Inspiring Women in Hospitality

🎙 On this episode we hear from Fay. She is from Hong Kong and she is in the business of creative place making. Born out of her own search of identity and now offering the opportunity to others to search and develop a sense of belonging in the city. She has had several career pivots and now she has embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. Her career turning points were influenced by moments when she doubted her connection to work and was out of alignment to meaning and purpose. Each career pivot was an experiment to figure out who I am and what I am meant to do in this world.What can you reach out to Fay for?: 🏔️ For collaboration on all the exciting creative place making projects. 🏔️ Topics around well-being and health are a passion of hers too. 🤩 Who inspires Fay?: Anyone who are authentically themselves really inspire me. They have this quiet confidence, level of peacefulness and at ease with themselves.

🎙 On this special podcast episode, which was recorded live at the launch event hosted at the Amadeus offices in Bangkok on the 27th of January 2026 ,Founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality Naureen Ahmed shared with the attended what they can expect from the upcoming workshop - Inspire Influence Live in Bangkok at the 137 Pillars Suites & Residences on the 17th of March 2026.Naureen shared the three areas that will be focused on the day:⛰️ Confidence⛰️ Empowerment⛰️ Art of courageous conversationsEach section will start with a panel discussion for inspiration and what a powerhouse of women have been lined up for this. 💚 We also recorded a very special fireside chat with Khun Panawan from Amadeus who shared with influence means to her and who were her inspirations.📣 Be sure to register your interest here and Save the Date: subscribepage.io/J7DjwD🤗 This launch event was just a taster of what we will experience together on the 17 March at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences. It is important to note that this is a closed event, no media or press will be attending, so it allows for full openness and creates a safe space for exchange and professional development. There are no sponsors, to allow for neutrality and openness, anyone can attend by purchasing a ticket. 👉 Tickets are now available and you can secure your place here: subscribepage.io/2wQERn

On this episode we hear from Leora. She is a hospitality marketing professional and has released a book from her years of experience, both in corporate, as a consultant and professor. We spoke about the importance of networking, reframing it to build connections and sometimes even turn them into genuine friendships in the industry. She shares her moments of imposter syndrome and what she said to herself at the time. If she does not take the role someone else with, so lets go for it and create it on my own. She is also an advocate for taking breaks in your career and it could actually be healthy for you. And choosing when to say yes or when to say no, with a focus on your wellbeing. She has recently written a book and you can find it here: https://leoralanz.com/Who is her inspiration? Her students

In the latest episode of the Inspiring Women in Hospitality podcast, host Naureen Ahmed engages with industry experts to explore the multifaceted concept of success in the workplace. With unique perspectives from seasoned professionals, this discussion sheds light on how success is not merely defined by titles or positions but rather by personal fulfillment and impact.The insights shared by Naureen, Janet, Salomé, and Alessandra offer a rich tapestry of thoughts on success in the workplace. Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept; it is a personal journey defined by individual values, strengths, and the impact one has on others. By cultivating self-awareness, embracing failure, and celebrating strengths, women can navigate their careers with confidence and purpose.

🎙 On this special reflective episode. I invited Ambika Gandhi back to the podcast, after she was a guest for the first time 3.5years ago. We reflected on how we have both grown as entrepreneurs, how we found our value and impact we want to make. We talked about how we have worked well together as being Ambika's coach, I am so proud of the growth I have seen in here during our time together. Shei s also a Founding Member of the Inspire Community and she describes her experience of it as 'spirit of commonality.'

🎙 On this episode we hear from Samantha. Vice President of Hospitality of AppleOne Group, in the Philippines and proud to be representing the second generation of the family business. She shares how three H's of her life have shaped her: hospitality, heart, humility. This is centred around the family's vision to uplift the lives of the communities within which they operate and bring out the best of the Philippines. What was very refreshing to hear was her perspective on how to handle rejections. She used each experience as an opportunity to explore, learn with humility and build her resilience. She took each rejection as inspiration that something else was meant for her.What can you reach out to her for?⛰️ She is ready to mentor the next generation of hoteliers⛰️ Or if you are going through a quarter life crisis, she can help you through it⛰️ And supporting women who want to know their whyWho inspires her? Her parents, Cleofe Albiso from Megaworld and Mariana Zobel de Ayala from Ayala Land Hospitality

