This International Women’s Day, four female General Managers from properties across Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio in the South East Asia and Pacific region share what it means to them to #EmbraceEquality in the hospitality industry.

At Radisson Hotel Group, we recognize that our people are our biggest asset. We are committed to achieving balanced leadership and having more Women in Leadership (WiL) with a goal to increase our female representation in General Management positions and have renewed our WiL targets to reach 50% by 2030.

Why did you choose to embark on a career in hospitality industry?

Deborah Haines, Cluster General Manager of three of Radisson Hotel Group’s Sri Lankan Properties:
The hospitality industry is so dynamic and so diverse. Working with such an interesting group of people gives me an opportunity to experience diverse cultures in an array of locations. This makes for the perfect platform for personal growth and development.

Christina Dumaraos, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Philippines:
I knew from an early stage that I did not want to have a traditional office job. I wanted to be in a profession that would expose me to different kinds of people from a variety of beliefs, values, and cultures. I knew that by having this exposure, I would be able to see the world from a different perspective. Most importantly, I wanted a career that would allow me to connect with others and foster new relationships.

Miriam Wolber, General Manager of Radisson Brunei Darussalam:
I have chosen a career in hospitality because I love to work and communicate with different people from diverse backgrounds. Further, it provides me with a sense of fulfilment when I am able to provide people with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Ann Olalo, General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA:
I was very much inspired by my first job as a Guest Relations Officer in a resort. It exposed me to people of different backgrounds and also many varying scales of events. That experience spurred my interest in the industry and strengthened my confidence and people skills.

Why do you think the hospitality industry presents attractive career opportunities for women?

Haines: Your career is very much shaped by you and what you make of the different opportunities when they are presented. The hospitality industry is an interesting one where it presents many opportunities from the get go, and many different paths which you can take. This diverse industry provides endless opportunities, tremendous space for growth, and also flexibility to anyone who chooses it as a path.

Dumaraos: Coming from a background where a woman's career is considered secondary and family should be her priority, I am fortunate that this industry has provided me with the career I have today. This industry is fast-paced and requires one to constantly adapt. However, it also provides endless opportunities for growth and development. I am truly a product of the industry and I cannot be more thankful for the journey I’ve had so far.

Wolber: The hospitality industry presents numerous attractive careers for women as we get more equal and diverse opportunities in leadership positions. It is truly about what we are able to achieve and less about our gender.

Olalo: Over time, female leaders have made their mark in the industry, paving the way for future generations. I believe women are qualified to take roles across the hospitality spectrum. Women have natural and unique qualities in this business of serving people – caring, empathetic, detail-oriented and multi-taskers.

Thinking about your own career journey, have you been inspired by, or mentored by women along the way?

Haines: I was mentored by Trudy Ratio, a female industry leader, who has shaped my journey. I crossed paths with her back in Business School in Budapest, and she was a guest speaker whose inspirational speech drove me to enter the industry. After meeting her, I reached out to her once I returned to Moscow, which was the start of our relationship.

However, it is also important for us to have mentors of both genders as this give us a different perspective and the ability to grow more in an all-rounded manner.

Dumaraos: Everyone that I cross paths with inspires me, and this industry makes sure I do get to meet a lot of people. I see every interaction as a learning opportunity - whether good or the bad.

Wolber: I was particularly inspired by a female general manager that I worked with during my time at Radisson Blu Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. She was the first female general manager that I worked with and her dedication and leadership style really inspired me. It has also shaped my leadership style.

Olalo: Early on in my career, I reported to various senior leaders who were all women and took inspiration from them. I am grateful to be where I am today and to be in a position where I can motivate the next generation of women--leading by example and striving to make a difference.

What more do you think can be done to make the hospitality industry attractive for women – now and in the future?

