Out of all the places I've lived – Washington D.C., New York, London – The Woodlands is my favorite place to call home. There’s something special about living here, in this little enclave of beauty. It has everything I need: live music, a vibrant arts scene, a close-knit community, an excellent school district, and of course, abundant nature and wildlife.
I’d always wanted to live somewhere surrounded by natural beauty, but assumed I'd have to wait until retirement. I didn’t think there was a place where I could have easy access to nature, continue my career, and still enjoy the things I loved about living in a big city: art, shopping, live music, delicious food. Then, I found The Woodlands.
Before we moved here, my son and I would visit to see my parents and sisters in The Woodlands. In 2021, we decided to join them and “temporarily” stay in my parents’ casita to be closer to family. During our stay, I called an old friend and couldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was to live in this beautiful place. He asked me, “Kelly, if you’re enjoying it that much out there, why haven’t you thought about making it permanent?”.
It was a good question. We’d always loved visiting, and my son had asked me about moving here while we were in D.C. So, I decided to see if there were any opportunities for me career-wise. Turns out, The Woodlands Hotels had just posted a position for three joint marketing positions. I applied just to see what might happen...and within an hour, I got a call from the Senior VP asking to schedule an interview.
Kelly McCourt, Director of Marketing for The Woodlands Hotels
Now, almost three years later, I start my day running under the trees in my neighborhood before going in to work as Director of Marketing for The Woodlands Hotels. The nature I see from my office inspires me as I manage various aspects that touch the guest experience at The Embassy Suites, The Woodlands Resort, The Westin at The Woodlands and their respective restaurants. My son and I see deer almost every day, and we watch birds migrate through the greenbelt behind our house.
At the same time, we get to enjoy a vibrant community filled with art, shopping, dining, and music. I love having a world class music venue so close to us. We can leave the house, park, and be in our seats at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in under 20 minutes. It’s amazing!
To top it all off, The Woodlands has an incredible community. Living here feels like stepping back to that idyllic hometown that you wish you could find, where everyone knows each other and supports each other. We’re all proud to work here and live here, and we collaborate and work together, because we love The Woodlands. It’s home.
- Kelly McCourt
