In this podcast, Olivier Bracard, the co-founder and CEO of the highly successful hospitality recruitment platform Hosco, describes how this platform was born and why it is the go-to website for people looking for job offers in the hospitality field.  As an EHL graduate, Olivier describes his time at the famous Swiss Hospitality School and how his international networking skills began there. He also gives insights on Hospitality Education in Switzerland and apprises us on the current educational trends.
 
 In addition, Olivier discusses the fallout from the COVID pandemic, how the hospitality industry was strongly hit, and why it has become more challenging to find qualified talent in an ever-growing competitive field.  Obviously, Hosco has had to navigate these challenges, and Olivier explains how the recruitment process has evolved over the past few years.
 
 Finally, Olivier describes the current hospitality recruitment trends and how he sees the field's future changing and evolving. In his opinion, it is still a great industry that allows young people to travel to widen their horizons and to be part of an industry that allows for rapid development and career growth.
 
 Olivier Bracard co-founded Hosco in 2011 with Carl Julien, whom he met at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). After graduating in 2007, Olivier joined Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels (JLLH) in Spain, overseeing hotel financial valuations, feasibility studies, and management negotiations for nearly four years.
 
 During his time with JLLH, Olivier was asked to help recruit junior talents from several hotel management schools. After realizing how time-consuming the process was, he imagined a central meeting point for top talent and recruiters in the industry: Hosco was born.

Tim Oberli is currently the Front Desk Manager at the world famous Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne, Switzerland. He is also the current World Skills Vice Champion of Hotel Reception.  In this podcast, Tim describes first becoming the Swiss Skills champion and subsequently his participation in the World Skills competition  in October 2022 in Montreux, Switzerland.  

Tim describes his experience in Montreux and the lasting impressions he has from participating in this important event.  He recognises the importance of his support team and family during a increasingly demanding preparation for this three-day event. He also talks about the mental and physical challenges of competition and how he learned how to overcome moments of doubt and stress.  

Finally, Tim talks about the support he received from his team at the Bürgenstock and how his employment at the reception desk was a vital part of his competition performance.  He also shares his impressions of meeting competitors from around the world and the lasting friendships that he developed with the other contestants.

Khulan Berger is currently the Regional Director at MY BLUE PLANET and the Swiss Coordinator of The Climate Reality Project Europe.  In this podcast, Khulan explains why sustainable tourism has become such an important endeavour and how MY BLUE PLANET is working closely with companies to transition and implement sustainable practices.  

Khulan describes what tools are being used to engage and inspire the hospitality and tourism sectors and what areas are particularly challenging.  She also explains why it is important to reduce CO2 emissions before trying to compensate for them.  In addition, Khulan explains how being more sustainable supports employee engagement while giving her insights into the limitations that the hospitality and tourism sectors face.

Finally, Khulan explains why sustainability is so important and why the hospitality and tourism sectors should make it a priority.

Khulan Berger is the Regional Director at MYBLUEPLANET and the Swiss National Coordinator of The Climate Reality Project Europe. Leading a dedicated team, she focuses on scaling impactful climate projects and programs in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. One of MYBLUEPLANET's programs includes ClimateActions4Companies, whereby her team works closely with companies from the touristic sector to implement climate actions, serving the transition to sustainable tourism. Her commitment lies in making a practical and tangible difference in the ongoing transition to a more sustainable future.

Arian Röehrle is the former president of AICR, The International Association for Deputy Managers and Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotels.  In this podcast, Arian tells our listeners about this important networking organization and how it has grown into a well-established professional and educational entity.  He discusses the importance of networking in the hospitality industry and why AICR has its place in this ever-changing field.

Arian also talks about his own career choices and path and why young people today should embrace the hospitality field.  He gives our listeners insight into some of the challenges the field is currently facing, why training, mentoring and education are so important and how hospitality leaders and managers can improve their communication and leadership styles.  He touches upon managing culturally diverse teams and how to create effective and motivated teams.  Finally, Arian discusses the challenges of working in the hospitality field and having a healthy work / life balance.

After being employed in the hospitality industry for the last 15 years and working his way up from pageboy to general manager in 11 hotels across five countries, Arian and his wife Anja have founded A&A Hotel & Gastronomie Betriebs-GmbH.  They plan on continuing to surprise and delight guests and staff by creating lasting relationships and memorable moments.

In this podcast, Marie-Berengère Chapoton, who is currently the General Manager of the award-winning Raffles Al Areen Palace in Bahrain, describes her global career path and how she met not only challenges but opportunities that came her way.  Marie-Berengère’s career path has led her toNew York, Montreal, Paris, Milan, Rome, Uruguay, The Bermudas, Rio de Janeiro and now to Bahrain.  In this podcast, Marie-Berengère tells our listeners about her move up the hospitality management ladder and how she has embraced the role of a General Manager in a luxury hotel. 

Marie-Berengère also explains how her passion for hospitality was sparked, and how her hospitality studies in Switzerland set her on a successful career path.  She answers our questions about the evolution of women working in top hospitality management positions and why it has become easier for women to aspire to a General Manager position in hotels and resorts.

Finally, Marie-Berengère shares some personal insights into working in the hospitality field and navigating a global career that requires and open mind and flexibility.  It is for this reason that she encourages young people to embrace this exciting and potentially global career path.

Marie-Berengere Chapoton is a French citizen and the General Manager at Raffles Al Areen Palace in Bahrain.  She has more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. With a background in hotel management from a prestigious school in Switzerland and an MBA from IMHI Cornell-Essec Business School, she has managed hotel openings & repositioning projects across North & South America, Europe, Asia, and now in GCC with Sofitel, Fairmont & Raffles as well as Corporate exposure. With a global mindset, she fuses various cultures to provide unique customer experiences and her tenure at Raffles Bahrain is a testament to her dedication to excellence.

In this podcast, Luiz Prebianca discusses how he ended up working in Australia, what he loves about working there and how Australian hospitality differs from other places.  Originally from Brazil, Luiz moved to Germany as a teenager to attend high school and then onto Switzerland to attend a Hospitality Management school.  He has worked in Brazil, the USA, Dubai and began working in Australia in 2010.  With his signature sense of humour, he discusses what kind of tourists come to Australia and the how the Crocodile Dundee effect has made Australia such a popular destination.

Luiz also gives his advice on leadership and successful hospitality management strategies. He shares his insights into how hospitality managers can motivate and inspire their staff and why training and communication is key. Finally, he talks about how the hospitality industry has changed and what future challenges will look like for many hospitality businesses.

Luiz is passionate about the hospitality field and thoroughly enjoys interacting with people from different cultures.  He is currently the Hotel Manager at the Riverside Hotel Southbank in Brisbane, Australia and oversees many departments in this 4-star Strata Titled Hotel.  Luiz was brought on board right after the floods that devastated Brisbane - his mission was to “recreate” the Hotel.  He was given full authority to apply change, so he and his team were able to “recreate” the entire way the Hotel approaches marketing, sales, reservations and business relationships along with implementing new standard operating procedures, uniforms, furniture, online marketing approach, customer service practices and more. 

In this podcast, Victor Mogilev speaks to our audience about Hospitality HR recruitment in South East Asia and explains how this region has its unique challenges and opportunities.  Victor traces his educational and career path to explain how his Swiss hospitality management background allowed him to pursue a global career and landed him today in Bangkok working as a partner for LHC International.  LHC is an international hospitality and operating real estate executive search firm with a core team of professionals focusing on recruitment of senior management roles. 

He also shares his insight into key trends for management positions in the South East Asia region and what kind of profiles HR recruitment businesses are looking for.  Additionally, he describes how technology and digitalization have impacted the recruitment process for hospitality roles and provides valuable advice on how to navigate working in this region for young talents looking to expand their horizons.

Victor Mogilev is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. Originally from Russia, Victor has immersed himself in diverse cultures, having lived and worked in Asia for more than a decade.

A graduate in Hospitality Management from the esteemed Glion Institute of Higher Education, Victor's journey in the industry has been marked by significant contributions. He has held number of roles in the Corporate Office of a well-established regional hotel brand and spent several years with a leading Inbound Destination Management company in Asia.

For the past 5 years, Victor has joined forces with a close friend and business partner,  Garry Levin (another graduate of Glion Institute of Higher Education) to spearhead the development and growth of LHC International. This hospitality-focused executive search firm operates across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, reflecting Victor's commitment to shaping the future of the industry through talent acquisition and strategic leadership. LHC International has established itself as one of the leading recruitment firms across the hospitality industry with offices in Berlin, Singapore, Bangkok and Palma de Mallorca.

In this podcast, Sophia Mounib talks about recruiting and retaining talent in the hospitality and luxury sectors in Morocco.  Sophia gives our listeners insight into running a hospitality / luxury sector talent business in Casablanca and the challenges she has faced, especially after the COVID pandemic. 

In addition, Sophia talks about the hospitality and tourism industry in Morocco and how it differs from other North African destinations.  Finally, Sophia shares her experiences with associations that she is actively involved in including AICR Morocco and Disciples Escoffier.

Sophia is the Managing Partner at Talent Advisor in Casablanca, Morocco.  Talent Advisor is a platform that enables hoteliers and people in the luxury sector to unlock their talents, build a network and hire the absolute best in Morocco.  She is also the Founder of Hospitality Connect, the first recruitment fair exclusively dedicated to service, hospitality, restaurant and fine jewelry professions in Morocco. 

Beyond recruitment, Hospitality Connect stands out as a dynamic platform for exchange and sharing within a passionate community.  The first edition took place in October 2023 in Casablanca, and the second edition is planned for September 2024.

Sophia started her hospitality career in 2012 after graduating from Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland. Her first experience at the President Wilson Hotel, Geneva, for an F&B Management traineeship was soon followed by a role with Hyatt in human resources. But with a need to understand and master the operational side of the hotel industry, she took on guest-facing roles with Four Seasons, Sofitel and Ritz Carlton before realizing that her true passion for people was in human resources.

Xavier Rambaud describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur” and in this podcast he speaks to us about his latest entrepreneurial adventure, Maison Epigenitic in Paris, France. Maison Epigenitic’s mission is to keep people in good health and it is a place dedicated to the adoption of an epigenetic lifestyle, a preventive and holistic method that encourages individuals to become actors in their own well-being and health. This approach aims to personalize health strategies based on each individual’s unique needs to optimize health and performance.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management and Real Estate & Revenue Management, he went on to work in several luxury hotels before developing his first entrepreneurial ideas. In this podcast, Xavier explains how his hospitality background has helped him in his current role as CEO of Maison Epigenitic.

Xavier Rambaud is the co-founder and CEO of Maison Epigenetic, a company at the forefront of the healthcare and wellness industry. Since its opening in March 2021, Maison Epigenetic has been pioneering a unique concept centered around epigenetics, a science that demonstrates the significant impact of our environment and lifestyle on our health. This Paris-based enterprise is dedicated to offering ultra-personalized preventive health programs, leveraging data-driven results through the advanced science of epigenetics, acknowledged as a critical component of longevity science.

Xavier's journey in entrepreneurship and his passion for integrating science and wellness into practical applications began soon after his graduation from Glion in 2016. His educational background, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, equipped him with the necessary tools and insights to quickly immerse himself in the world of startups. Maison Epigenetic is his second startup venture, after Triptwin which was a "travel matching app".

Maison Epigenetic, co-founded by Xavier Rambaud along with Doctor Valerie Leduc and Henri-Nicolas Olivier, represents a new, integrative approach to health. It is both preventive and personalized, aiming to impact health, beauty, and well-being by merging the best of scientific and technological innovations. The company is described as a ‘blue zone' committed to the harmony of body and mind, underscoring its holistic approach to wellness. 

In this podcast we talk to Yahya Shakhshir about Hospitality education and training in Vancouver, Canada.  Yahya is currently the President at Cornerstone International Community College of Canada, one of the top private Colleges located in Vancouver.  He is a passionate, driven and dedicated hotelier with 18 years in the Hospitality and Education industry. He has international experience in 9 different countries, with expertise in the field of Rooms Division. 

Yahya shares his experience in hospitality education and his insights into how hospitality education in Canada is different from other countries, and how private hospitality colleges differ from public institutions.  With a pragmatic approach to hospitality training, Yahya explains why practical training is so important for young people entering the hospitality field today.  He also touches upon micro-credentials, a way for working adults in the hospitality field to pursue life-long learning.  Finally, Yahya talks about why immigration is so important, not only for Canada’s hospitality and tourism sectors, but for their technical and IT sectors as well.

Yahya is a member of the British Columbia Hotel Association BCHA, Customer Advisory Board member and Faculty member of AHLEI (American Hotel Lodging Educational Institute) and he has successfully taught 20+ Hospitality and Business courses to hundreds of students throughout his career. In addition, he has helped create and develop new programs and courses and ensured instructors are all well-trained and evaluated to maintain quality standards.
 
 Yahya has recently launched a Hospitality training and consulting firm focusing on improving operational and conceptual skills within the Hotel Industry. 

In this podcast, Sara Abdel Masih describes her unique career path from climbing the career ladder in the luxury hospitality industry to teaching in hotel management schools and writing a book on mobbing and harassment in the workplace based on her personal experiences.

Sara has worn many hats and has studied not only hospitality management but criminology and forensic science. She is the Founder of Sensory Academy Management, a holistic approach to hospitality management through coaching, care and leadership.  In this podcast Sara describes her in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry and why she has followed different interests and paths throughout her career.  She also shares her experience as an AICR jury member and why these competitions are important.

As someone who has worked extensively in the Italian hospitality field, Sara also gives us her perspectives on Italian hospitality, how it differs from other countries and why Italy continues to be a top destination for travelers around the world.

Born in Egypt and raised in Italy, Sara has forged an impressive career in the luxury hospitality industry, culminating in her role as a Hotel Manager at prestigious establishments like Cavalieri and The Square Milano. With a degree in Tourism Science, Management, Culture, and Territory from IULM University in Milan, Sara started her career as a switchboard operator at Four Seasons Hotel Milan and quickly ascended through the ranks. 

Her deep insights into luxury and sensory experiences inspired her to found Italy's first Sensory Academy, blending operational skills with coaching, care, and leadership. Sara is also an author, having written a book detailing her significant experiences with workplace harassment. Additionally, she is a competitive beach volleyball player and a passionate advocate for leadership. Sara's mission is to build a network of professionals who can capture the essence of individuals and transform them into sensory talents capable of profoundly understanding their surroundings and their own inner awareness.

In this podcast, Clémence Gillier and Neil Beecroft from the sustainability consultancy agency, The SHIFT, now called bloomUP, talk about how businesses can develop and improve their sustainability practices. Clémence and Neil describe what sparked their interest in this important field and how their careers have evolved into creating and running this sustainability agency.  They also speak about pragmatic and real-life sustainable practices that any business can adopt and how to engage key stakeholders starting with upper management. Neil and Clémence also touch on the challenges and road blocks that can make tackling the subject of sustainability difficult.  They encourage organizations and businesses to define their commitment to sustainability, to develop strategies and to engage stakeholders, all the phases that the agencyis poised to accomplish as consultants.

Clémence Gillier is a sustainability and business development expert with 10 years’ experience across diverse sectors and a strong academic background in business. In 2020, Clémence had a wakeup call recognizing the critical urgency of this decade for future generations. She devoted her expertise to growing The SHIFT, a sustainability consulting agency, from its early stage, and driving projects that advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Clémence focuses on the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that empower businesses, organizations, and cities to adopt responsible practices while generating shared value. As a B Corp Leader, she also guides firms toward B Corp Certification and Swiss Triple Impact recognition. Among her achievements, Clémence co-authored the online course "Sport & Sustainability" for FC Barcelona's initiative “Barca Innovation Hub” in 2022 and served as the Deputy Head of Sustainability for the Tour de France stage in Lausanne this same year.  Additionally, in 2023, she managed the Omega European Masters' sustainability strategy and operational implementation with her colleague Neil. 

 
Neil Beecroft is an expert in sustainability and business innovation. He’s a Partner of The SHIFT Agency, now called bloomUp, working for international organisations and mega-events such as the Olympics. He was formerly responsible for sustainable development at UEFA EURO 2016 in France. In 2020, he was the Head of Sustainability for the Lausanne Winter Youth Olympics, and in 2022 the Sustainability Director for the Tour de France stage in Lausanne. As B Corp Leader, he encourages the way in which innovation and sustainability can positively influence the organisational model of sports and the industry. Neil is also Sustainability Director for the Omega European Masters and CoFounder of the Start Up PuraWorka and of the NGO Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI). He has achieved a certificate in disruptive innovation at IMD Business School and is blending this field with sustainability.

In this podcast, Robert Recupero shares his extraordinary career path with our listeners and explains how this path led to the creation of Moomenti, a high-end marketplace for booking luxury hotel experiences.  This entrepreneurial adventure was Robert’s answer to making hospitality luxury easier to navigate and enjoy.

 Early in his career, Robert worked at Swissport, which enabled him to learn essential service and leadership skills that have helped him throughout his career and triggered his passion for travel and hospitality. 

 His move to Thomson Reuters, the multinational information corporation, as the Senior Vice-President of Sales and Services allowed him to hone his leadership skills and he brought these skills to JP Morgan Private Banking.  In 2021, Robert started his own company, Moomenti and he explains his reasons and motivation for moving into the Luxury Hotel Experiences sector.

 Robert also describes how the hospitality sector is an ever-changing landscape that is creating new avenues and why technology is at the forefront of this movement.  Robert’s broad experience allows him to evaluate and understand what travelers and guests are looking for and how to meet their growing expectations. Finally, Robert explains his bold decision to become an entrepreneur and what he has learned so far.

 Robert Recupero is an expert in organizational design, technology metrics, and user experience/customer experience (UX/CX). With an impressive career spanning senior leadership roles in banking, finance, and technology, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his current endeavors.
 
 As a former Managing Director at JP Morgan Private Bank and Senior Vice President at Thomson Reuters, Robert has demonstrated exceptional leadership in banking technology operations and high-end client service. His strategic vision and expertise have driven significant advancements in these areas, making him a respected figure in the industry.
 
 Following his tenure in banking and finance, Robert transitioned to a successful career as a Senior Independent Consultant. In this role, he advised numerous organizations on organizational design, IT leadership, and governance, helping them navigate complex challenges and achieve their strategic objectives.
 
 Currently, Robert is the founder and CEO of Moomenti, a high-end marketplace for booking luxury hotel experiences. Launched in Switzerland, Moomenti is now expanding to Asia, Latin America, and the United States, reflecting Robert's innovative approach and global vision.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to him should you want to know more about Moomenti. 

 Robert holds a Finance degree from the University of Geneva in Switzerland. His academic background, combined with his extensive professional experience, positions him as a thought leader in the fields of finance, hospitality and technology.

Michael Romei has been dubbed "The Ambassador of Hospitality" and he practices his brand of statecraft on both a local and global level. In this podcast, Michael invites our listeners to retrace his brilliant career as a Les Clefs d’Or concierge, and in particular, his time as the former Chef Concierge of the Waldorf Towers/Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Michael walks us through the kinds of duties performed by a Chief Concierge and relates some anecdotes with the diplomacy and discretion that is expected of someone with his experience and position.  He also tells our listeners what it takes to be a great Concierge and how the position has evolved and changed over the years.