Haines: It is important to share more success stories within the industry. We have slowly seen more female leaders breaking the glass ceiling over time, but their successes are often not recognised enough. Sharing their stories will make women wanting to enter the industry more aware of the accessibility of the industry. Through the stories they will be inspired to forge their own paths in the industry. No two people have the same path to the top, hence, it is important to celebrate everyone’s growth

Dumaraos: Making the industry attractive should be about having a continuous dialogue on equity for both genders and creating balance. It is about creating an inclusive environment where it is no longer about gender but about each individual's strengths.

Wolber: To make hospitality more attractive for women, female leaders need to encourage more women who want to embark on their careers in this industry. By sharing our success stories and our journey, we can highlight the challenges and struggles that we faced and teach others how to overcome them.

Olalo: I feel that there is still much room for more representation of women in leadership positions. We are definitely moving forward but let’s push for greater diversity, more representation, and gender equity.

What would you say to someone looking to embark on a career in hospitality?

Haines: Believe in yourself! My journey was not what I would have imagined. From the United Kingdom to Bulgaria to Russia to Thailand to Uzbekistan and now Sri Lanka. I would have not imagined being where I am today. The possibilities are endless in this industry, and I am glad to be able to be recognised for my efforts and achievements.

Dumaraos: Find your purpose and your passion. The hospitality industry is unlike others, offering opportunities and mobility across roles, and countries. However, just like any other industry, you will need to embrace it for its entirety – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Wolber: There is no limit to what women can achieve. Anything is possible as long as we believe in ourselves and have confidence in all that we do. This is especially true for women wanting to forge their careers in the hospitality industry.

Olalo: You need to have passion and grit to work in hospitality, no matter your gender. When you have both and the going gets tough, you will stay the course.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Haines: Well, as for many of us, the last five years have not gone according to plan. Personally, these years have been about being adaptable while staying true to who I am. It is important to push forward and not give up when you are faced with a challenge. I hope to continue having a passion for what I do.

Dumaraos: In 5 years, I hope to still be a student of life - learning as much as I can from all those around me.

Wolber: I see myself continuing to hone my skills and grow as a leader in the industry. I want to lead by example and be a mentor to offer guidance to women who have the goal to become a leader/general manager in this industry.

Olalo: Still doing my part and pushing for more gender equity within the industry and doing my part to help Radisson Hotel Group in terms of empowering female leaders. 

About the women of RHG

Deborah Haines
District Director
Cluster General Manager for Radisson Blu Resort Galle, Radisson Hotel Kandy and Radisson Hotel Colombo

Deborah is an experienced and passionate hotelier with over 30 years of experience across brands. She is a dynamic individual who drives results through sharing the vision whilst building resilient teams. Deborah brings with her an extensive range of skillsets including hotel operations, asset management, stakeholder management, and strategy development. She is focused on creating value for stakeholders while accelerating growth focused on brand and structure.

Ann Olalo
General Manager
Park Inn by Radisson Clark

With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ann is a seasoned hotelier. She is no stranger to Radisson Hotel Group with more than 9 years in Radisson Blu and Park Inn from 2012 till now. Before moving to Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, she was the General Manager of Park Inn by Radisson Clark. During her time there, the hotel achieved excellent guest recognition. Ann is married with 3 children, and she enjoys reading & gardening in her free time.

Christina Dumaraos
General Manager
Park Inn by Radisson

Christina is well-acquainted with the hospitality industry with over two decades of experience. She has extensive work experience in the Philippines, in Cebu, Manila, and Pampanga. She has also worked in Switzerland and Hawaii. Before joining Radisson Hotels Group, Christina was the Director of Operations of Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Pampanga in the Philippines. Christina enjoys spending her free time with her 2 children, boxing once a week and reading. Christina is an alumnus of Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland.

Miriam Wolber
General Manager
Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam

Miriam began her journey in hospitality close to 30 years ago upon graduating from Hotel Management School. She has extensive experience working across international hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton. Her first foray with Radisson Hotel Group was where she held the Food and Beverage Manager position at Radisson Blu Fujairah. In her sixth year with the company, she has worked in an array of properties across the region and is currently the General Manager of Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam.