DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION - EN

Thapelo first learned to cook by watching her father prepare meals 
for her family. She then pursued her passion for food and is now the Head Chef of Savute at Savute Elephant Lodge in Botswana. In her role, she brings authentic Setswana cuisine that epitomises farm-to-table eating to guests throughout their stay. A leader amongst her team, she is constantly praised for her joy and dedication. Today, she is most proud of how she gets to fuse fine dining with local and traditional cuisine for guests. Celebrating Botswana’s ingredients and cuisine is very important to her as it creates a platform to share their culture with the world. Her advice to young professionals who want to become chefs is to establish a pioneering mindset, as it helps to build their confidence and their ability to listen to and trust their instincts.

In 2019, I found my sanctuary in Belmond. My time with Belmond has been transformative. Living in remote locations, has reconnected me with my roots and instilled pride in my heritage, fuelling my desire to help others recognise their potential and be proud of their background. I aim to inspire women to see their heritage as a source of strength and embrace it with confidence, believing in a future where background does not define opportunity. Although the journey is long, I am committed to it.
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Coming from a society with limited roles for women, I always dreamt beyond those constraints. I want to make a meaningful impact – to push beyond traditional expectations and redefine what was possible.
We must continue raising awareness for equal opportunities, ensuring women are unafraid to make mistakes and carve new paths. My goal is to show that through hard work and resilience, we can create our own futures. You don’t need to be perfect, just true to yourself and your people.

As a passionate ambassador of Italian culture at Belmond, Natascia has pioneered iconic campaigns such as Il Dolce Far Niente and Villeggiatura and helped the property teams around Italy bring the essence and spirit of Italian culture to life. Natascia has been with Belmond for over fifteen years and has been a constant leader and innovator over her time here.

<br><br>When asked about the moment that has defined her career, Natascia says "“The reopening of Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel in 2021 was such an emotional and incredible project to launch. Coming out of the difficulties of the pandemic, being able to create a hype for this property with such strong team spirit behind it was a defining moment for sure. In those moments everything seemed impossible but it all happened so beautifully!”

Georgia has been a Massage Therapist for several years and is working for La Samanna, a place that has allowed her to continue to grow both personally and professionally.

Born in Guadeloupe but raised on the beautiful island of St. Martin, she credits her parents, who taught her to love diversity and to always be friendly and open to other people around her. These lessons have become a guiding principle in both her professional and personal life. Georgie always knew she would end up in this line of work. As a child, she would massage people and loved seeing the relief on their faces. The ability to make someone feel relaxed and happy has always brought her joy - it felt like her purpose.

For Georgia, every day is a chance for a new start in life, an opportunity to improve herself and do better than she did yesterday. Her belief is that leadership requires humility, the ability to trust in others, delegate, and treat others with respect - exactly how would want to be treated. It's about being there for one another, fostering a sense of community, and always believing in yourself.

Early in my career I learned that hospitality is more than just beautiful hotels; it’s something personal. A reflection of your passion and your personality. My concern for the people around me has always been a driving force for me, and I feel very fortunate that ultimately my job today revolves around making people happy. <br><br>That happiness takes a unique shape at Villa San Michele. I don’t have the standard operations background that is more common among General Managers. There are also parts of the industry that remain predominately male. But with patience, determination and a curiosity for learning, I've developed a unique perspective.

As a senior leader on Belmond's executive committee, Abbi has been with Belmond since 2007. She began her journey with Belmond as a Solicitor and has since ascended to a leadership role, inspiring women within her team and beyond through her positive energy and spirit. In her role, Abbi leads her team with her unique ability to inject her creativity into every day. <br><br>Abbi's advice to young women is: "Develop your personal brand and don’t stop asking questions until you 100% understand something. If you don’t get it, you won’t be the only one".