Finally, Michael tells us more about Les Clefs d’Or and his personal dedication to this prestigious association.

Michael Romei is currently the Chef Concierge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City and is frequent guest speaker, lecturer and trainer in the hospitality industry. 

Presidents, heads of state, celebrities, and tourists from around the world have sought out Michael Romei with requests that run the gamut from getting hot tickets to a sold-out show to staging an elaborate marriage proposal. You can often find him in his hotel lobby speaking Italian on the phone, chatting with guests in Spanish and making dinner reservations in French. 

Michael Romei is the insider's insider, knowing where to go and what to do in the far-flung corners of the world. Romei's frequent guests have often boasted that their favorite concierge in New York has set up a complete European vacation for them! In today's competitive luxury hotel market, that is an edge, indeed! 

Michael Romei is the former General Secretary of the prestigious international organization Les Clefs d'Or and served on their International Executive Committee for 10 years. Signified by the golden keys that they wear on their lapels. Les Clefs d'Or boasts approximately 4000 members working in 80 destinations most of whom have undergone rigorous training in the concierge profession, a lot of that training done by Romei himself. 

He has logged tens of thousands of miles each year conducting training sessions and seminars all around the world. Romei teaches the art of hospitality to all levels of hotel staff; from General Managers, to bellhops, to housekeepers, and of course, the concierges. He also spreads the word of just how invaluable concierges are to their hotels. Perhaps the GM of the Movenpick Hotel in Bangalore, India said it best, after one of Romei's training sessions: "The concierge is the face of the hotel. He is the one who interacts with the guests on a daily basis. So, it is vitally important to have an excellent and well-trained concierge team." 

Romei has a BA from Manhattanville College, Graduates Studies degree in International Business from NYU, a former faculty member of NYU's Continuing Education Hospitality Program.  Romei is founder of the “Creating Service Magic” Concierge-Customer Service Training Seminar.  He served 24 years as the Chef Concierge of The Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Towers, prior to which he served 5 years as the Chef Concierge of the Boca Raton Resort & Club. He is Past President of the Southern Florida Concierge Association, Honorary Member of Les Clefs d’Or UICH International, Les Clefs d’Or USA, Les Clefs d’Or India and Les Clefs d’Or Maroc, and the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges.  

In this podcast, Johanna Fagerberg, who is currently the Hospitality Senior Manager at Diriyah Company, talks about working in Saudi Arabia and the vast plans that the Kingdom has for hospitality and tourism.  She previously was the Guest Experience Manager at The Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Johanna also talks about her career choices and what it’s like for a European woman to work in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia in particular.  Johanna is originally from Sweden and graduated in 2011 from Glion Institute of Hospitality in Switzerland and has had, since the launch of her career, a vast international experience in multiple fields of the hospitality management industry.  

Johanna also talks to us about Saudi Vision 2030, which is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.

Walter el Nagar is a passionate Chef with a multicultural background and a strong desire to make not only a culinary mark but a social one as well.  In this podcast, Walter describes his passion for creative culinary arts and his professional path across the globe.  

Walter was born in Milan in 1981 to an Egyptian father and Italian mother, both of whom are restaurateurs. Known for his creative flair and self-taught culinary skills, Walter embarked on a transformative journey in 2008 when he traveled to Los Angeles and discovered his love for Latin American cuisine. This experience inspired him to establish his own restaurant, 'The Barbershop.'
 
 In 2016, Walter embarked on an enriching one-year culinary world tour, discovering the flavors of Barcelona, Ibiza, Moscow, Tulum, and ultimately Singapore. It was during this journey that he introduced his innovative pop-up restaurant concept, inspired by his experiences in Los Angeles.  After a brief stint in Dubai, he felt the need to find a permanent home, and in 2017, he came to Geneva.
 
 Taking up the position of Head Chef at the renowned 'Fiskebar' restaurant in the Hôtel de la Paix, Walter soon realized his vision went beyond culinary excellence. To prove his commitment to social issues, he founded his own restaurant, 'Le Cinquième Jour,' in Geneva. This unique establishment embraced a powerful concept of social inclusion – the kitchen brigade dedicated Saturdays to cooking for those in need, including disadvantaged individuals, refugees, the homeless, and vulnerable teenagers.  This concept continues with his new restaurant, Refettorio in Geneva.
 
 Driven by his unwavering dedication to both gastronomy and social impact, Walter established Fondazione Mater in 2020. As the founder and executive director, he continues to merge his culinary expertise with a strong sense of purpose, creating initiatives that make a positive difference in our society.

In 2016, Vasily Grogol was hired by an investor to create a feasibility study on a hotel project in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2017 he moved to Kyiv and worked on opening not only a boutique hotel called BURSA but also a gallery for young, Ukranian artists.  At the age of 24 he became the Executive Director of BURSA Hotel and gallery and his goal, in his own words “is to change the perception of Ukraine on the international level. BURSA design is simple and unpretentious, yet our service is friendly and tactful. We want everyone who comes to Kyiv to experience the city as we see it, and to feel the spirit of our community.”
 
 

In addition to finding investors, Vasily personally interviewed and hired everyone that works with BURSA, from architects and designers to the constructors. He hand-picked vintage furniture from Amsterdam, Paris, Guangzhou and Oslo for BURSA’s restaurant and library and he made sure to implement sustainable policies, such as recycling, sustainable heating and chargers for electric cars. In addition, he led partnerships with local talent and family businesses, including White Sprut, which produces our 100% organic toiletries, and Ukranian designer Slava Balbek.
 
 

And then COVID hit and like many hoteliers, it was a challenging period for Vasily and his team.  

Just when the COVID pandemic began to subside, war broke out in Ukraine and Vasily has now spent the last years trying to run a hotel in a war zone while finding ways to support the war effort.  In this podcast he describes the nightmarish reality of waking up to the sound of bombs and having to quickly find solutions for their guests while protecting the hotel itself.

This is the story of a young man who is tireless, upbeat and a hopeful optimist and we are sure that his story will inspire and impress our listeners. 

In this podcast, Lucy Grace Maliki, a dual citizen of Kenya and Switzerland, describes her career path from teaching French and English in a Swiss Hospitality Institute to becoming an entrepreneur in Kenya.  Her years of living and teaching in Switzerland brought her to appreciate the fine art of making chocolates and when she moved back to Kenya a few years ago, she decided to create her own chocolate company, Grace Chocolaterie. 

Lucy also answers our questions about hospitality in Kenya and the some of the challenges the hospitality and tourism sector currently faces.  As one of Africa’s most popular destinations, Lucy describes the Kenyan approach to welcoming guests to their country.  She also talks about hospitality education and training in Kenya and what the government could do to improve this.

Finally, Lucy explains some of the challenges she has had to face in Kenya in terms of running a company, finding the best sources for quality chocolate and navigating the differences between her native home, Kenya and her adopted home of Switzerland.  She is still coming to terms with being back in Africa and finding ways for her company to thrive.

Ivan Artolli is the kind of hotelier you dream of meeting in a luxury hotel.  He shares his lifetime experience with our listeners and talks about the people who have been role models in his life.  He is charming, cultivated and he talks candidly about his youth and his dream of one day becoming a General Manager.

A lifetime career of working in some of the most luxurious hotels in Europe, Ivan has comprehensive international experience at senior levels in planning, marketing, sales, administration and direction of operations in a wide range of luxurious properties. He also has experience in hotel openings, hotel renovations and repositioning with a reputation for top quality service standards and strong trouble-shooting abilities. 

With strong leadership abilities and a history of recruiting, developing, training, supervising and motivating high performance teams.  Ivan is well-versed in intercultural communications and negotiations. He is fluent in English, French, German and Italian.  

Chantal Wittmann is an educator, a hospitality expert, a competition judge and received the MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) Maître d’Hôtel award.  In this podcast, Chantal gives our listeners some background information about the French MOF competitions and what this means for the people who have been given this title.  Chantal has taught in some of the most prestigious hospitality institutions including Lycée Hôtelier de Strasbourg, the Glion Institute of Higher Education, the Ecole Ducasse.  In addition to teaching, Chantal also teaches Master Classes around the world and has participated as a judge in dozens of competitions.

In this podcast, Chantal explains the French “Arts de la Table” or how to prepare and present food following very strict guidelines and etiquette.  This tradition goes back to the time of Marie Antoinette, when the French nobility created extravagant table settings and service to impress their guests.

For anyone who has had the pleasure of eating in a French gastronomic restaurant, this art can be described as a culinary ballet. "Arts de la Table" is a French custom of refinement, elegance and rigor regarding the dining experience and it is a unique way of approaching the presentation of a meal. Finally, it creates a particular ambiance and sets the tone for the entire dining experience.

Chantal also describes the challenges she has faced in a hospitality field that is predominantly masculine.  With candour and passion, she takes our listeners on an exploration of the Maître d’Hôtel profession and describes why she followed this career path.  She also explains her desire to transmit the values of this important profession to younger generations so that the Arts de la Table does not become a lost art.

William Mackay is an internationally experienced executive with over 45 years of experience in luxury hotel, spa and F & B management, operations, and development.  He has a proven track record of assembling and leading highly motivated, diverse, and mutually accountable teams and a true passion for quality as the primary means to profit. 
 
 

We have invited William as our guest because he has a great understanding of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern culture and business protocols with considerable breadth of global expertise, gained through numerous leadership positions with some of the world’s finest hospitality brands including Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.  In this podcast, William talks about his global career and the changes he has seen over the years.

