Hozpitality’s Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Human Resources
The hospitality industry flourishes on exceptional talent, and at the heart of every successful organization are visionary HR leaders who shape culture, inspire engagement, and drive organizational growth. In recognition of these trailblazers, Hozpitality Group proudly announces its prestigious 'Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East 2025' Power List, celebrating individuals who have exemplified excellence and innovation in human resources leadership.
In an industry where people are the heart of success, exceptional HR leadership makes all the difference. Hozpitality Group proudly unveils its Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East—a definitive power list recognizing the region's most influential human resources professionals in hospitality.
The hospitality industry thrives on exceptional talent, and behind every successful organization are visionary HR leaders who cultivate culture, drive engagement, and foster growth. Recognizing these professionals, Hozpitality Group has unveiled its prestigious "Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East 2025" power list, spotlighting individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in human resources.
This distinguished list was curated through a nomination and public voting process, where HR professionals were put forward by their organizations and endorsed by peers, colleagues, and industry professionals. The final selection reflects those who garnered the highest votes, showcasing their influence, dedication, and impact within the hospitality sector.
The Hozpitality’s Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East represent a diverse group of professionals from leading hotels and hospitality groups across the region. Their expertise spans talent acquisition, employee engagement, organizational development, and workplace culture, making them instrumental in shaping the future of hospitality HR.
Here are the list esteemed honorees for 2025:
- Adithya Iyer, Human Resources Manager, Dubai Golf
- Adnan Khan Sherwani, Cluster Human Resources Manager, Signature Hotels
- Ahmed Ghaleb, Director of Talent and Culture, Swissotel Al Murooj
- Bilal Mehdi, Director of HR & Training, Intercat Hospitality
- Chirag Malik, Cluster HR Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Deira, and Hampton Dubai Airport
- Dragos Paraschiv, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Al Seef by Hilton Cluster Hotels (Hampton, Canopy & Al Seef Heritage Curio Collection by Hilton)
- Ellaine Siruelo, Area Human Resources Leader for UAE - PES, Kuwait & Bahrain, IHG® Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa)
- Evangeline Monterde, Director of Human Resources, InterContinental Bahrain
- Felicita Shanthy, Director of Human Resources, Taj Dubai
- Hasan Al Haj Hasan, Human Resources Director, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences
- Husein Panju, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Hilton Doha & Hilton Doha The Pearl
- Hussam Abdullah Alhamdi, Director of Human Resources, Verta Hotels & Resort, KSA
- Jayangi Wanigasekara, Director of Human Resources, Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel
- Julie Feraldo, HR Manager, Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel
- Kallol Saha, Director of Human Resources, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Qatar
- Khin May Than, Director of Human Resources, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi Hotel
- Manjeet Sahota, Director of Human Resources, Gulf Catering and Support Services
- Mohamed Ribayathulla, Talent & Culture Manager, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman
- Mouhcine Benslimane, Cluster Manager - Human Resources, Dusit Doha Hotel and Dusit Hotel & Suites - Doha
- Mutasem Al Suwat, Group Director of Human Resources, Tabuk Investment and Tourism
- Olga Maliseva, Group HR Manager, CÉ LA VI
- Paarth Mathur, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Valor Hospitality
- Rose Anne Abagat, HR Manager, Pyramisa Hotel Apartments
- Salima Hussaini, Area Director, Human Resources - Middle East and Director of Human Resources
- Sameer Aboobacker, Cluster Human Resources Director, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai, ibis Styles Hotel Jumeirah
- Samer Majari, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Marriott Marquis Dubai & Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences
- Santhosh Gopinathan, Director of Human Resources, Bab Al Qasr
- Stephanie Erit, Director, Talent & Culture, Fairmont The Palm
- Vidhi Vadodariya, Cluster HR Manager, Century Hotel Doha
- Zaheen Abbas, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah & Nassima Tower Hotel Apartments
These HR leaders have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces, nurturing talent, and driving organizational success. Their contributions extend beyond traditional HR functions—they are strategic partners who align people initiatives with business goals, ensuring sustainable growth in a competitive industry.
The "Best 30 HR Leaders in the Middle East 2025" power list celebrates individual achievements and also highlights the critical role of HR in the hospitality sector. As the industry continues to evolve, these leaders will remain at the forefront, championing employee engagement, talent development, and workplace excellence.
Congratulations to all the honorees for their well-deserved recognition!
Adithya Iyer
Human Resources Manager
Dubai Golf
A strategic HR leader with over 15 years of experience, Adithya excels in digital HR transformation, having implemented SuccessFactors across Dubai Golf’s vast operations while driving Emiratization and award-winning workplace cultures.
Adnan Khan Sherwani
Cluster Human Resources Manager
Signature Hotels
With over 15 years in hospitality HR, Adnan is a culture architect known for enhancing employee engagement and retention through innovative policies across multi-property clusters.
Ahmed Ghaleb
Director of Talent and Culture
Swissotel Al Murooj
A 14-year HR veteran, Ahmed designed the "Talent Oasis" program, boosting promotions by 40% and earning Swissotel a "Great Place to Work" certification.
Bilal Mehdi
Director of HR & Training
Intercat Hospitality
With over 15 years in HR, Bilal bridges catering, leisure, and hospitality expertise, optimizing workforce efficiency through data-driven talent strategies.
