29 WOTYA 2025 womanthismonth.com | JANUARY 2026 Winner of the Woman in Hospitality Leadership category at the Woman of the Year Awards, Ekaterina Akatcevich is a dedicated hospitality professional whose career spans frontline service to executive management across some of the world’s most respected luxury brands. With experience at Rocco Forte and Belmond, and more than a decade with Marriott International across Moscow, Qatar and Bahrain, she is recognised for championing service excellence, people development and purpose-led leadership. She currently serves as Director of Operations at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. What was a moment during the ceremony that felt most meaningful to you? The most meaningful moment was realising that years of commitment to hospitality, leadership and operational excellence were being acknowledged on a global platform. It was both humbling and deeply motivating. A very proud moment. Were there any reactions from family, team, or community that surprised you? I was especially touched by the messages from colleagues and teams I have worked with over the years. Many shared that they felt proud and personally connected to this recognition. Their support reinforced that leadership achievements in hospitality are always the result of collective effort and shared success. One particularly meaningful reaction came from Mr Bernard de Villele, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. As a truly inspiring and guiding leader, his genuine happiness for my achievement meant a great deal to me. His continued guidance and encouragement constantly motivate me to aim higher and strive for excellence. How has winning informed your priorities or plans since the awards night? This recognition has reinforced my focus on people development, strong operational standards and responsible leadership. It has also strengthened my commitment to contributing meaningfully to the future of the hospitality industry. How will you use the prize, platform, or network that came with this award? I see this platform as an opportunity to share my experience, support developing talent, and contribute to important industry conversations around career growth and inclusion in hospitality. I also want to support efforts that attract and retain talent, while promoting hospitality as a dynamic and meaningful long-term career choice. What concrete next steps or milestones are you committing to in the next 12 months? Over the next year, I plan to use my experience and visibility to inspire greater interest in the hospitality industry and highlight the value of professional growth within it. Encouraging women’s leadership remains a priority, alongside supporting initiatives that strengthen the image of the hotel business, uphold high standards and reinforce people-centred leadership. These efforts are intended to contribute to a positive and sustainable future for the industry. What is one piece of advice you would give to young women looking up to you now that you have won? Build your career with consistency, professionalism and integrity. Dream big, stay focused and work hard every day. Remember that nothing is impossible. My own journey, from Room Attendant to Director of Operations at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, shows that longterm success comes from dedication to people, purpose and vision.
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