If you were to summarize your career into a few words, what you would say?
I consider myself privileged to have worked in a challenging field that I love so much with fantastic people and having the opportunity to travel.
What has been your greatest professional achievement to date?
Being appointed VP of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company with passionate and talented team members and incredible corporate responsibility initiatives, was a milestone.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at work?
Like many other people, adjusting to and leading my area of the business through the pandemic was immensely challenging. I had to dig deep and empower my wonderful team.
What advice would you give other women in the industry?
Have confidence and trust that you have earned your seat at the table. Surround yourself with great people, empower them and always have a plan.
Does Hilton have any exciting projects coming up?
Hilton has 372 hotels in the pipeline for EMEA, 86 of which are in the Middle East; each hotel has an average of three F&B spaces. My team and I continue to work relentlessly to deliver our vision, which is to make Hilton EMEA F&B the best in the world.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
