Women excel at Montecasino
GENDER BALANCE: 51% OF STAFF MEMBERS ARE FEMALE
More than a third of the 59 management positions are filled by the fairer sex.
It’s a women-rich environment at Montecasino, with 571 women on the staff making up 51% of the total staff of 1 116, of which, 59 are in management positions, representing 37.58%. Two of the three hotels are run by women, as are the Property Management, HR, Marketing, and Tables departments.
Debbie Combrink, Marketing Manager, believes the greatest achievement in her work life has been “staying relevant in a changing environment – through ongoing learning, training, and self-development”. She adds a major challenge she has overcome is learning to listen. “When I was younger I felt that I needed to have an opinion on everything to position myself. I’ve matured to realise that knowing when to speak is more important.”
Caroline Naidu, Tables Manager, says she measures her greatest achievements in her work life by “the number of people I’m able to positively impact. I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and develop a number of people who’ve subsequently achieved great successes in their roles.” Linda Reddy, GM of Palazzo, says she has overcome challenges with the conviction that “lions don’t need to roar – and so developing a powerful presence built on respect and competence improves my leadership ability”.
Lerato Makoropo says her advice to young women starting out in the industry is “accept no limits, but more importantly, be willing to do your time by learning from others who have been there before you”.
Deidre Jameson, Property Manager, says her greatest achievement in her work life is her appointment to her current position. She advises women starting out “to persevere and press through situations – and when all else fails, to continue to stand”.
Bernie Hilario, GM of SunSquare Montecasino, who achieves balance through early mornings and late nights, advises women starting out “If you are going to do anything, do it properly or not at all.”
Newly appointed GM Mike Page says: “Of course we’re proud of all our staff but in this month of celebrating women, we acknowledge their powerful contribution to our team. Our women are authorities in their fields.”