Name: Anna Liza Vergara
Position: General Manager
Hotel: Sheraton Manila Hotel
Dream destination: I have a lot of dream travel destinations – Canada and Europe are at the top of the list! I have seen a lot of breathtaking tourist spots in each of these places and would really love to experience these myself.  My idea of a dream destination is a place where I am able to have a good mix of cold weather, good places to shop, nice restaurants for food and a lot of outdoor to appreciate nature. I come from a tropical country so places that are cold are interesting to me. I’ve never been to Canada or Europe, but will definitely make time to slowly start exploring.
Drink or treat of choice: As for my choice of drinks, I usually start my day with a really good cup of coffee. For some reason, I feel like it puts things into perspective. It allows me to think clearly and enjoy the rest of my encounters during the day.  End of day choice is a glass of wine or a cocktail. This is when I reflect on how the day went and plan for the next day. I ask myself if there was something that I could have done better today, so I can adjust and be a better version of myself the next day.

Anna Liza Vergara’s trailblazing 30-year journey with Marriott International began at the front desk, but her impact now reaches far beyond just the lobby. As the General Manager of Sheraton Manila Hotel, she made history as the first Filipina to helm a 5-star international hotel in the Philippines. Through her leadership and journey, Anna has proven that Marriott is not just a place to work – it’s a place to begin your journey, belong to a global community, and become the best version of you!

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“The privilege I’ve been given in leading my associates has strengthened my admiration for our company and what we’re all about. I’m one of many inspiring stories in our company, and through my journey I’ve felt cared for as I was given opportunities to maximize my potential,” Anna shared. Now, Anna actively champions diversity and women empowerment for others, using her influence and journey to support other women leaders in their careers. In her words, “we have to believe that we can do it!”.

Learn more about how Marriott International has empowered Anna to succeed, and Anna’s advice for other associates.

Tell us about your Marriott career journey.

I have been with the company for over 30 years. I started my journey as a Front Desk Supervisor at the Renaissance Makati City. I held all the positions in the Front Office, such as Reception Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, and Front Office Manager. I had a mentor who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and explore Housekeeping. After cross-training in Housekeeping, I was promoted to my first Executive Committee role as Director of Rooms Operations. During my journey, I also had the opportunity to assist the Rooms Continent Lead in conducting the At The Helm (Front Office Training) course for colleagues in Asia Pacific.

I stayed at the Renaissance Makati for 15 years until Marriott Manila was constructed. I was fortunate to further develop my career by being part of the opening team at Marriott Manila. During my 8-year stay with the property, I was promoted to Hotel Manager. In 2017, it was a pivotal year as I had the opportunity to apply for the role of General Manager at Sheraton Manila. I still hold this position and am proud to be labeled as the first Filipina General Manager of an internationally branded hotel in the Philippines. Marriott has opened doors for me to step outside my comfort zone. These opportunities have made me push myself to greater limits, and to be a better version of myself each day, while inspiring other associates to make the most of their opportunities as well.

Describe a moment you felt supported at Marriott.

One might think that in the world’s biggest travel company, your existence might go unnoticed, but that’s far from the truth. I recently attended the 2024 APEC General Managers Conference, where we had close to 600 GMs in attendance. Having the President, Mr. Raj Menon, know me by name, and having senior leaders approach me to ask how I was, made me feel a part of a much bigger family beyond just my hotel team. I’ve also had many mentors along the way that I can approach when needed. Additionally, having a structure that provides support in unique or challenging situations makes me feel like I don’t have to face everything alone. Asking for help is encouraged, and extending help is a norm in our company.

How would you describe your experience as a Marriott associate?

My Marriott experience feels surreal – starting from the ranks and growing my career to where I am today. Where I come from, being both a local and a woman is not the norm for a Resident Manager, let alone a General Manager. The privilege I’ve been given in leading my associates has strengthened my admiration for our company and what we’re all about. I’m one of many inspiring stories in our company, and through my journey I’ve felt cared for as I was given opportunities to maximize my potential – even to the point of breaking the glass ceiling.

Describe a moment you felt like a part of a community at Marriott.

There have been many moments where I’ve felt part of a larger community, such as when I attended the APEC GMs conference in Bali. But I also feel this daily within my own hotel. Every day is an opportunity for us to gather as a community – this is one of the pillars of the Sheraton brand! All our encounters are tailored to ensure that everybody feels welcome, part of a bigger family, and can collaborate with each other.

What mentorship opportunities have you had (as a mentor or mentee), and how have they helped you in your journey?

I’ve had many opportunities to be both a mentor and a mentee, whether formally or informally. These experiences have encouraged me to become a better version of myself, just as I’ve encouraged my mentees. My mentors have pushed me to try things outside my comfort zone, even when it’s difficult. Where I am today is a product of the encouragement of all my mentors. I share my story to my mentees as well, and encourage them to enjoy the journey! When choosing mentors, I make sure to pick those who are honest with me – those who will not only point out my strengths but also highlight areas I need to work on.

What are some learning and development programs you have attended, and how have they helped you in your career?

I’ve attended many training programs over the past 30 years. The most recent one that has helped me in my current role was the Marriott Development Academy for General Managers. At the time, I was still a Hotel Manager. This self-paced training allowed me to delve deeper into the different disciplines of hotel operations, pick the brains of experts from different fields, and view things from new perspectives.

Proudest moment of your career so far?

I would say that my current role is my proudest moment in my career. Being tagged as the first Filipina GM of an internationally branded hotel in the Philippines has opened doors for other women leaders and local talent as well. As the first, I know that no one can take this achievement away from me. I will forever hold this achievement dearly, and make sure that I will also be an instrument and inspiration to other leaders to achieve their career dreams too. We have to believe that we really can!

Any advice for incoming Marriott associates?

I hope that incoming associates realize the power of being part of the world’s largest travel company. We are anchored on five core values: put people first, act with integrity, embrace change, pursue excellence, and serve our world. Marriott believes in taking care of associates so that associates can take care of our guests, and the guests will come back. We believe that as the company grows, we should grow the careers of our associates. Marriott gives us a platform to do our best work, and showcase a better version of ourselves every day. How can you go wrong with that?

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