William was responsible for multiple hotel openings, including the Four Seasons, Hong Kong, which was the first hotel in the world to boast two Three-Star Michelin restaurants (hotel-managed) and four Forbes Five-star designations.
 
 He is a former Board Member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board from 2010 to 2014, and Chairman of its Staff and Finance Committee from 2013 to 2014. Member of Advisory Boards and Guest Lecturer at Chinese University Hotel School (HK), and Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel & Tourism Management. 

 William Mackay is ready to offer advisory services to business owners, boards, and developers in the hospitality, tourism, and service Industry. He is a recognised speaker at industry events with a wealth of worldwide hospitality and tourism contacts.

In this podcast, Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga shares the extraordinary history of his family-owned winery, Tenuta San Leonardo, which is an estate of historical significance where great wines are created in Trentino. It produces San Leonardo, a Bordeaux-style red wine which was described by the wine journalist, Jancis Robinson as "surely the most successful Bordeaux blend of northern Italy".

For our oenology enthusiasts, Anselmo describes the kind of grapes and wines made at San Leonardo and gives a colorful historical background to this winery founded in 1724.  And for our history buffs, Anselmo shares some of the highlights of his great grandmother Gemma de Gresti’s war efforts to repatriate Italian soldiers during and after the First World War and to welcome and host the neediest during this tragic conflict. The International Red Cross awarded her the highest honor, the gold medal for humanitarian valor. 

Born in Rome in 1978, Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga’s passions have always been linked to the countryside and animals.  He spent every summer on his family’s estate in Trentino surrounded by the vineyards and then in his grandmother's garden on the outskirts of Rome, La Landriana, where she had created a magical world with help from great landscape architects of the time. It is in these places that he refined his knowledge and love for nature.

After graduating in 2000 from John Cabot University in Rome with a degree in Business Administration, Anselmo traveled around trying to find out what his aspirations were. Destiny soon brought him back to San Leonardo family winery to support his father.  In fact, in the summer of 2001, he started working on the estate covering little by little all the roles from the simplest gradually to taking over the management of the company to which much of his attention and time still go.

Anselmo considers being a wine producer a privilege, and he continues to pursue his father's vision focusing on quality and people with great passion, never forgetting, as their motto says, that "The Land is the soul of our work".

In this podcast, Anselmo Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga shares the extraordinary history of his family owned winery, Tenuta San Leonardo, which is an estate of historical significance and an Italian wine producer in the Lagarina Valley in Trentino. It produces San Leonardo, a Bordeaux-style red wine which was described by the wine journalist, Jancis Robinson as "surely the most successful Bordeaux blend of northern Italy".

With over 20+ years experience in the hotel industry, Annie Boslem has been working for some of the most prestigious international companies such as Starwood, Inter-Continental, Shangri-La and Taj Hotels. She also works with many small and exclusive privately-owned properties, both in the UK and overseas. She moved from luxury hotels into hospitality recruitment in 2000 and works closely with many of the major 5-star hotel properties in Europe, Middle East and Asia - specializing in management recruitment for deluxe hotels. 

Her passion for the hospitality industry is contagious and she shares her experience and insights with us on how the industry leaders can face the current staffing challenges and inspire young people to join the industry.  Annie’s background in recruitment has allowed her to understand the importance of mentoring, and finding the right people to fill the mentor’s shoes.  She also discusses the importance of training and finding a good work-life balance for people in the business.

Annie is currently the Vice-Chargee de Missions, Bailliage of Scotland, Chaine des Rotisseurs - http://www.chaine.co.uk/bailliages/scotland . Annie is also a Past President and Honorary member of the AICR – Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Reception des Grand Hotels - http://www.aicr.co.uk .

With a great love of good food and wine her life’s motto is “May the only pain in your life be champagne”.

Today’s episode is being sponsored by Jorizon Education Consulting, China.

This podcast was by far one of our most popular and features Tom Su, a former hotelier who has found a unique way of combining music with hospitality.  After working several years in the hospitality industry in Taipei, Tom chose a different path in telecommunications.  But his love for music and his desire to share this passion has finally led him to bringing musical joy to hospitals and senior care facilities.  Listen to this episode to learn how he combines music, hospitality, communications, counselling and volunteering in his life.

Tom Su is a musician, a hotelier, a telecommunication manager, a life counsellor and a volunteer. 

He was born in Taiwan and has a fine arts bachelor degree in violin. He also graduated from Glion

Hotel School in 1996. He later became the director of sales and marketing at The Ritz Taipei at the age

of 30. In 2003, he emigrated to Canada where he earned an MBA at the University of Victoria, specializing in Service Management. During the pandemic, he recognized the mental health crisis, so he went back to school and got his certifications in Life Coach and Life Counseling.

Currently Tom is working at Telus, a telecommunications company in Canada. Since 2006, he has also been playing the violin with the West Coast Symphony. Most importantly, he is an active volunteer in senior care facilities, hospitals and his community. 

Recently, Tom was awarded as a Local Hero from the mayor of Burnaby in June 2023, to recognize his contribution to the community and an article about his volunteer work was featured in Pancouver, a local Vancouver publication.

(https://pancouver.ca/violinist-tom-su-spreads-joy-and-builds-empathy-by-taking-his-music-

to-the-people/). 

Amna Alyamani has turned her childhood passion into a successful career and she is a woman fueled by her passion for baking, which she discovered at the tender age of 7. She has since pursued her dream, scaling heights and enjoying success in the culinary industry. In this podcast, Amna retraces her passion for baking and answers our questions about entrepreneurship, the current situation in Saudi Arabia for young female entrepreneurs and how she manages the everyday stress of running a business.

Growing up, Amna always knew that she wanted to open a bakery, and by the time she was 12, she had already set her eyes on achieving this goal. She was determined to make her dream come true, and so she focused her education towards pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.  Amna was one of the first Saudi women to graduate from the prestigious Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, specializing in hospitality management (2010). She also received pastry training from Cordon Bleu in Paris (2013) and an MBA from IESE Business school (2019) to learn how to realize that dream.

Fast forward to 2020, and Amna has finally achieved her lifelong dream of opening her own bakery. Her passion for baking, coupled with her education in hospitality, has enabled her to create a unique and successful brand. She has since scaled her business, offering her customers delicious, fresh, and high-quality baked goods, while expanding her skillset in the field of culinary arts. In 2023, Amna learned how to- and launched 14 virtual brands across 7 cloud kitchens in a span of 10 months. Her inspiration comes from her grandfather, who instilled in her a love for cooking that has only grown stronger over the years. Amna is a true inspiration, a testimony of what hard work, determination, and passion can achieve.

In this podcast, Peter Cross talks about the challenges of working in the Sport Management field and specifically, Mega-sporting events like The Olympics, Youth Olympics and FIFA World Cups.  He also discusses his personal and professional impressions and experiences in Qatar, Russia, France and Switzerland.  Finally, he talks about the Sport Management field and gives advice to young people who are interested in this field.

Peter is British and was born London in 1963 and grew up in Northern Ireland.  Since 2016 Peter has worked on a range of consultancy contracts including the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, the 2020 Youth Winter Olympics in Switzerland and recently for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

From the mid-80s until the mid-90s Peter worked in tourism and hospitality management primarily in France, Switzerland and Canada. In 1992 and 1994 he worked at the Albertville and Lillehammer Winter Olympics for CBS Television as a logistics manager and consultant. 

From the mid-90s Peter focused specifically on hospitality management in the French Alps, moving to Switzerland in 1998. In 2001 Peter started teaching hospitality and business management, prior to setting up and managing a new sport and event management program in 2002. In 2009 Peter moved into the leadership and management of student services at the Glion Institute of Higher Education, where he eventually became the Director of Campuses, covering both student services and campus operations from 2013 until 2016. 

In his spare time, he is a keen skier, walker and mountain biker, having cycled the west coast of North America in the summer of 1992. He has also played top class rugby in England and briefly represented the Swiss national rugby team in the twilight of his playing career in the late 90s. 

In his spare time, he is a keen skier, walker and mountain biker, having cycled the west coast of North America in the summer of 1992. He has also played top class rugby in England and briefly represented the Swiss national rugby team in the twilight of his playing career in the late 90s. 

In this podcast, John Lohr, who is currently theDirector of External Affairs at Dusit Thani College in Bangkok, talks to us about Thai hospitality and hospitality education in Thailand.  

 John’s decision to study hospitality at a prestigious Swiss hospitality school enabled him to understand the importance of a solid, practical and multi-cultural hospitality education and he has successfully used this experience on his career path.  He also shares his experience of being an American studying in Switzerland and discovering classmates that came from over 90 different countries.  

 After several hospitality positions in several countries, John chose to follow a hospitality education path for several years and joined HOSCO, the world's largest hospitality network, in 2015.  He became HOSCO’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation in 2021. Working in the hospitality recruitment field allowed John to follow this rapidly changing market and he comments on the challenges that hospitality recruitment faces today.  Most importantly, John speaks frankly about how the hospitality field is not always ready to face these challenges and what he thinks companies can do to improve this. 

Dusit Thani College in Bangkok, is Thailand's first and largest hospitality school. John currently drives international partnerships sales and strategies in his position as Executive Director External Affairs.

 Earlier in his career, John worked with IHG hotels in Thailand and India and served as the Director of Business Development for the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in Europe. He has also held various board positions for EuroCHRIE, the Council of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Educators and is a member of multiple global hospitality education and training associations. He is a global citizen, a graduate of Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, has lived in over seven countries and currently resides in Bangkok, Thailand with his family.

To celebrate our one year anniversary, 50 Shades of Hospitality producer, Egidio Marcato is re-releasing his podcast.

