"Be the Game Changer, It Starts with Me!"
Marriott International Indonesia proudly concludes the success of its second Women in Leadership (WIL) conference, held under the inspiring theme, "Be the Game Changer, It Starts with Me!" on 4 & 5 December 2023. The two-day conference unfolded at the Ballroom of The Westin Surabaya, uniting over 200 dynamic women associates of Marriott International’s portfolio of Hotels & Resorts across Indonesia.
Empowering Transformation, Inspiring Change
Women in Leadership (WIL) conference "Be the Game Changer, It Starts with Me!" aims to actively encourage women leaders to shape the future and embrace the transformative power of individual responsibility. Additionally, the conference seeks to equip attendees with actionable strategies, foster connections and instill a sense of empowerment as they navigate their leadership journeys.
Officially opened by Titus Rosier, the General Manager of W Bali – Seminyak and Chairman of Marriott Business Council Indonesia, attendees were then treated to insightful sessions led by distinguished speakers from various industries, such as inspiring panel discussions related to enhancing women’s leadership, as well as a Self-Reflection Workshop that provided a holistic experience for personal and professional growth.
Some of the notable speakers include Angela Tanoesoedibjo, the Vice Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia; RR Endah Sri Rejeki, the Assistant Deputy for Civil Rights Fulfilment (Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection); Christina Chan, the Chief Finance Officer APEC, Marriott International; Andrew Newmark, the Chief Human Resources Officer APEC, Marriott International; Ramesh Jackson, the Area Vice President Marriott International – Indonesia & Malaysia; Marcella Dewi, the Chief Operation Officer of MAPCLUB; and Mustika Wijaya, the Founder and Executive Director of Solar Chapter.
All participants also enjoyed an energetic early morning run around the Pakuwon Hotels' complex, guided by the Westin Surabaya Running Concierge. This activity allowed them to appreciate the local surroundings and start the morning with a sense of freshness and joy.
In furthering the collective endeavour in alignment with the company’s commitment to community support, Women in Leadership also seized the opportunity during the conference to distribute essential food supplies to 100 female Gardeners of Pakuwon Group, Surabaya.
Fostering a Supportive Community
Facilitating ample networking opportunities, the conference nurtured a supportive community and amplified the impact of women leaders. "As Leaders, we often find ourselves on a predefined path. Yet, a game changer doesn’t simply follow the script; she courageously rewrites it. 'It Starts with Me' is not just a tagline; it is a call to action. It is a recognition that each of us possesses the unique power to be the architect of our narrative, to instigate change, and to lead with authenticity," shared Caitie Lee, the General Manager of Lampung Marriott Resort & Spa and Chairwoman of the 2023 Marriott International Indonesia Women in Leadership conference.
Dedication to Diversity and Inclusion
The Women in Leadership conference holds immense significance for Marriott International, aligning seamlessly with the company’s core value of “Putting People First”. The growing success of the event, now attracting twice as many participants, underscores Marriott International's holistic approach to embedding Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) across all aspects of its business.
Since its inception in 1999, the Women’s Leadership Development Initiative has been steadfast in its commitment to formalizing a comprehensive women’s agenda at Marriott and bring together under one strategic umbrella activities that were previously isolated. The four key objectives are to increase the presence of women in the highest level of management and in other key decision-making positions, to improve the career development process at Marriott, to develop a role for senior management to play in ensuring that women progress, and to capitalize on the supply of women leaders currently available to drive the success of the organization.