Chirag Malik
Cluster HR Manager
Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Deira, and Hampton Dubai Airport
A decade-long HR specialist, Chirag achieved 100% training compliance and surpassed DEI targets across three Hilton properties in Dubai.
Dragos Paraschiv
Cluster Director of Human Resources
Al Seef by Hilton Cluster Hotels (Hampton, Canopy & Al Seef Heritage Curio Collection by Hilton)
A 20-year HR leader, Dragos maintained 92% staff retention during complex rebranding projects and pioneered AI-driven talent analytics.
Ellaine Siruelo
Area Human Resources Leader for UAE - PES, Kuwait & Bahrain
IHG® Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa)
With over 20 years in HR, Ellaine is a strategic business partner who has shaped IHG’s regional talent pipelines and compliance frameworks.
Evangeline Monterde
Director of Human Resources
InterContinental Bahrain
A 20-year HR trailblazer, Evangeline rose from guest relations to HR director, championing employee development and operational excellence.
Felicita Shanthy
Director of Human Resources
Taj Dubai
With 29 years in HR, Felicita is a process innovator who established IHCL’s first HR Hub and drove award-winning engagement strategies.
Hasan Al Haj Hasan
Human Resources Director
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square
A 15-year HR strategist, Hasan reduced turnover by 15% and increased female representation to 41.6% through inclusive policies.
Husein Panju
Cluster Director of HR
Hilton Doha & Hilton Doha The Pearl
With 27 years in HR, Husein is a pre-opening expert who successfully managed HR operations during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Hussam Abdullah Alhamdi
Director of Human Resources
Verta Hotels & Resorts, KSA
A 15-year HR leader, Hussam excels in pre-opening HR setups and government collaborations for Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector.
Jayangi Wanigasekara
Director of Human Resources
Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel
With 13 years in HR & finance, Jayangi uniquely blends financial acumen with talent development, fostering high-performance cultures.
Julie Feraldo
HR Manager
Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel
A decade-long HR expert, Julie merges UAE labor law compliance with digital HRMS solutions for optimized workforce management.
Kallol Saha
Director of Human Resources
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Qatar
With 18 years in HR, Kallol integrates wellness philosophies into HR practices, creating holistic employee experiences.
Khin May Than
Director of Human Resources
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi Hotel
A 20-year HR specialist, Khin combines ISO and HACCP expertise with Shangri-La’s care principles for operational excellence.
Manjeet Sahota
Director of Human Resources
Gulf Catering and Support Services
With 27 years in HR, Manjeet is a certified OD professional who aligns HR strategy with commercial growth in support services.
Mohamed Ribayathulla
Talent & Culture Manager
Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman
A 15-year HR advocate, Mohamed transformed from finance to HR, now leading welfare programs for 650+ employees across three hotels.
Mouhcine Benslimane
Cluster Manager - Human Resources
Dusit Doha Hotel and Dusit Hotel & Suites - Doha
With over 10 years in HR, Mouhcine drives cluster HR strategies with a focus on Qatar’s national talent development.
Mutasem Al Suwat
Group Director of Human Resources
Tabuk Investment and Tourism
A 7-year HR visionary, Mutasem aligns Saudi workforce strategies with Vision 2030’s tourism expansion goals.
Olga Maliseva
Group HR Manager
CÉ LA VI
With 5+ years in HR, Olga champions CSR and training innovations, elevating employee experiences in luxury hospitality.
Paarth Mathur
Cluster Director of Human Resources
Valor Hospitality
A 20-year HR strategist, Paarth holds Six Sigma certification and led three successful pandemic-era hotel openings.
Rose Anne Abagat
HR Manager
Pyramisa Hotel Apartments
With 9 years in HR, Rose transitions from operations to HR, fostering inclusive, barrier-free workplace cultures.
Salima Hussaini
Area Director, Human Resources - Middle East and Director of Human Resources
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
A 15-year HR leader, Salima excels in government relations and Emiratization while steering Taj’s Middle East HR strategy.
Sameer Aboobacker
Cluster Human Resources Director
The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel,
Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai, ibis Styles Hotel Jumeirah
With over 15 years in HR, Sameer onboarded 315 employees single-handedly for Dubai’s first wellness hotel pre-opening.
Samer Majari
Cluster Director of Human Resources
Marriott Marquis Dubai & Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences
A 15-year recruitment expert, Samer built a 58-nationality workforce, optimizing hiring costs without compromising quality.
Santhosh Gopinathan
Director of Human Resources
Bab Al Qasr Hotel
With over 15 years in HR, Santhosh’s open-door policy and ethical leadership have strengthened trust and transparency.
Stephanie Erit
Director - Talent & Culture
Fairmont The Palm
A 14-year talent strategist, Stephanie blends Franco-Emirati HR insights to drive luxury hospitality excellence.
Vidhi Vadodariya
Cluster HR Manager
Century Hotel, Doha
With 9 years in HR, Vidhi reduced hiring timelines by 25% while boosting engagement scores by 35%.
Zaheen Abbas
Cluster Director of Human Resources
Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah & Nassima Tower Hotel Apartments
A 20-year HR veteran, Zaheen has recruited 1,300+ professionals, balancing compliance with heartfelt employee advocacy.
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