brands, 115 hotels and 26 residential properties in 34 countries.
- Developed Fairmont's guest loyalty program and led digital initiatives designed to expand markets and improve the guest experience.
- Led Amica Senior Lifestyles' rebranding and the expansion of its marketing and sales capabilities after an acquisition.
- Was appointed Empire Communities' first Chief Marketing Officer in 2023.
- Helped lead the 2025 rebrand from Empire Communities to Empire Homes, including a redesigned website and customer journey.
- Served on the Canadian Marketing Association board.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Announced that he had joined Great Gulf Group as Chief Marketing Officer.
- **2025-12** — Published a personal LinkedIn essay connecting travel, adventure and cross-cultural experience to his approach to leadership.
- **2025-07** — Helped present Empire Homes' new name, unified brand strategy, redesigned website and customer journey.

## Links

- Website: https://greatgulf.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanstaggart

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sean-taggart
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-24