The global hospitality industry is still feeling the effects from the COVID pandemic and trying to find solutions to the many challenges that it is facing.  Lack of qualified staff as well as staff retention have been causing havoc in many hotels and restaurants.  But are we doing enough to face these challenges?  Egidio analyses the current situation and pinpoints the lack of vocational education and training for young people interested in entering the field.

 From the Veneto region of Italy, Egidio Marcato has had a prestigious career in hospitality and hospitality education. Egido studied hotel management in Aban Terme and received a Master in Business Administration from Endicott Collegein the USA.

He has worked for over four decades to promote the profession of hotel receptionist and co-founded the Swiss AICR competition for best receptionist known as the Bucherer Trophy.  In 2015 he was appointed president of the jury of the David Cambell Trophy (world’s best receptionist award).

In recognition of his vast experience and expertise, SwissSkills appointed him Swiss expert/coach at WorldSkills and EuroSkills for the profession of hotel receptionist. In 2020, he founded his own company, the Swiss Hospitality Guild, a training centre for those wishing to excel in the art of hospitality.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality from a prestigious Swiss hotel school, Alvin Liu has followed an atypical career path.  Over the past years, when his day job as a Senior Recruitment Consultant for a Data and Analytics company allows him, Alvin hones his stand-up comedian talents and regularly hits the stand-up comedy circuit in London and other British destinations, including the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

In this podcast, Alvin talks about his inspiration for his comedy sketches and what it is like for a Chinese native to break into the stand-up comedy world in Britain.  We talk to him about his inspiration for his comedy shows and how being a Chinese ex-patriot fuels some of his best jokes.  

Alvin also talks about his educational experience in Switzerland as a Chinese foreign student and why it is vital for young students to leave their home countries to experience a global educational environment.  In addition, Alvin explains how a hospitality background can be a starting point for many kinds of careers and how the soft skills learned in this field of study are transferrable.

Alvin Liu was born in mainland China and studied at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.  Since graduating, he has worked as a Talent Recruitment Consultant for several companies in China and London and recently has specialized in Data Talents.

With over 40 years-experience as a luxury hotel concierge, Robert Watson shares his career path and choices along with some unforgettable experiences with our listeners.  Starting as a page boy at the InterContinental Hotel in London, Robert has also worked at some of London’s famous hotels such as  Mayfair Hotel, the Park Hyatt Carlton Tower and the Grosvenor.

In this podcast, Robert describes what a concierge does, why this position is still important for prestigious hotels and for their role in satisfying demanding client requests.  Robert explains the importance of having a strong network that can be relied upon when a request is particularly challenging.

Robert also gives our listeners an inside look into the International Clefs D’Or, (translated as The Golden Keys), a professional association of hotel concierges, with approximately 4000 members working in over 80 countries and 530 destinations, in literally every corner of the world.  In 2009, Robert became the President of this prestigious organization and he has served this organization in other positions such as the Treasurer and Delegate for Great Britain.

With roots dating back to 1929, Les Clefs d’Or was officially founded in France in 1952 as a not-for-profit organisation based on two pillars: Service and Friendship. Before earning the right to wear the golden keys, those who aspire to become a member must have several years of experience as a hotel concierge, pass comprehensive testing and prove, beyond doubt, their ability to deliver highest quality of service.

Joining the Willard InterContinental Washington in February of 2006, Chef Concierge Robert Watson brings to the DC landmark hotel over 48 years of Concierge service experience accrued from working in properties all over the world. 

Prior to this, Robert has held Chef Concierge positions at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the Park Hyatt Carlton Tower, and the MayFair InterContinental Hotel in London England.  He has also held this prestigious position at the Hotel InterContinental in Luxembourg, the Cape Sun InterContinental Hotel in Cape Town, the InterContinental Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg both in South Africa where he aided in the hotel’s opening.  His duties during this time included creating hotel policy and procedure as well as the development of their training manual for all concierges, porters, doormen and drivers. 

In 2009, Robert became International President of Les Clefs d’Or.  Robert has also held the positions of International Delegate for the Golden Keys of Great Britain and Treasurer of the Golden Keys of Great Britain in addition to being a member for over 40 years.  He is currently an active member of the Les Clefs d’Or, USA.

Fluent in four languages, including Spanish, French and Italian, Robert’s international perspective began during his childhood where he was raised in both Uruguay and Costa Rica, and attended a French school before settling back in the United Kingdom to begin his illustrious career.  Now based in Washington DC with his wife Paula and son Brooks, Robert Watson offers each guest an in-depth knowledge of Washington DC with a professional and pleasant demeanor.

 Vadim Bekker is currently the Managing Partner at Vibe Hospitality in Bangkok, Thailand.  In this podcast, Vadim talks about his experience in the Thai hospitality field and why he has no plans to leave this beautiful country.  After working in the Maldives as a Guest Relations Officer, Vadim chose Thailand to pursue his career path and has been working there for over 10 years.  He describes the hospitality scene in Thailand and why the country continues to attract tourists from all over the world.

Vadim also explains the reasons for creating his own company and pursuing his entrepreneurial goals with the creation of Vibe Hospitality, a service provider and advisory specialised in food and beverage for new and existing businesses in South East Asia.  Vibe Hospitality offers practical solutions based on a company’s needs, budget, expectations and objectives. The company’s core value is to create strong concepts, competitive business models and genuine success.

Finally, Vadim talks about the importance of maintaining his alumni connections in Thailand and why he still enjoys frequent get-togethers with his former classmates.  In addition, Vadim gives our listeners advice on pursuing a global career in hospitality and the many reasons why he is happy to have embraced this career path.

Vadim Bekker is a graduate of Glion Institute of Hospitality in Switzerland and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration.  He has worked in Food and Beverage in The Maldives and Thailand and has held several management positions.  In 2020, Vadim became a managing partner at Vibe Hospitality.

Andrew Parshukov is currently the Head of Business Growth at JetRockets, a forward-thinking company specializing in custom web and mobile application development across various industries.  In this podcast, Andrew talks about his career path from studying hospitality in Switzerland and working in the hospitality field to teaching in Vietnam and developing his passion for technology and AI.  

Andrew gives our listeners some insight into how AI is revolutionizing the hospitality field and what to expect in the coming years.  Andrew assures our listeners that AI will never replace the “human touch” that so many customers value but instead will improve customer service and make travel and tourism more appealing.

Andrew is a versatile professional known for his determination and commitment to finding solutions. With a unique approach to problem-solving, he embraces challenges head-on, vowing to find answers when faced with uncertainty. Currently, Andrey serves as the Head of Business Growth at JetRockets.  In this role, he dedicates his efforts to elevating business processes, assisting clients in launching new projects, and contributing to the company's overall growth. 

His enthusiasm for his work is palpable, and he enjoys surrounding himself with like-minded tech enthusiasts. Andrey's professional journey has been marked by significant achievements and diverse experiences: 10 years in hospitality worldwide, English teaching in Vietnam, and Business Development in the Tech industry.

Ursula Connolly is the founder and Managing Director of People Skills Business. She has more than 30 years experience in developing and motivating individuals and companies to achieve successful results.  In this podcast, Ursula tells our listeners about how she works with internationally respected organisations to help them align the development of their employees with their brand and strategic business objectives. She describes how her main focus is to help organisations engage and develop their people so that they in turn deliver great customer service and achieve desired business results.

In 2004, Ursula established People Skills Business.  People Skills Business partners with companies in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry who are passionate about equipping and enabling their people to deliver great work and exceptional service to customers. Their mission is to put learning at the heart of the business by providing bespoke leadership and executive coaching programmes that are easily accessible to all and encourage a culture of continuous learning.

Ursula comments on what makes a great hospitality leader, the role of women in the current hospitality field, the challenges facing hospitality in the future and how businesses can attract and retain young people by providing more learning and development and not shying away from hard truths. 

Ursula has led multi-cultural teams and managed large-scale projects across Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. Her breadth of knowledge of Human Resources and the international service industry make her well equipped to work with senior management to help them recognise and solve key business issues.

She has been recognised and won awards for her work with Maybourne Hotel Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and InterContinental Hotel Group from Personnel Today and World of Learning Awards.

Ursula has a Masters in Human Resource Strategy from London Metropolitan University, a Diploma in Hotel Management and Business from Technological University Dublin and is a qualified Time to Think Coach. She is also highly experienced as a programme manager, designer, facilitator  and presenter.

To learn more about People Skills Business click here: https://www.peopleskillsbusiness.com and here: https://vimeo.com/739985876

Vanessa Kellerhals currently works in Iraq for the UNDP (United Nation Development Programme) but little in her career path would hint at her one day working in peacebuilding and development. 

 In this podcast, Vanessa explains how she went from working at the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich, winning the AICR world’s best receptionist in 2010 and then onto Lebanon to learn Arabic.  From there, she moved back to Switzerland to pursue her studies in Social Sciences.  After finishing her Master’s degree and trying to gain a foothold in peacebuilding and development during the pandemic, she was thrilled to learn that she was chosen to work for the UNDP in Iraq.

 Vanessa’s credo of “embrace the chaos” has been useful while working in the hospitality field and most certainly in her current position as the Programme Officer of the UNDP Social Cohesion Team in Baghdad.  Iraq’s recent history has been marked by many devastating conflicts and much of the UNDP’s work revolves around working with international partners as well as the government of Iraq to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, bring back displaced people to their homes, and support in laying the foundation for development in the country.  “Social Cohesion work” includes all projects aiming to support people from different backgrounds to live together peacefully and to be accepting of each other.

 Vanessa describes how her hospitality career prepared her for her current profession.  She describes some of the hospitality transferable skills such as customer care and service, interpersonal communication, teamwork, decision making and crisis management that are skills she can use in her daily development and peacebuilding work.