🎙 On this episode we hear from Ying Ying. She describes herself as the kind of person who gravitates towards challenges. She has worked across different industries across government, private sector, startup and now is looking after a portfolio of 500 hotels in Greater China, She studied economics at uni, later in her hospitality career she found herself in HR and now managing a brand portfolio. She attributes many of the turning points of her career to mentors and sponsors, who all saw something in her and knew that she was going to go far. Equally important was having the courage to ask questions. Another key turning point she highlighted was moving to Shanghai from Singapore with her family. She describes this experience as "embarking on the university of life" and at this point it was important they made a decision for her career as a family unit.What can you reach out to Ying Ying for?: Mentoring conversation about a new challenge when you are at a cross roads.Who inspires Ying Ying?: Little acts of kindness and her Dad.

On this episode we hear from Rin. She started her career as an auditor, and it was when she was auditing the Holiday Inn Silom that she was drawn into the hospitality industry. After pursuing her masters degree she started with Thai conglomerate owners of hotels , then consulting and then with hotel brands, first in corporate finance before moving into development. Moving into development was an important career point that Rin highlighted, where she had to take a deeper look, step out of her comfort zone and break her own barriers. She ended up making a pitch to position herself for this role and convinced the hiring manager at the time that she was the right person for the role, and did not allow that this was a pre-dominantly male dominated environment to stop her. At her core she believes in acting in the best interest of all parties involves, because when they win, she wins too with heart and soul.What can you reach out to Rin for? When you need inspiration on how to break your own barriers, reach out to Rin. Who inspires Rin?Bill Barnett and Serena Lim

Time to turn the spotlight on me for the upcoming Inspire Influence Live in London on the 7th of November. Who has spent the last three years becoming a woman of influence.👉 Find out more here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/eventsOver the past few weeks I have been highlighting stories of the women who will be facilitators running the workshop on 'How to pitch a business case' and I am so grateful to each woman who put their trust in me. tagBut what I have forgotten to highlight, is that on the 7th of November, you also get to spend the day with me. Yes I will be guiding you through the day and running a masterclass on self-advocacy. So time for me to set an example and advocate for myself.Why should you spend the day with me?⛰️ I create safe spaces for honest and real conversations⛰️ Where you can be authentically yourself⛰️ I lead inspiring conversations on topics that we should be speaking on to impact our performance in the workplace⛰️ I have also spent time in corporate and grown my own career.⛰️ I have taken the brave step to turn my passion into a business, and will inspire you to take action to go after your own success.👋 To the men seeing this, sorry woman only this time, but you are not forgotten. I will create spaces for you too and the meantime you can support the women in your network by sending them to spend the day with me.Register your interest here: https://subscribepage.io/RXANly🙋‍♀️ And you get to spend the day with me!

Get to know Debbie Flynn, facilitator at the upcoming Inspire Influence Live in London on the 7th of November. Who says that 'influence is everywhere and everything'👉 Find out more here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/eventsThis is what Debbie had to say about influence: ⛰️ It is about relatability and the trust you can build through it⛰️ Influence can create happinessDebbie is the OG "influencer" as a PR practitioner and I would like to give a shout out to the women who made the connection possible: Sarah Wilson and Anita Mendiratta.Listen to our full conversation here and get to know Debbie's experiences, that she will be bringing with her to the tableRegister your interest here: https://subscribepage.io/RXANly🙋‍♀️ And you might be lucky to get her on your table as your facilitator.

On this episode we hear from Woon. And I love how she introduced herself as a "respectful rebel and from then on out, it was as if our lives mirrored each others throughout the rest of the conversation. The thread in her career has been to "consistently try to stop the death of good ideas". She shared an interesting insight on how we view experiences as the backbone of our industry with both fascinates her and frustrates her. She likens her approach to finding the right role to match her, like that of a marriage and to be prepared to accept the warts and the joys of the job. Knowing what is important to her has allowed her to say 'No' with more confidence.Woon also spoke passionately about the challenges of being an Asian female in middle management and what kind of 'sandwich' it is these days. Woon talked about the lack of managing upwards, putting pressure on your teams as a result and then conflict avoidance.You can reach out to Woon to talk about:⛰️ What is it like to be an Asian female manager⛰️ How to drive change and innovation in a way that doesn’t burn bridges❤️ Who inspired Woon: Her maternal grandmother

Get to know Marion Schonkeren, facilitator at the upcoming Inspire Influence Live in London on the 7th of November. Who says that 'every person has the power to influence'👉 Find out more here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/eventsThis is what Marion had to say about influence: Let us make influence a word that is approachable as she believes that every single person has the power to influence. Most importantly it to stay true to yourself and your values, use your voice, raise people up and everyone can participate in influence.Listen to our full conversation here and get to know Marion's experiences, that she will be bringing with her to the tableRegister your interest here: https://subscribepage.io/RXANly🙋‍♀️ And you might be lucky to get her on your table as your facilitator.

