JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort unveils its leadership team in anticipation of its opening in December 2024. The resort is a 15 minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport and features 80 ocean view private pool villas with expansive terraces. Guests can expect a world-class experience, enhanced by a Spa by JW and gastronomical offerings that highlight local and international cuisine.
Srikanth Devarapalli has been appointed as the General Manager. With years of experience in luxury hospitality, Srikanth will lead all pre-opening efforts for the resort, overseeing daily operations and guiding the team. Most recently he was the Area Director and General Manager of the Emerald Collection’s Maldives Resorts. Under his leadership, the resort garnered several international accolades. He has also worked for brands such as Constance Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Taj Group.
Mohamed Musthafeez joins the resort as Resident Manager, bringing more than two decades of luxury hospitality management experience. Musthafeez has managed room operations at properties such as Banyan Tree Maldives, Baros Maldives, and the Amari Group.
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Paravee Mavichak joins the resort as Director of Sales and Marketing., where she will champion the strategic positioning of the resort and oversee the development and implementation of innovative commercial strategies. Her expertise encompasses various facets of hotel operations, including business strategy, guest satisfaction, and customer relationship management. She began her career with Marriott International in 2014 at Le Méridien Chiang Mai and further honed her skills at W Koh Samui in 2016. Her most recent role was the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Chiang Mai.
Joan Ibanez joins the team as Director of Operations, in which he will lead food and beverage operations, oversee culinary programming and events, and drive growth for the resort. His career spans across Michelin-starred establishments like the Monument Hotel 5*GL in Barcelona and he also contributed to the success of luxury properties like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Vietnam, and Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok.
Uday Nayak joins the resort as Director of Human Resources. He will champion changes in policy and leadership to ensure new team members are well received and new procedures are communicated and implemented smoothly. Uday’s career with Marriott, spans over 19 years in various locations. JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort marks his eighth property across three continents and his fourth pre-opening in the Maldives.
Luxury hospitality leader Ankita Thakur has been appointed as the Director of Marketing and Communications, where she will elevate the resort’s brand presence through innovative marketing strategies. Prior to this, she made her mark at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, playing a pivotal role in enhancing the brand’s visibility and communications strategy across all channels. Ankita’s expertise lies in curating marketing campaigns that resonate with divergent guests, navigating the complexities of rebranding, renovations, and pre-opening strategies. Her ability to balance creativity with measurable impact has earned her accolades for driving brand awareness and engagement.
With a sales and revenue background in the leisure sector, Naushad Ahmed joins the team as Director of Sales, bringing insights from his most recent position at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. Ahmed’s journey with Marriott began 16 years ago in reservations and he has since held key sales and revenue positions in Maldives and Thailand. In his new role, Ahmed will focus on producing innovative strategies to engage sales partners, build and nurture relationships, and identify new collaboration opportunities.
Cha Jae Yong, known as Chef Allen, whose global journey has taken him from the US to Korea, China, Fiji, and tMaldives, brings his creative culinary experience to JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort as the Executive Chef. In this role, he will oversee all culinary operations at the resort, infusing his extensive Michelin-star experience with his passion for sustainability. His background includes leading multi-venue operations and cooking for notable VIPs such as former U.S. President Barack Obama and ex-President of Fiji Jioji Konrote, among other distinguished dignitaries.
Haryani Ary brings over 20 years of experience in luxury spa management across Indonesia and Maldives to her new role as Director of Spa. Previously at The St. Regis Jakarta, she cultivated a deep understanding of wellness, aesthetics, and the art of relaxation. She will oversee all spa and wellness offerings at the resort, leading the team and enhancing the guest experience at the Spa by JW.
Mifraz Mohamed re-joins Marriott as Director of Finance, where he will oversee finance and accounting, strategic procurement, legal matters, and information systems. Having risen through the ranks at Marriott International, Mohamed has worked in various financial operations roles. Before his time with Marriott, he served as Senior Auditor with Ernst & Young, gaining invaluable insights into financial operations.
With a 25-year tenure in the hospitality industry, Ajith Kumar Nair takes on the role of Director of Engineering at the resort. His vast technical expertise and focus on sustainability will be instrumental in driving the operational maintenance of JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. He is an expert in overseeing building structures and mechanical and electrical systems, as well as implementing effective preventive maintenance programs and energy conservation practices. His extensive experience encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including pre-opening engineering activities and project management in global chains like Shangri-La and Minor Group.
Shivangi Sharma, a seasoned hotelier with over 15 years of experience, joins JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort as Director of Quality and Training. Her journey includes her recent role at JW Marriott Kolkata, where she played a pivotal role in leading her team to achieve the highest LQA Standards score in the APAC region. In her new role, she is dedicated to embodying and promoting the values and philosophy of JW Marriott. By enhancing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for driving business results, she aims to elevate the guest experience.
Fayaz Mohamed, an experienced and seasoned housekeeper, brings over 25 years of expertise in luxury hospitality to JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. As Executive Housekeeper, he will oversee all housekeeping operations, ensuring that every corner of the resort reflects the highest standards of cleanliness and comfort. His extensive experience encompasses staff management, operational efficiency, and a meticulous attention to luxury standards, all aimed at delivering exceptional guest satisfaction.
Ahmed Azeef brings an extensive background in luxury hospitality to his role as Front Office Manager, having worked at renowned establishments such as W Maldives, Hilton, and Gili Lankan Fushi. He will oversee all facets of front office operations, ensuring a seamless experience for guests.
Commenting on the appointments, Srikanth Devarapalli, the General Manager of JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, remarked, “We are excited to announce the opening of the JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. Our pre- opening team is composed of multinational experts with global experience, exceptional credentials, and proven achievements, complemented by our outstanding product offerings. I have full confidence in their ability to leverage this opportunity, strategically position the resort for success, and set new standards in service and product excellence. We eagerly await the arrival of our first guests and are committed to delivering the renowned services associated with the JW brand and Marriott International.”