In this podcast, Razvan Pirjol, CEO of Turism Felix and the owner of Leading Choice, a global hospitality counselling company in Romania, answers our questions about the hospitality and tourism industry in Romania and gives his insights on current hospitality education and training opportunities.  A Glion Hospitality graduate, Razvan ended up spending several years in Switzerland and he talks to us about this unique experience, how it influenced his career choices and why he still has a strong connection to the Montreux region.  

Romania is home to historically rich architecture, jaw-dropping landscapes, and gorgeous cities. It’s less expensive than most European travel destinations, less crowded and it is considered one of the safest countries in Europe.  In 2019, over 13 million tourists visited Romania.  Razvan describes the growing appeal of Romania as a Central European destination and how the government and tourism boards should welcome and improve their hospitality and tourism offerings. As the former Secretary of State for Tourism, Foreign Trade & Investment, Razvan has an insider’s view of the challenges that Romania faces and gives our listeners his ideas on what direction Romania is headed.  

Razvan also answers our questions about why Romania has become an appealing destination for many university students and how its renowned and exceptional academic standards have made it specifically attractive with regards to its Faculty of Medicine.  

Finally, Razvan gives us his suggestions for improving hospitality education and training in Romania and how he believes synergies can be created to meet the current hospitality and tourism challenge.

Razvan Pirjol is the current CEO of Turism Felix and Owner of Leading Choice - Global Hospitality Counsellors in Romania.  Razvan studied International Hospitality and Tourism Management at Glion Institute of Education in Switzerland and he has 30+ years of hands-on experience in international hospitality management with a focus on operations, education, training and quality management at both the corporate and entrepreneurial levels.  In addition, Razvan was the former Secretary of State for Tourism, Foreign Trade & InvestRomania at the Ministry of Economy, Romania.

In this podcast we speak to Aoife McArdle, an Innovation & Disruption Expert. Aoife was an early leader in the most disruptive industries the world has seen in the last 20 years. She was a key initiator and driver of rapid growth at Airbnb (travel and hospitality), Skype (telecommunications) and Apple (music, e-commerce). 

 Aoife shares her personal stories as a host on Airbnb before she began working there and how the company’s mission and values won her over. It’s hard to think of a more quintessential story in disruption than Airbnb — the global platform that changed the way we think about staying in other people’s homes, which disrupted an incumbent industry. It pivoted and thrived during the pandemic and floated 3 years ago with a market cap of over $80bn. 

 At Airbnb, Aoife pioneered and expanded regulations for home sharing and spearheaded cross-functional efforts that resulted in the implementation of some of the first ever home-sharing laws in the world. She shares some remarkable anecdotes with our listeners and describes some unforeseen experiences in meetings she had with city officials who were concerned with how Airbnb would change the local tourism scene. 

 After 4 years as General Counsel EMEA, Aoife became a founding leader of Airbnb’s Experiences business, leading Business Affairs, Social Impact and Diversity & Inclusion. She also initiated, led and closed Airbnb’s largest global partnership, a 10-year landmark deal with the International Olympic Committee, which will drive economic empowerment opportunities for millions of hosts, athletes and local communities during the next 4 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

She is an expert at navigating complex policy and risk for disruptive companies that are expanding globally and will share her take on what companies need to consider when they have to make difficult trade-offs between scale and risk. Aoife previously worked as European Legal Counsel at Apple and as Global Head of Commercial & Regulatory Affairs at Skype. During her time at Apple and at Skype, Aoife also saw huge growth and scale in her role including the launch of the iPod and the first partnership that enabled Skype on mobile. 

 Aoife is an Advisor and Board Member in the USA and Europe, as well as an angel investor. She coaches entrepreneurs and founders, prioritizing female and minority founded companies.

In this podcast, Brigitte Lawler from Swiss4Africa describes the work that their non-profit organization, registered in Bern, Switzerland, is currently doing in South Africa. They work with small NPO’s in South Africa to break the cycle of poverty,addressing four of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

They were founded by 5 members a year ago and at the time of founding, three of its members were based in Switzerland while the other two are on the ground in South Africa. 

 They work with local communities to identify their greatest needs and implement a 2-pronged approach by fixing the most urgent short-term needs and building sustainable models for the long term to get them to a point of being self-sustainable. 

 Their self-sustainable model depends on what best suits a particular community. Swiss4Afrika has realised that these models need to have certain elements: 

1. Create an ability to generate income / provide resources to the community so they are not reliant on donations. 
2. Develops skills for members of the community that they can apply to contribute to their community well-being. These skills should be transferable so that it enables them to be employable outside of the community. 
3. Creates employment opportunities and experience building for members while they are living in the community. 

 One of their communities is called Soli Deo Gloria Care Centre (Soli), based in Lydenburg. Swiss4Afrika formed an alliance with a global organisation called Meals on Wheels, a type of soup kitchen for the frail and poor in the area. With this alliance, they will be able to train people in kitchen skills and provide a much needed service to the local population.

 Randel van Heerden, Director of Swiss4Afrika: 

Randel has volunteered in some interesting places around the world. In South Africa he volunteered as a policeman to assist investigations in crimes committed against children. Randel moved to the Philippines with his wife and volunteered to build a school for the poor on a garbage dump in Manila. 

With others, he assisted in delivering aid to affected people each time a typhoon blew through Manila.  In Guatemala he assisted an NGO called Constru Casa to build homes for the poor.  In the Ivory Coast, Randel headed up a team of volunteers who helped to renovate the Abidjan zoo. He was sponsored by the Swiss and German embassies as well as the Calao Foundation in Luxembourg, the San Diego Zoo in the USA and private donors. In 2022, Randel and his wife moved to Switzerland and started Swiss4Afrika.

 Brigitte Lawler, Director of Swiss4Afrika: 

Brigitte Lawler is the founder of Legenda solutions-focused consultancy specializing in business growth, scaling tech companies and transforming business for the digital world. Having worked in more than 30 countries and lived in 4, Brigitte has developed a global perspective to business in different markets. Brigitte is able to draw on experience as a Global Transformation Manager across several business and functional areas, as well as adapting those skills and competencies in the world of Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups. As a founding member and director of a Non-Profit Organisation, Brigitte equally applies her expertise on organizational, process and people development in an effort to alleviate poverty. Key-note speaker and author. 

In this podcast, João de Saldanha describes his path from hospitality to the world of finance and investment.  Despite some early disappointments, João was able to move forward and he shares his insights into how difficulties can be turned into opportunities for growth and success.  He also explains how his hospitality training was a powerful tool for his future career and how a hospitality education gives you the transferable skills that can be used in many industries and fields.  In addition, João describes the common characteristics between hospitality and finance.

 João also speaks to our listeners about the importance of self-discovery, determination and resilience and how he was inspired to create a new project called "We Accelerate Prosperity" when COVID hit back in 2020.

 João de Saldanha is a Portuguese adventurer thriving in the vibrant streets of London.  He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and he took the leap into starting his own business at the age of 27. Throughout his journey, he experienced the thrill of success, but also faced the bitter taste of failure. Not once, but twice, his businesses failed, testing his resilience and determination.
 
During those challenging times, he often daydreamed about a different path—a path where he could create a diverse investment portfolio that would provide him with a consistent income and occasional capital gains. The only problem was, he didn't know where to start or how to navigate this new territory.
 
 Thankfully, destiny intervened when a friend introduced him to a personal development program that resonated deeply with him. It was a moment of clarity and he realised that he had to embark on a journey of self-discovery, focusing on both his mindset and financial intelligence. He devoured books, watched enlightening videos, attended empowering conferences and seminars and sought guidance from coaches and mentors. With every step, he began constructing the blueprint for his dream—a portfolio of investments that would reward him with regular dividends.
 
 But he didn't want to keep this newfound knowledge and success to himself and he felt an overwhelming desire to share it with others.  Over the years, as he honed his skills and implemented effective strategies, he discovered his true calling—to empower and uplift others on their own financial journeys.
 
 Since 2012, he has been immersed in the world of business, investments and start-ups. Through his guidance, he has helped many individuals increase their wealth to over €1 million. Witnessing their transformations and witnessing their lives change for the better has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

In this podcast, Puneet Baijal talks to us about the current tourism and hospitality trends in India and more specifically in the Gujrat region where he is currently the General Manager of the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in Ahmedabad.  He shares his passion for hospitality and describes how Indian culture plays a big role in the way Indians welcome guests and tourists to their country.  We ask him to explain why India has always been a popular tourist destination and continues to capture so many travelers’ hearts.

 Puneet also explains how India is preparing young people for the industry and what can be done to improve hospitality education and increase the number of qualified staff for the future.  We also ask him how he foresees the future of hospitality in India and the challenges that the industry will face in the coming years.

 Puneet Baijal is currently the General Manager at the luxurious five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujrat India.  The Hotel has been and continues to host many Presidents, Prime Ministers and global state dignitaries.  With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, predominantly in the Middle East and India, Puneet has led diverse teams of up to 48 different nationalities to deliver successful business initiatives.  He helped to secure the Best Hotel of the year in 2017 and the Best Upcoming Hotel awards for the Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh in 2018.  

 Puneet has repeatedly been recognised for exceptional performance: Leading F&B Director/Best GM - Hyatt, India; Best GM in Middle East - Hyatt, Doha, and Best GCC Business Leader - Roda Al Bustan, Dubai.  He has consistently achieved 95%+ in employee satisfaction scores and maintained the lowest staff attrition rate.
 
 He has also been the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee leader, arranging outreach to NGO’s and underprivileged sectors of the community to share the hotel’s luxury features and offer employment opportunities.
 
