Baha Mar Ltd.

Sarkis Izmirlian, CEO, TradeInvest Asset Management Ltd.

Magdalena was a key player in the development of the Baha Mar soul, based deeply upon our core values and business objectives.  In developing Baha Mar, unrelenting passion and innovation were our watchwords.  Our unique challenge was to develop a best in class luxury product with a generally high potential yet inexperienced workforce.  Under Magdalena's leadership, we were able to implement a very successful and inventive recruitment program centered on the future potential of the employee for success, with extensive and challenging follow on hard and soft skills training, and continuous evaluation.  Our program was able to mix this hard skill training with passion and teamwork.  One of the keys to our success was our extensive personal touch for our two thousand strong team. This included a curated engagement and communications strategy, a creative program of individualised and flexible benefits, and even creation of four "houses" reflecting our core values and strengthening employees’ loyalty and sense of belonging to Baha Mar. Our HR initiatives were innovatively constructed and whilst creating a sense of fun, strongly linked to our business strategy and performance. Through this and her work, the Baha Mar brand, one of community and excellence, defined not only the resort but also its people, the citizens of the Baha Mar Nation. Our culture and values withstood the greatest test. During a very turbulent and uncertain time for our business, our team were and continue to be the rock of support, positivity and encouragement.

Moreover, upon her appointment, Magdalena inherited a volatile and complex relationship with our local trade unions. Her in-depth knowledge of industrial relations, confident leadership, fairness, and forward strategy lead to a very positive and successful outcome for our staff and our business.

Magdalena's experience within the hospitality industry in a broad global context gave us the internal knowledge to benchmark employee practices and customer service goals and expectations across the world, and to create best of breed, innovative solutions -  critical for a resort with a diverse staff and international clientele.  I can't recommend her highly enough!