As a woman working in hospitality, what does International Women’s Day mean to you?
As a woman working in Hospitality, particularly in a male dominated environment such as Private Members Clubs, I want to make a difference, leave a legacy, inspire other women not to feel intimidated and embrace Senior and/or Executive roles without having to feel demotivated or having to face setbacks from the challenges raised. Hence, the International Women’s Day for me is an amazing milestone where women are finally globally recognised for their hard work, commitment, passion without regard to categories.
This day is a chance to pause and reflect on both the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to strengthen equality in the industry while building a more inclusive, equal, and supportive industry for all of us.
In my view, International Women’s Day is a way to raise awareness and encourage conversations about how the industry can support and empower us moving forward. But also, a day to celebrate female role models and motivate the next generation to follow their passions no matter what industry they aspire to follow.
You are the first Certified Club Manager (CCM) woman in Italy to gain the award and the fourth CCM woman in Europe. Tell us a little more about what this means, a little about yourself and your hospitality career to date?
Being truly passionate about my job and the industry I am in, earning the CCM was a journey I really wanted to embark: a challenge to my personal and professional growth which I wanted to overcome!
When I first heard about the CCM qualification and what it globally represented, I was fascinated about what it could have meant for me and my female peers; not many women in Europe and sadly none in my native country accomplished it, therefore it inspired me “even more” to work harder and achieve it.
What the CCM really means to me is breaking stereotypes and inspiring other women to pursue Executive leadership roles in Club Management. I wanted to demonstrate that we “women” can also excel in a traditionally male-dominated field.
I come from a humble background but have always been ambitious from an early age. I originally decided to relocate to the UK to learn the language as I couldn’t speak a word of English, and if I wanted to pursue a successful career in Hospitality, I knew I had to take the risk to leave my own country and have a full immersion experience in a foreigner country for me to fully absorb both culture and language.
I started my path experiencing different jobs such as waitress, babysitter, receptionist during my studies and gained experience while working my way up through various roles. I learned the ropes of restaurants, hotels and clubs’ operations while managing teams and building a network of professional contacts.
Throughout my career, I have embraced continuous learning, attending workshops and conferences, which helped enhance my skill set. I have faced challenges on a personal level too, especially as a woman in an industry often dominated by men. However, my determination, positive attitude and mindset made me navigate those challenges and break down barriers, as well as develop strong resilience and leadership skills.
Thus, becoming the first Certified Club Manager (CCM) woman in Italy and the fourth in Europe was an outstanding achievement for me.
Do you feel that the industry has changed for the better as far as women’s equality is concerned?
Over the recent years, I can certainly say that there has been progress in terms of women’s equality in the industry, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
More women are now stepping into leadership roles in hospitality, including Club Management, and many hospitality companies are making diversity and inclusion a priority and highlighting female role models.
Companies are providing more work opportunities and professional development programmes designed to support our career growth. Nevertheless, we still have challenges. Women still face gender stereotypes and are often expected to take on roles associated with care, communication, or “soft” skills. Regrettably, gender bias in hiring and evaluation still exists in some parts of the industry, hence, we find ourselves having to work harder to prove our worth. Not to forget that despite increased focus on gender equality, there is still evidence of pay gaps; women may not always receive the same compensation for equivalent roles, which is a challenge that still needs to be addressed.
I believe that we need to be optimistic about the future: more women are challenging traditional norms, but we need to keep focusing on breaking stereotypes and offering equal opportunities for advancement.
You were a judge at last week’s Restaurant Manager of the Year competition. Can you tell us a bit more about how it went?
When I was invited to be a judge for Restaurant Manager of the Year, it was an absolute pleasure for me to say yes! As it was my first time as a judge, I was impressed by how the event was run and the effort that the IoH team put into ensuring they delivered an excellent day for the contestants, judges, and guests. It was refreshing and uplifting to see how many young managers made it to the semifinal, and the high level of preparation all contestants have shown.
Their knowledge, dedication and passion for the industry were simply inspiring, as they are the ones leaving an impact and shaping the future of this industry.
The winner, Alana Quigley and runner-up up Josha Oliver Ndrmbita both stood out from the beginning with their positive, collected, and confident personalities as well as their outstanding qualities and responses to the tasks given.
What a great day for networking, and in such a prestigious location, the beautiful Hotel Café Royal, with an amazing selection of canapés and drinks. Meeting the other judges – highly skilled professionals from the industry was an absolute pleasure.
What advice would you give to young women starting in our industry?
Oh, where should I start?!
There is so much to say, but I will try to keep it concise.
The main key elements I would certainly advise to young women to help them navigate challenges and build a successful career are:
You have recently become a Fellow. What made you say #imin, to the Institute of Hospitality?
At the start of my path in Club Management, my previous Club Secretary Mr De Souza saw how passionate I was, and recommended me to join the IoH as it could have been beneficial for my career.
One of the reasons behind my decision to follow his advice was my strong commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. The Institute of Hospitality is known for offering valuable resources and industry insights, moreover, helping professionals stay at the forefront of the industry and strengthen networking while encouraging continuous improvement.
Becoming a Fellow now gives me more opportunities to contribute to the industry’s evolution, whether through leadership and /or advocating for industry innovation.
In essence, my decision to join the IoH came from a desire to continue learning, contribute meaningfully to the profession, and enhance my network.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
If I could go back in time, I would advise my younger self to follow the key elements I mentioned above (question n.5); at times, I personally struggled and wished that I had someone who could have directed or shown me a different and clearer perspective.
When young and inexperienced, particularly in a foreign country, it can be easy to doubt yourself or feel uncertain about taking bold steps, but those are the risks that led to my growth and opened new doors.
In summary, I would say:
” Speak up more, take risks and trust your instincts without overthinking”.
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