Worldwide Hospitality Awards

I have experience in all stages of the real estate development process, with expertise in the fastest-growing segment, credibility within my network and responsibility for expansion in Central Europe.

As Development Manager, I have experience in all stages of the real estate development process, with expertise in the fastest-growing segment, credibility within my network and responsibility for expansion in Central Europe.
Ambition and dedication have been part of my journey since school years, where I engaged in extracurricular activities and majored in challenging subjects with outstanding academic results. While I had many interests, I chose hospitality hoping to make use of the five languages I speak, combined with my mathematical skills and my love for hosting people. The decision to study International Hospitality Management at the IUBH International University Bad Honnef proved to be right and I thrived especially in numbers-heavy subjects. I fought for an internship placement in the finance department of a pre-opening in Ajman, UAE, which marked the beginning of my personality transformation. Instead of analyzing historic numbers, I realized that I wanted to shape the future: my goal to work in development was born.
Thereafter I was completing my year abroad at Northern Arizona University, US, and mentally preparing for my next career steps. A job in real estate without any experience fit my ambitious attitude when I started out as an intern at Adina Apartment Hotels after graduation in October 2014.
A fascinating aspect of my work today is to contribute to the growth of our business. With each new project, we get the chance to create a place that our guests will love in the future. Staying in control of the players and the process is both challenging and fun: forecasting market growth, closing profitable deals, managing the execution of our standards during construction, developing the facilities and services, respecting the overall company strategy, and staying ahead of competition.
Signing a contract for a 140-room Adina Apartment Hotel in Geneva was my latest achievement of 2018. It required special effort not only because this property represents Adina’s market entry into Switzerland, but also because most communication is in French. After an intense period of only seven months, we signed a very profitable lease for a hotel that will establish our brand within the Swiss market.
My work is based on my three values: growth, passion, and honesty. In stressful times, they are my point of reference, helping me to stay approachable and authentic.
As the next step in my career, I am steering a new hotel concept creation tailored to the next generations and once, successfully launched, I will take over all development activities for the new brand. Growing the team, where I can help others to evolve through empathetic leadership is my primary goal in the mid-term. This summer, I started an MBA in Real Estate Management to broaden my understanding. After graduation, I would like to lecture myself to excite students about the real estate industry and shed light on its complexity.