Areas of Academic Interest
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Strategic Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Research Methodology
- Systems Thinking
- Supply Chain Management
- Project Management & Leadership
Work Experience
Independent Hospitality Management Consultant (2012-2017)
- Provided advice and expertise during the pre-opening phase of private hotels in Durban, South Africa, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Analysed structural, technological, and behavioural changes at the Durban Country Club and provided recommendations with guidelines on implementation.
VP of Operations – STAR Hospitality Management & Support (2010-2011)
- Played a key role in project management at the opening of hotels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Provided owners with strategic management concepts that enabled them to be competitive in the market.
- Produced standard operational manuals, training manuals, employee handbooks, operating departments’ checklists, and job skill checklists for hotel management.
Senior Business Development Manager for Africa – DOCOMO InterTouch (2009-2010)
- Formulated and executed innovative sales and marketing strategies for all operations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Served as Executive Account Manager for international chain hotels including Hilton, Accor, and Sheraton Africa.
- Regional IT Director – Africa & Indian Ocean – Hilton International (2000-2009)
- Managed the IT departments for all hotels in the region, providing leadership to IT Managers.
- Created the IT Champions training program and ran it for three years.
- Served on international committees including diversity for Hilton International IT Policy Design and Hotel Openings Team as an IT Representative.
- Monitored and controlled IT operational budgets of over $6 million across the region.
Information Systems Manager – Durban Hilton (1997-2000)
- Planned, configured, and installed all information technology as part of the opening team of the Durban Hilton.
Information Systems Manager – Addis Ababa Hilton (1986-1997)
- Commenced employment as a restaurant busboy, then a checker, progressing to night auditor before rapid promotion to Information Systems Manager.
- Provided professional support for IT vendors and made critical decisions regarding IT requirements for the region.
- Monitored and controlled IT operational budgets across the region.