 
 

Jacquy Pfeiffer embodies the French pastry chef’s persona with style and grace and shares his many career choices and experiences across the world.  From his native Alsace to Chicago via California, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Brunei and Hong Kong, Jacquy has brought his pastry magic to the many places he has worked.  He explains how he started as a young apprentice in the Alsace region and the importance of hard work, a strong sense of perfectionism and a good dose of humility when it comes to creating his signature pastries.  He also describes the artistry and creative focus needed to become a sought-after pastry chef.  Jacquy has shared his pastry passion with many and has co-authored several books. In addition, he created a pastry school in Chicago with Chef Sébastien Canonne, where they trained thousands of professional pastry chefs. 

Baking is Jacquy’s passion. He comes from a long lineage of family bakers. He started learning the craft like many do, at a young age, in his father’s kitchen.  This is where he learned that when you can make a beautiful croissant or a baguette, you bring joy and happiness to others.
 
 What drives Jacquy is not just to be the best at his craft, but also to share his passion with others. Twenty-five years ago, he co-founded The French Pastry School  in Chicago with Chef Sébastien Canonne.  He is happy that all the pastry chefs they have trained can, in turn, bring joy and happiness to many more people.

More recently, they have taken their 25 years of instructional knowledge and have put it into an online, on-demand, educational format that allows both enthusiasts and professionals to build on their knowledge in Baking and Pastry Arts.  This is available through The Butter Book (www.thebutterbook.com) which offers an on demand online education as well as their partnership with Rouxbe (www.rouxbe.com) which offers a wide range of educational programs in Pastries and Breads. 

 In this podcast, Francesca Palazuelos talks to us about Mexican hospitality and her passion for food.  She describes her early forays into the Food and Beverage side of hospitality while working in Kenya and Brazil.  Her passion for food eventually led her back to her native country, Mexico, where she has worked in the industry since 2011.

 Francesca shares some lively anecdotes about her first internship and gives her advice to young people who are just starting out in the business.  With humour and a good dose of humility, she also shares her challenges with learning accounting and cost management and how she turned these challenges into success by authoring a Cost Management book in Spanish.

 Finally, she shares her ideas hospitality recruitment and trends and how she sees the future of hospitality. 

Francesca Palazuelos embarked on her hospitality journey with a deep passion for the field, commencing her education at the renowned Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, where she had the privilege of learning from the best in the industry. Her career has taken her to various corners of the world, including internships at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo in Brazil and the Mexican embassy in Nairobi, Kenya; experiences that instilled in her a profound appreciation for the industry. 

Over the years, Francesca has been fortunate to work with some of Mexico's well-known restaurant chains, including Grupo Cinbersol, Banquetes Susana Palazuelos, Liverpool (Experiencia Gourmet), and Giornale. In a testament to her dedication and hard work, she found herself entrusted with the role of Director of Operations at the age of 28, overseeing 16 restaurants and a team of 400 employees. 

One notable achievement in her career was her involvement in the introduction and adaptation of Magnolia Bakery to the Mexican market. Francesca is now a consultant, offering her insights to more than 10 companies, including yacht clubs, vineyards, and boutique hotels in Punta Mita and Zihuatanejo, spanning various concepts such as fine dining, large café chains, sushi, seafood casual, and concept restaurants, among others. 

Francesca has authored a book titled "Recetas para el Éxito," aimed at providing practical advice on cost management, purchasing, and inventory control for restaurateurs, drawing from her hands-on experience. She remains committed to her passion for the culinary world and strives to make a positive contribution to the industry. 

Claude Achaume has been working as the private rooms manager for the exclusive 5 Hertford Street Private Club in London for several years and in this podcast, he shares his experiences and some interesting anecdotes that have made headlines!  Claude describes how his years at the iconic Connaught Hotel in London shaped his sense of hospitality and taught him the importance of discretion and tactfulness.  

 While working at the Connaught, Claude met actors, royalty, celebrities and politicians and he describes some of his most memorable moments.  He tells our listeners why the Connaught was unique and highly appreciated by its guests.  

 After the Connaught, Claude moved on to the London Ritz where he continued his Food and Beverage career there until 1991.  It was Mr. Julian Payne, the former manager at the London Ritz and a much-appreciated mentor, who introduced Claude to the London private club scene and gave him the opportunity to start working for them.

 Claude shares his hospitality acumen, his values and why he hasn’t considered retirement as of yet.  As a Frenchman living in England for many years, Claude tells us why he appreciates London and why he decided to come back from France after working eight years at the Château de la Pioline in Aix en Provence.  Claude also tells us why it’s no longer easy to find experienced and dedicated staff and how he has seen the hospitality field struggle, change and evolve.

We also ask Claude to share his ideas on how the private club niche is just one of the many places young people can aspire to work and what skills are needed for this kind of employment.

Finally, Claude talks about how 5 Hertford Street Private Club welcomed guests as part of the Coronation of Charles celebration in May of this year.  Understanding royal protocol is just one of the many reasons  why Claude is a very popular, admired and treasured hospitality expert.

In this podcast, Cathleen Cain, explains why many hospitality businesses are not accessible for people with limited mobility and what hospitality businesses can do to improve this.  In her opinion, some simple, inexpensive changes can make a world of difference.  Cathleen has travelled around the world and in this podcast, she describes the particular challenges she has had to face as a paraplegic in a wheelchair.   

As a California native living in Switzerland, Cathleen went from an accessibility friendly environment in the USA to limited accessibility in Europe.  She also explains that accessibility isn’t just about physical improvements, but attitudes towards people with limited mobility.  Although she has seen some major improvements, Cathleen thinks that many places need to be more pro-active and sensitive to limited mobility issues.

Cathleen Cain has a Master’s in Mental Health and is a certified Somatic Experiencing therapist.  After 18 years as a licensed psychotherapist in the US, Cathleen Cain moved to Switzerland in 2006. The driving force in her work is to help others find or re-find ease and comfort in their being.  Her own journey of healing after a traumatic accident 40 years ago had her searching for a therapist who had both psychological and body work skills.  As these professionals are difficult to find, studying both somatic and cognitive approaches to help others re-establish their equilibrium has been her focus. She works in English and French.

With 30 years of experience in mental health as a body-oriented therapist, Cathleen enjoys creating a safe environment for explorations that lead to personal solutions. The approach she has developed taps into her clients' existing resources.

Her professional training includes Somatic Experiencing, Soma Embodiment, EMDR, Solution Focused and Milne Cranio-Sacral training.

Her personal interests are dance, sports, meditation, nature experiences as well as reading, bee keeping and family.

Francesco Bonotto has been the manager of the legendary Venice-Simplon Orient Express for over five years.  In his own words: “I am the Hotel Manager of a 5-star hotel moving on rail tracks across 5 different countries with an international luxurious clientele looking for a lifetime experience.  A very wide knowledge and a multitasking mind set are necessary tools to cover such a role. Additionally, the variables involved in the operations are many and most of the time, unforeseen.”  Francesco discusses the importance of making sure the guests have a unique, unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience. 

 In this podcast he shares some memorable moments and the particular challenges he has had to face. We also discuss the literary and cinematic legacy of this mythical train and what guests are looking for when they board.  

 Francesco describes his professional path and what led him to this remarkable hospitality position.  Several years working in China allowed Francesco to gain invaluable experience and knowledge of another culture and in this podcast, he talks about his time spent there.

 Francesco Bonotto in an experienced Operations Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverage industry. He is skilled in catering, the hospitality industry, multi-unit management and restaurants. He has strong business development experience and a Bachelor’s degree focused on Business Administration in Hospitality from GLION institute for Higher Education in Switzerland.

In this podcast, chocolatier Aditi Malhotra Ahooja shares her unique path from her childhood in New York City, to a Swiss hospitality school and onto becoming a successful entrepreneur.  Aditi talks about her family’s love and support, learning to become a pastry chef, some inevitable bumps along the way and her passion for chocolate.  She describes how her labor of love, Tache Chocolates, came into being.

Tache Chocolate was founded by pastry chef Aditi Malhotra Ahooja. Her delicious and unique chocolates draw inspiration from her travels around the world and her Indian background. Each bite sized treat tells a story and captivates the senses! Aditi describes them as a “Journey of the Senses”

She is a graduate of The Glion Hotel School in Switzerland and The French Culinary Institute. Aditi first started her career working under acclaimed pastry chef Pichet Ong and then went on to work as a Japanese chef at Morimoto. Aditi had an opportunity to learn from a chocolatier in Paris before opening her own storefront in NYC. 

Since opening Tache in 2012, Aditi and her chocolates have taken the confectionary world by storm.  She was the winner of Zagat’s 30 Under 30 Award and selected as one of Forbes 30 under 30 game changers in Food & Wine.  She competed twice as Forbes best young chef in America as the only dessert chef invited. 

All of Tache’s creations are handcrafted in her mini Willy Wonkaesque factory and are handmade from the finest ingredients in the world. Tache is also famous for its chocolate-making classes, which have gained the attention from the New York Times and Time Out Kids.  

Her chocolates have been featured in The New York Times, Time Out, TV Asia, The Huffington Post, The Village Voice, Business Insider, Food and Wine, InStyle Magazine, Gotham Magazine and an HSBC commercial.

Tache’s name comes from the French word “tache” which means spot or smudge. When it comes to Aditi, she always has a “tache” of chocolate smeared all over her chef’s coat. There was no other option then to name it after the evidence of a whimsical chocolatier!

In this podcast, Marina Franolic talks about hospitality in Croatia, a popular Mediterranean destination with rave reviews.  Marina explains why Croatia has become a favourite tourist destination and why so many tourists return there for their holidays.

Marina also discusses her work at The Bench, a global investment event organization and hospitality trends and innovations such as long-term stay that are focused on travellers that would like to be more comfortable in their accommodation, or are staying for a week, a month or more in the city. 

