The first Women in Leadership conference by Marriott Indonesia Business Council wrapped up at Sheraton Bali Kuta on 12-13 December 2022, and attended by approximately 140 woman leaders from 62 Marriott Hotels in Indonesia. This event aims to provide opportunities for more female leaders to participate and be inspired by the existing sessions. This conference is the initial stage which will later be continued with other events as a follow-up to the existing aspirations to achieve the Marriott Woman Leaders target of 50% by 2025.
Throughout the conference with a theme of “Challenge Yourself to Pursue Your Dream”, sessions took place to showcase respectful Guest Speakers within the industry. Several names are, Maya Watono, Chief Marketing Officer at InJourney, Dyah Ambarwati, Commissioner of PT Cakrawala Solusi Lintas, Ena Ratiyo, MM, Ph.D (Can), Entrepreneur & Business Coach, Evy Gozali, CEO Sababay Winery & Yoke Darmawan, and Christia Permata Dharmawan, Owner of Focus Company.
The event is even more richer with speakers from Marriott Indonesia; Andrew Newmark, Vice President Human Resources – Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Ramesh Jackson, Area Vice President – Indonesia, Oriol Montal, Multi – Property Vice President, Bali Properties, Titus Rosier, Chairman Indonesia Business Council & General Manager W Bali Seminyak, Lucia Liu, GM The Laguna, Juliana Eka Putra, Market Director of Human Resources, Bali, Conny Tampi, Director of Finance Courtyard by Marriott Nusa Dua, Putu Wikantari, Director of Finance Sthala, The tribute portfolio hotel, Ubud. Some Panelist from female GMs in Indonesia were also contributing; Lily Wijaya, General Manager of Aloft South Jakarta, Caitie Lee, General Manager of Moxy Bandung, Amy Lingga, General Manager of Four Points Seminyak & Fairfield South Kuta, Francisca Thorogood, General Manager of Sheraton Senggigi, Sally Fadjrina, General Manager of Four Points Kuta. Also Panelist from Excom level; Silvana Ng, Executive Assistant Manager Rooms of Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan Jakarta, Sitha Saraswati, Hotel Manager of Sheraton Kuta, and Saraswati Subadia, Director of Sales and Marketing,The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.
During the conference, speakers focused on several themes. The discussion opened with a topic by Andrew Newmark “Show Your Worth” and Ramesh Jackson, “Emotional Intelligence”. The discussion also presents the topic of “Be the change that you wish to see in this world” by Maya Watono and “Breaking Down the glass ceiling mindset; Empowering the power in women” by Ena Ratiyo.
Marriott is aware of the powerful roles that women play as decision makers, consumers, leaders, role models and innovators. Its purpose to increase the number of women who will drive those decisions from leadership positions within the Marriott Indonesia. As of October 2022, the company have 33% female leaders in Indonesia from Red band to Yellow band. The Women in Leadership Initiative have some key objectives to increase the presence of women in the highest level of management and in other key decision-making positions as well to improve their career development process at Marriott.