Jill of all trades & master of some.
Aishath Reena, Reentha to those who know her well, was a go-getter from the start. From beginning her hospitality career at Bandos Island Resort in 1994 to being the Executive Secretary of the GM of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island now, Reena has approached every role with enthusiasm, confidence and the passion to learn more.
As a child, Reena decided she would not be confined to traditional norms and knew she was destined for more. Her grandmother, who was her guardian, allowed her to be independent and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. And her dream was to be independent, to learn and to be part of something bigger.
Hotel Insider: What steered you towards a career in hospitality?
Reena: I wanted to be in a position where I could challenge myself and joining the hospitality industry at a time when there was such a limited number of female employees working at resorts, seemed like the ideal career path. I wanted to break the mold and normalize female presence in the Maldivian hospitality industry.
Hotel Insider: What was your initial experience in the industry like?
Reena: I joined Bandos Island Resort in 1994 and was fortunate enough to be surrounded by good management and mentors who allowed me to learn and grow despite my lack of knowledge in the field. I adapted easily owing to the nurturing environment I was in.
Hotel Insider: What does being the Executive Secretary to the GM entail at Conrad?
Reena: Everything! (laughs) My workload rotates around everyone and a lot of it is administrative as well. It’s not just the GM’s work that I handle. I work alongside the senior management too. And I am also on the crisis management team, which means I’m on call 24/7.
Hotel Insider: How do you handle the demands associated with being such a key component in the structure of the resort?
Reena: I think I have a firm grip on all my responsibilities. The fact that I enjoy challenges and do not like saying no to any task, within reason of course, makes me the ideal person to handle a role like this. And the fact that my husband is completely supportive and takes on the multitudes of responsibilities associated with taking care of our child, allows me to dedicate the bulk of my energy to my job.
Hotel Insider: What is your favorite part of what you do?
Reena: I feel really good when I am able to help people. At our operation, I am known as the Fixer. The one who always has a solution ready. I enjoy being able to provide that for my fellow employees.
Hotel Insider: You received the award of Manager of the Year at Conrad in 2020. How did you feel when you were awarded the accolade?
Reena: I received the award in 2020, after the world was ravaged by the pandemic and all that meant for our operation. I was on site and in the thick of all that happened to keep the resort maintained. To be honest I did not expect it and felt extremely grateful to be rewarded for my contribution during that challenging time.
Hotel Insider: What is the most significant obstacle you have faced in the industry so far?
Reena: Definitely the pandemic. A skeleton crew of employees remained on site to run the resort when it was in lockdown. The day began at 3 am and ended around midnight because we were doing everything ourselves to maintain the resort. Cleaning, gardening, sweeping, loading … you name it.
Nobody knew what was happening and we were all in the dark when it came to the future. Policies were made overnight and thankfully we all worked together to establish protocols and got the resort up and running again. It was exhausting and we had all burned out from both the effort and the fear that was prevalent at the time. I’m grateful that my family was with me onsite then. It helped immensely.
Hotel Insider: Do you believe that the value of women is underestimated in the Maldivian hospitality industry? What do you wish the experience would be for young women who wish to pursue a career in your field?
Reena: I have not personally encountered such bias at places that I have worked at. In contrast, at Hilton in particular, the management prioritizes giving opportunities to female employees and empowers us. I have heard of negative experiences but I am fortunate to not have experienced it myself.
My hope is that those operations adopt the same methods that I have experienced here and provide that space and opportunity for young women entering the field. And I hope their parents support them.
Hotel Insider: Over your long career in the hospitality industry, what is the most significant change you have noticed in your field over the years?
Reena: A larger female presence in a male dominated industry. And I hope more opportunities with supportive management and safe, nurturing environments open up for women.
Hotel Insider: Who would you like to thank for being your support system?
Reena: My husband. He is my rock and handles the bulk of responsibility that comes with taking care of our daughter. I wouldn’t be able to do this if not for him.