Four voices, one vision: The women shaping Kempinski Hotel Muscat

Living abroad builds character. It challenges you, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and gives you opportunities to become a version of yourself that you might not have been able to achieve at home.

Ahead of Women’s International Day, STERNA caught up with four women from four different countries – each with the same passion and ambition. Originally from Indonesia, South Africa, Lebanon, and Oman, they have flourished in their careers at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Oman.

Keep reading to find out more about each woman’s inspiring journey, and the positive and powerful impact of diverse leadership.

Inclusive leadership cultivates change

Omani culture is deeply rooted in values of respect, responsibility, and integrity, values of which have shaped Nadine Al Bulushi as a leader. She broke the glass ceiling by becoming the first Omani woman to hold a General Manager (GM) position in Oman at the end of 2024.

Al Bulushi leads Kempinski Hotel Muscat with empathy and perspective, understanding that the ability to read a room, understand unspoken concerns, and anticipate needs are not soft skills, but commercial ones. She tells us how understanding your people helps a leader build strong teams, make better decisions and deliver consistent guest experiences.

Nadine Al Bulushi, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Muscat

“Running a flagship property is demanding. It requires commercial clarity, operational discipline, and a deep understanding of people. I stepped into this role to make a statement and to empower young women out there to always dream big and reach your dreams, but also because I was prepared, experienced, and ready to deliver.

“If there is one thing I am mindful of, it is the responsibility to lead well. Not as a female GM, but as a good GM. When standards are high, results are strong, and teams are empowered, the message becomes very clear. Capability has no gender,” expresses Al Bulushi.

Al Bulushi believes in lifting capability wherever you see it and giving people the confidence to grow into their potential. Since stepping into the role of GM, she has found that when people feel genuinely supported and trusted, they don’t just perform, they commit from a place of accountability, pride, and respect.

“Nadine’s appointment was such a powerful moment. It sent a clear message that leadership here is built on capability, vision, and integrity, regardless of gender. What changed wasn’t just who felt seen, but how people began to believe in possibility. It encouraged a culture of openness, collaboration, and shared ambition, where people support one another’s growth and success. When leadership is inclusive, everyone grows, and that’s the shift that truly lasts,” shares Deandra Shivana, Head of Marketing at Kempinski Hotel Muscat.

Early careers and ambitious dreams

Shivana grew up with both parents working in the hospitality industry in Indonesia. Working in operations, her father would often have to work at the weekend and would often bring Shivana along. She recalls walking beside him during his room inspections, watching how he checked every detail with care. “Seeing that level of pride and precision left a lasting impression on me. That was when I first fell in love with hospitality,” she reminisces.

Deandra Shivana, Head of Marketing, Kempinski Hotel Muscat

From being part of the pre-opening of an ultra-luxury resort in Bali, to then being promoted to lead another luxury resort on the island during the pandemic, Shivana learned speed, discipline, and resilience from the start of her career. Wanting to grow faster and challenge herself further, she moved to Abu Dhabi to work in ultra-luxury resorts on a larger and more demanding scale. Within seven months there, she was recognised as one of the best in-house PR people in 2023. She moved to Oman and joined Kempinski Hotel Muscat to grow professionally and personally, in a destination she describes as a place “where culture, authenticity, and luxury coexist.”

Originally from Lebanon, Maryana Dbaissy was also drawn to Oman due to the Sultanate’s commitment to authentic hospitality. Her passion for hospitality is equally rooted in a lifelong appreciation for human connection and the meticulous art of guest experience. Following her Bachelor’s degree in tourism and hospitality from Lebanese University, she moved to Oman. “I believe a space is defined by its emotional impact. Growing up in a culture renowned for its warmth and that prioritises hospitality, I developed a deep pride in sharing my heritage while remaining eager to learn from global traditions,” says Dbaissy.

Maryana Dbaissy, Groups & Events Sales Manager, Kempinski Hotel Muscat

Learning about traditions and cultures around the world is a shared passion among expats. Hailing from South Africa, Carmen Venter had dreamed of travelling the world as an air hostess. After studying hospitality management, she moved to the Kruger National Park to work at the luxury safari lodges.

“It was an incredible “all-in-one” role. On any given day, I was a receptionist, a host, a driver, and a tour guide. While it was intense, it was the best foundation I could have asked for. It gave me a 360-degree view of how a business operates and taught me how to stay calm and professional regardless of the challenge,” shares Venter. Always ambitious about working internationally, she originally hoped experience with a world-class hospitality brand would pave the way towards top-tier global airlines. Instead, she found her calling in luxury hospitality on the ground in Oman.

Flourishing at Kempinski Hotel Muscat

Venter joined Kempinski Hotel Muscat as Hostess, her first international role. She was promoted to the Lady in Red, the hotel’s brand ambassador, before being selected for the Kempinski Flourish Program. The 18-month management initiative proved to be a pivotal milestone in Venter’s professional development.

“While my background was rooted in front office and food & beverage (F&B), the Flourish program moved me through every other department in the hotel. It took me ‘behind the curtain’ of areas like Finance, and Housekeeping, allowing me to understand the guest journey from every possible angle,” explains Venter. With this all-rounded experience, she found her niche. Upon graduating the program, she was promoted to Quality Manager.

Carmen Venter, Quality Manager, Kempinski Hotel Muscat

Similarly, Dbaissy joined the F&B department at Kempinski Hotel Muscat straight after graduating. With an aptitude for leadership and logistics, she was promoted to Assistant Banquet Manager, gaining experience in the art of high-pressure event execution.

Now as Groups & Events Sales Manager, she says: “I truly believe that every experience I’ve had at Kempinski has shaped the professional I am today. Over the past four years, this property has provided the challenges and opportunities that redirected my career toward leadership. That sense of development is exactly why I’ve remained so loyal and why I’m so fulfilled to be continuing my journey here.”

As GM, Al Bulushi feels the most important challenge is making sure the whole team is supported. She pays close attention to their wellbeing and always strives to create an environment where they feel genuinely supported. “When people are happy and feel valued, they work with passion and dedication, and our guests feel that energy immediately,” says Al Bulushi.

From starting in junior positions to now being leaders, Shivana, Venter and Dbaissy are all walking examples of the strong focus on development at Kempinski Hotel Muscat. “By keeping our approach human, supportive, and consistent, we’re creating a culture where the next generation of leaders feels encouraged, capable, and ready to step forward in their own way,” adds Al Bulushi.