MEIA Regional Mentors

MEIA Regional Mentors

MEIA MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

R E G I O N A L M E N T O R S P R O F I L E JUNE 2022

MEET YOUR MENTOR

CHOON WAH WONG

Co-head, MEIA

I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE..

"There is nothing more satisfying than to know that you have played a part in helping your mentee achieved success in their career or life."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 4 Years Total Length of Service 22 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"There is nothing impossible to they who will try."

Real estate Investment Asset Management

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Investing the assets of the largest pension fund in the world

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

I had zero experience in hotel operations before I join Shangri-La My favourite sport is swimming, I enjoy cycling to the office and uses the journey time to do lots of thinking

MEET YOUR MENTOR

CHRIS MCFALL

Vice President, Sales (MEIIO) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I’m a maximiser, I love to listen and learn about people’s strengths, and to help them grow and overcome challenges"

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 5.5 Years Total Length of Service 25 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Business Development Strategic Thinking & Planning Leadership & Motivation

"Figure out what you enjoy doing, use your natural talents in your job, work hard - and you will be very happy and successful"

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Recent promotion to VP Sales MEIA Successful opening of Shangri-La Colombo Became Director of Sales when I was 28 years old

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

I have worked on 4 continents and 10 counties, and I have successfully opened 4 hotels I have 2 children; Maxwell (7YO) and Chloe (5YO) When I’m not working or with my family I love endurance sports, especially swim/bike/run

MEET YOUR MENTOR

DANIEL REID

AVP, GSO (Europe)

I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "It’s a great way to share experiences and gain new perspectives."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 2.5 years Total Length of Service 21 years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor." - Franklin D Roosevelt

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME Sales Business Development Relationship Building Team Culture

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Began my sales career at Coca-Cola, Moved to New York with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, leading a regional sales team at Hyatt

Dad to three young boys Coaches a kids football team Worked as a Ski Guide in the Alps

MEET YOUR MENTOR

DIRK-JAN RIJKS

Vice President, HR (MEIA) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE..

"It is part of my purpose in life; To develop others as unique talents through mentoring and coaching with an empathic style so that

people discover their own strengths and potential."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 5 Years Total Length of Service 25+ Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Mentoring & coaching (Strengths Finder & ICF coach) Learning & talent development Love to organize events & meetings with lots of moving parts

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

“To Travel Is To Live” - Hans Christian Andersen

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Part of pre-opening of flagship properties in Baku, Moscow, Amman, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Sharm El-Sheikh, Mumbai, Colombo, Jeddah. Proud to have developed and mentored quite a few direct reports into their next level roles Having lived in different countries in my career & experienced a diverse range of cultures & people

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

I have an amazing family that I love dearly I have a great passion for any sports I have a tattoo on my back that says “Shakti”

MEET YOUR MENTOR

ELENA MENDEZ

Vice President, F&B (Marketing) & Corp. Communcations, MEIA

I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE..

"What could be more exciting that the prospect of playing a role in shaping tomorrow’s leaders?"

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 4 Years Total Length of Service 27 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"Keep an open mind as it’s the only way new things can get in."

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME Brand Management Loyalty Communications Marketing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Got my first paycheck being a waitress in a ski resort in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Launched SPG’s first global F&B loyalty platform and programme aimed at non-stay guests. 23 years with Starwood in positions ranging from operations to sales to marketing and covering 5 different brands prior to joining Shangri-La.

Moved 13 times across 11 countries. Lived in hotels since the age of 6 months. Expert Multi-tasker - 3 babies in one year

MEET YOUR MENTOR

JONATHAN CAPLAN Vice President, Sales (EUNA) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "A few people guided the way for me, and I am a believer in

giving back to the next generation of leaders"

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 3.5 Years Total Length of Service 30 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"When is the last time you did something for the first time?"

Leadership, Team Building Sales Strategy Problem Solving

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Sales Leadership in hospitality brands across the Americas.

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

My first hotel job was a bartender I have two wonderful daughters My favorite food is pizza

MEET YOUR MENTOR

JOSS BRENON

Account Director, Global Sales - Luxury (London) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I would like to encourage and enable my colleagues’ professional or personal development, grow their skills, make better decisions, gain new perspectives on their life & career and learn from each other"

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 6 years Total Length of Service 17 years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

Don't dream your life, but live your dream.

Business Development Account Management Building Relationship Strategic Partnership

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

My amazing travels and experiences as a meeting and incentive planner in Australia and South Pacific My 3 years with Accor North Queensland My ongoing career journey with Shangri-La Group

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

Lived in Australia for 10 years Can do a handstand and a headstand I have a sweet tooth

MEET YOUR MENTOR

KAPIL AGGARWAL

Co-head, MEIA

I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE..