Erika shares how influence is about trust and relationship.Find out more about Inspire Influence Live London here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/events

What was suppose to be a 5 minute conversation, became a 25 minute one. That is how important influence is to Laura.Get to know Laura Brinkmann, facilitator at the upcoming Inspire Influence Live in London on the 7th of November.With 20 years of professional experience in the investment and asset management in hospitality.She has like many women found herself as the only woman in the room, but she did have one great example to share from her time at Brookfield as a board director at a boardroom table with both women and men. This is when she felt'we are making a difference.'Laurashares stories of what she calls both proactive and reactive influence from hercareer. How being naïve and curious early on in your career is your path to influence. And how working together collectively you can influence thematernity policy. Find out more here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/events Register your interest here: https://subscribepage.io/RXANly

Introducing Jane Lees, facilitator at the upcoming Inspire Influence Live in London on the 7th of November.With a career in operating real estate valuation in both Hong Kong and the UK, Jane not only is a well recognised and respected professional in our industry, but someone whowill always invest in her team. Every person who has had the privilege to work with her has said the same thing.And on the 7th of November, you might be that lucky person who gets a seat at her table and learn from her career.Find out more here: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/eventsRegister your interest here: https://subscribepage.io/RXANly

On this episode we hear from Delnaz. And at her core she describes herself as someone who is drawn to the idea of creating experiences that people remember. This isalso how she chose hospitality because she wanted to be part od an industry that is about creating things for people that stay with them emotionally, rather than selling a product. In the past five year within the same organisation she has been able to move her role several times. It was not easy finding a role during covid, but what was important to her was to get her footin the door, say yes and then once in get noticed and ask for theopportunities. Even if it is daunting, ask.

From podcast to community to global movement — Inspire has been a journey I never could have predicted when I first hit record five years ago.In this special episode, I reflect on how it all began: the conversations that shaped the Inspiring Women in Hospitalitypodcast, the small roundtables that sparked bigger ideas, and how it grew into a worldwide network of women supporting each other.It’s a story of growth, connection, and the belief that together, we can change the face of leadership in our industry.Check out the website for more details: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/

On 7 November 2025, we’ll be gathering in Londonfor the inaugural Inspire Influence Live — a fully immersive one-day workshop designed to equip women in hospitality with the skills, confidence, and influence to make a real impact.With guidance from an incredible advisory board and inspiring facilitators, this closed-door event will give you the chance to:⛰️ Build and pitch a business case with live feedback⛰️ Practise self-advocacy through role-play in a safe space ⛰️ Connect across generations, roles, and companies ⛰️ Be mentored by influential leaders in our industrySeats are limited to keep it intimate and impactful — secure your spot today!🌍 And if this goes well, we’ll be bringing it to more cities in 2026.👉Learn more & book your place: https://www.inspiringwomeninhospitality.com/events

On this episode we hear from Iana. Having started her career in education, she then decided to transition to becoming an entrepreneur and training soft skills and English language skills in hospitality based out of Cambodia through herdigital learning start-up LX Labs. She really believes that it is through training that you can have an impact on someone's career. She is on a mission to multiply this impact by making it accessible through all.You can contact her via LI or email for discovery calls about LX Labs or for women who want to start their own business. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iana-galai/Email: iana_galai@lxlabs.org Her inspiration are the young generation, the energy they bring, willing to grow and how fast they learn.

Guest: Sucheta RawalOn this episode we hear from Sucheta. A multi-passionate in food and travel. She is a writer, founder of a non-profit to travel sustainably and a speaker. But she started her career more traditionally as an investment banker in the US,before she transitioned into what she loves doing today. It was a journey of discovery and identifying the values of her life and leaning fully into them. It was when she was sharing about her inspiration, her grandmother, was whenshe was exposed to travel and how they can be 'windows to the world'. Sign up to Sucheta's substack here: https://suchetarawal.substack.com/p/the-pr-relationship-rollercoaster Connect with heron LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suchetarawal/ Her inspiration is her grandmother.