What position are you holding at the moment?

Learning and Development Manager, Green Belt

What did you do after you finish your program?
(Career Path/First Position):

Assistant Executive Housekeeper at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh

What was your goal when you started the program?

As every young and bold, new hotel school graduate  - goal was to be The General Manager of some fabulous, award winning beach resort in the Caribbean! Then the plan evolved – very rapidly. Overall, the goal always was to work in the industry that enables us to travel and meet so many passionate and interesting people for living. Surely there is no better industry to work for!

Did you change your goal towards the end of the program?

Long term no – I still wanted to (and continue to do so) work in hospitality, but career aspirations changed. After declaring during my first week as VF that I did not want to do Human Resources at all- I spent my last phase in HR and have now found my true calling in it! That is why the program compares well with the other similar programs out there – you are able to mature along the way…

What were the challenges that you faced during your program?

Challenges? Were there any? Few years have past since my VF days so it might be that my memory serves with the positive ones only. Sure there were some – but overall it was a time I would not change for anything.

Did the program go as you expected?

Yes it did – it really is about making your own future. Where you want go and what you want to do depends purely on your decisions, actions, performance and hard work. (Sounds a bit boring– but you know what I mean.)

Currently, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Director of HR at some fabulous, award winning beach resort! I’m flexible though – doesn’t need to be the Caribbean.

What are the benefits for being VF Alumnus?

Networking, and working in HR it is a great way to see what the future talent is out there. It is also about developing yourself and sharing best practices across the properties and regions.

What were highlights of your career with Starwood?

What a question! Wow – how long do we have? Meeting passionate, intelligent, dedicated and fun people, making friends for life and seeing Starwood evolve as a company along the way. It has been exciting to see how building Starwood brands has evolved, the new brands being launched. Highlights have been and continue to be seeing people grow and develop – it is greatly motivating to see people move on their careers and being able to maybe aid them on that journey.