"Support development of our future leaders, and gain new perspectives & ideas from the mentees"

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE

Length of service with Shangri-La 9 Years

"A ship is safer in the harbor, but that’s not what its built for"

Total Length of Service 23 Years

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Risen through the ranks, challenged status quo with every career move. Held senior leadership roles in revenue management, sales & marketing and asset management across diverse

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Relationship Building Leadership Development Business Management

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

regions of Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and Americas

Worked across most, major hospitality markets globally. Educational background in physics, finance & law Avid swimmer

MEET YOUR MENTOR

KIM SARAH GRONENBERG Director, GSO (Frankfurt) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I believe that the most successful mentorships are the ones that are a two-way experience where both sides benefit and learn from each other"

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 11 Years Total Length of Service 20 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Sales in an on-property but also a Cluster- and a Global role Pre-Opening experience Team Building & Development of Teams

"You can´t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Pre-Opening as for e.g. SLTR & SLHT Private Jet Project at SLMD Growth of a successful Team at GSO Frankfurt

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

Love spending time with my dog Paula Have been living abroad with the group for about 8 years & have had the chance to see around 50 Shangri-La properties. started my career as a restaurant specialist

MEET YOUR MENTOR

NICOLAS HAUVESPRE Vice President, Marketing (MEIA) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I am passionate about building meaningful relationships, supporting others in achieving their goals and sharing experience along the way."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 3.5 Years Total Length of Service 18 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Consumer Brands & Hotel Marketing, Strategic thinking & Innovation, People & Culture

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"The best is yet to come!"

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Held Regional Marketing & Coms leadership roles for different luxury & lifestyle hospitality brand across Europe & Middle East Led Loyalty program across Europe, Middle East and Africa and helped shape the transition from SPG to Bonvoy Led Brand repositioning and built marketing capabilities for a privately-owned luxury hospitality company in North America

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

I have been fortunate enough to travel from a young age and now enjoy exploring new places with my family I have lived in 6 countries across Europe, North America and more recently in the Middle East I have 3 lovely daughters and am completely outnumbered at home

MEET YOUR MENTOR

OLIVIA CHRISTENSEN AVP, Corp. Communications (Europe) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I would like to become a Shangri-La mentor to be someone our team can turn to and talk openly with, and to ultimately help our colleagues achieve their dreams."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 3.5 Years Total Length of Service 12 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Communications Brand Partnerships Content Creation & Photo shoot direction Copywriting

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

Working on brand partnerships with fashion designers such as Burberry, Karl Lagerfeld and Dolce & Gabbana Taking our US press trip to Whistler Ice Caves in partnership with SLV – a once in a lifetime opportunity Creating and launching a one of a kind sensory bar experience in London – Out of the Blue at The Berkeley

Before moving to London, I worked for an NGO in Southern India managing humanitarian projects and survived a near fatal bus crash. I worked as a journalist and presenter in Buenos Aires, Argentina presenting at high goal polo tournaments and interviewing the players. I mountain biked the world’s most dangerous road – The Death Road in Bolivia… never again!

MEET YOUR MENTOR

SHERIF OMAR

Director, GSO (Dubai) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "Shape the leaders of tomorrow and change positively someone’s world."

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 3 Years Total Length of Service 20 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE Commercial and strategic selling. Development & planning. Negotiation skills.

"Action breeds more clarity than thoughts, we only learn, improve, and figure it out, by doing."

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

GTA – 4 Years, Business Development IHG – 10 Years - Key Account Director Kempinski – 3 Years, Director, Global Sales Shangri-La - 3 years, Director, Global Sales & Distribution

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

Lived in 3 Countries Travelled 120 Cities across 30 Countries Love Photography

MEET YOUR MENTOR

VICTORIA SUTTER

Account Director, GSO (London) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "To help people grow and share the lessons that have helped me pave my career path."

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 4 Years Total Length of Service 17 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

"A positive attitude will lead to positive outcomes."

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Corporate Sales Time management Project management Conflict management or solution based selling

12 years in sales, 17 in hospitality Relocated 4 times internationally Graduated from Swiss hospitality school after completing 3 years of operational training Hotel and global sales experience

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

Grew up in a bilingual household Foodie and champagne lover Book next trip as soon as I return from travel

MEET YOUR MENTOR

TRACY PARILLO

AVP, GSO (North America) I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE.. "I want to share my experiences and best practices with colleagues who are motivated to grow. I have been fortunate to have some great mentors who have helped me navigate challenging moments in my career; I want to give back."

EXPERIENCE Length of service with Shangri-La 7 Years Total Length of Service 24 Years AREAS OF EXPERTISE

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

"You’ve got this. Persevere through road blocks and try again."

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME All things sales Training Project Management Leadership

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Achieving my GLP designation(Global Leadership Professional)from GBTA Chosen to serve on task force of new hotel openings while at Denihan Hospitality (hotels in Chicago and Miami Beach) Leading our NYC GSO through the transition of our VP of Sales

I love just about any home improvement project (inside or out) and will teach myself to do anything from wallpaper to landscaping Friends tell me I am very good

at doing impressions and impersonations of others

I am very competitive at just about everything…but currently playing tennis on the weekends

MEET YOUR MENTOR

VIVEK BRAGANZA AVP, GSO, Mumbai I'D LIKE TO BE A MENTOR BECAUSE..

"Inspiring people, inspires me"

A LIFE LESSON THAT I LIVE BY

EXPERIENCE

Length of service with Shangri-La 5 Years

Satyameva Jayate – Sanskrit for “Truth alone triumphs”

Total Length of Service 19 Years

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2007: First leadership role at age 26 - Sales Leader of Taj Group’s flagship leisure hotels in Goa. 2016-2019: 84% revenue growth for Shangri-La, from 2016 to 2019. 2020-22: Served the industry as Board Director, Skål

Managing effective teams Sales & business development

Business planning Basics of project management

3 EXCITING FACTS ABOUT ME

International India responsible for PR & Communication.

My first sale was a pair of Levis’ jeans

Anthropology excites me! Am a self-taught guitarist

MEIA MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

R E G I O N A L M E N T O R S P R O F I L E JUNE 2022

Contact [email protected] for further details.