Marina also speaks about lifestyle hotels that are particularly attractive to younger travellers who want to experience the local atmosphere even within the hotel. Lifestyle brands bring the community inside by creating different rooms and social spaces and also serving the local clientele.

Finally, Marina talks about the future of hospitality and the importance of sustainability and gender equality and what the industry needs to do to improve on these vital topics.

Marina Franolic is the Managing Director at The Bench, a global hospitality investment event organiser. Marina joined in 2019 when her Adria Hotel Forum – now IDEEA Hospitality Investment Forum, was acquired by The Bench. 

Marina began her hospitality career at the Glion Institute of Higher and the Hotel Savoy, Rocco Forte group, in Florence. After several years outside of the hospitality industry, in 2012, she established her company with the goal of bringing global trends to the regional industry. 

In 2013, Adria Hotel Forum was launched with the idea of showcasing world trends, sparking the creation of new ideas and partnerships and overall development of the hotel industry. Within years, AHF was confirmed to be the only internationally recognized hotel investment conference within South-Eastern Europe whose partners were global companies. The company then started another unique event with the goal of bringing trends into everyday hotel operations – HOW /Hotel Operations Weekend/ Festival that gathers every year more than 500 participants. In 2018, the company was rebranded as HESA Group and served as the connoisseur of the regional market and opportunities. 

In addition, Marina serves as the Industry Advisory Board Member at Glion Institute of Higher Education and holds both Croatian and Italian citizenship.

In this podcast, Philippe Rey-Westlund and Byron Rey-Westlund talk about their labor of love and fine dining with the creation of Underground Dining at Naglee Park in the Silicon Valley.  We learn about how this idea was born, how it blossomed into a full-time job for its creative chef Byron and how Philippe’s family history of running a hotel and restaurant in Crans-Montana, Switzerland helped him to become the welcoming host for an eclectic clientele.

Both Byron and Philippe talk about their travel and dining experiences and how cuisine from different places influenced Byron’s culinary explorations and dishes.  With humour and a touch of irreverence, they describe some of their underground dining events, give advice to people who may be interested in creating an Underground Dining venue and their favourite places to go for Underground Dining.

Byron Westlund Jr. grew up in Cupertino, California surrounded by fruit orchards. Cupertino, before becoming the Apple Corp. headquarters was a small village one hour south of San Francisco populated mostly by Italian and Mexican immigrants. There he was introduced early to the delicious tasty layers of ancestral Mexican cuisine. 

After college, Byron worked in technology and with the responsibilities of holding leadership positions, he was afforded the opportunity to travel the world for business. As an adventurous and curious person, Byron would explore the food scene everywhere he landed. With offices and staff he would visit, on an almost monthly basis, Grenoble, Lyon, Geneva, Mexico City, Tokyo and Singapore.  Byron would go out of his way to sample all local tastes and traditional dishes. 

Upon his return home to Silicon Valley, he would spend hours recreating the flavours and structures of the dishes he so loved while out in the world. Underground Dining at Naglee Park was inevitable and for ten years, became Byron's retirement-from-technology job, but much more fun and creative. Byron loves nothing more than welcoming friends and family to his table and to share with them his passion and love for good, heart-warming, soul-lifting food and good times.

 Dr. Philippe Rey is the Executive Director of ACS in the Silicon Valley, California.  He first joined Adolescent Counseling Services in 1998 as Caravan House Program Director. After three years at Caravan, he became a member of the executive team as Associate Director and has now been the agency's Executive Director since 2004. 

Philippe was born and raised in the French-speaking region of Switzerland and came to the United States in 1984 to attend the University of California at San Diego. In 1997, his doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in child and family therapy was conferred by Alliant International University in San Diego. Before pursuing graduate studies and a career in psychology, Philippe graduated from business school in Sion, Switzerland. 

 With his husband Byron, Philippe operated an "Underground Dining" establishment which served as a cultivation & fundraising vehicle for ACS since 2011.1

In this podcast, Mohammed Marghalani, currently the Saudi Chief of Franchised Assets Operations for PIF Hospitality Projects, talks to us about the enormous changes that have occurred over the past five years in the Saudi hospitality field.  With over 18 years in the hospitality field and an MBA from the Ecole Hotelière de Lausanne, Mohammed also discusses Swiss Hospitality education and how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is bringing best educational practices to hospitality schools there.

 Mohammed also shares his passion for hospitality and describes how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is moving quickly to meet the hospitality and tourism demands that the country is facing.  The Vision 2030 project is focusing on opening up new destinations for tourists and creating unforgettable experiences for them.  

 Finally, Mohammed discusses the efforts the Kingdom has made to be more open and to project a more modern image of their country. He also discusses the work opportunities for women in Saudi hospitality and what is being done to promote their employment.

 Mohammed Marghalani is currently the Saudi Chief of Franchised Assets Operation at one of the PIF hospitality projects. He has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He was the former Cluster General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and Jeddah where he managed and oversaw the overall operations and strategic direction of the five-star property that consists of 493 rooms and suites, including its nine dining outlets. 

 Mohammed joined The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh as a member of the pre-opening guidance team in 2011 in the role of Assistant Director of Finance. Prior to this, he had a progressive and successful career with other well-known luxury brands. In January 2020 Mr. Marghalani became the General Manager for the iconic property and drove it successfully through the Covid -19 crisis and the return to its normal phases while achieving impressive results financially and qualitatively.  He was recently awarded the best General Manager in Ritz-Carlton globally for 2023. 

 Marghalani began his educational career by acquiring a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management in 2006 from Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland. After that, Mohammed went on to advance his knowledge in the field by obtaining his MBA with a concentration in hospitality management from the Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne in Switzerland. He was also enrolled with the Marriot Ascent Leadership Program at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in the United States to thrive and grow his leadership skills. 

 Marghalani has several leadership qualifications - he is a member of the Saudi Council of Leaders,  and he has been one of the participants in the first version of the Leaders 2030 Program for the MiSK  Foundation. This program has over 1000 leaders who contribute to achieving the goals and strategies of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

In this episode, we talk to Yannick Bouyidou, whose hospitality career with Ritz-Carlton led him to work on four different continents in different leadership positions.  Currently, Yannick wears several hospitality hats including entrepreneur, mentor, guest speaker, philanthropist and educator.  Yannick has a 360 -degree vision of the current hospitality trends and business stakes and understands how business, performance, excellence in customer service, technology, and innovation can go hand in hand with philanthropy and giving back to society.

 Yannick also discusses how to interest and motivate young people to join the ever-changing hospitality environment and best practices when it comes to training and retaining young talents.  Yannick has an contagious passion for hospitality training and education while recognizing the importance of matching knowledgeable and dedicated hospitality educators with young minds.

 Yannick Bouyidou, MBA, is a driven, multi-lingual hospitality professional turned entrepreneur who holds a bachelor's in Hospitality Management and an MBA in Business Transformation & Entrepreneurship. Yannick worked for over a decade for the luxury hotel chain The Ritz-Carlton, holding various leadership positions on 4 continents tasked with improving customer experience, employee engagement, and ultimately financial performance.

 Today, Yannick decided to reinvent himself with a vision of giving back by sharing his passion and expertise in customer success strategies and entrepreneurship with recipients such as industry experts, startup founders, and students around the world. 

 Yannick co-founded two companies and is actively involved in the Swiss start-up ecosystem, working as a judge & mentor for MassChallenge Switzerland, leader in helping startups across Europe grow their businesses by accelerating nearly 400 startups across multiple industries (+CHF 196M in funding). 

 Today, Yannick’s mission is to create an ecosystem of products and services that allows individuals and companies to achieve their personal goals by collaborating and sharing a meaningful journey together.

Winner of the Best Swiss Receptionist Bucherer trophy in 2015, Judith Malavallon went from working in an iconic BEAU RIVAGE Palace to becoming a teacher at the school she attended in Switzerland.   After a management change, she continued teaching at another prestigious Hospitality School in Lausanne.  But Judith is a firm believer in having a healthy work/life balance and having children has allowed her to see other options available to someone with a hospitality background.

 In this podcast, Judith discusses what it was like to compete for Best Receptionist and what she learned from the experience.  She also talks frankly about the position of hotel receptionist and the challenges young women can face in front office positions when they decide to have a family. 

 Finally, Judith describes her new career path as a career coach and how her hospitality background has tied in with this new position.  She ends this podcast with advice and suggestions for young people getting into the hospitality field.

 Judith Malavallon has a hospitality management background and worked several years as a hotel receptionist in Switzerland. In 2015 she won the Bucherer Trophy for Switzerland’s Best Receptionist and the contest gave her the ticket to the worldwide contest in Vienna, where she finished 2nd runner up. For several professional reasons, Judith left her position at the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne and decided to pursue a different challenge. 

 She became a hospitality instructor at Glion Institute of Higher Education and this was where her passion for training and coaching was officially put into practice.  After a few years and a change in management she left hospitality education and did some coaching for a luxury car company to improve their service, especially at front desks and for after-sale service. 

 Judith was recruited to work at EHL as a front desk instructor and she trained students in practice and in theory for front office and housekeeping operations. 

 When Covid-19 arrived and changed everyone’s life, her priorities evolved and she realized that her professional situation no longer matched her personal family situation, vision and values.  She spent time self-reflecting about what professional field and job would fit with her new role as a mother and wife.  She did a skills assessment at Ingeus in Lausanne and in the end, she became an employment coach there.  Her daily tasks include coaching one-to-one with people looking for a job as well as giving workshops about various topics useful when in job search.  As she likes to remind us, what is essential is to have a work-life balance.