Name: Saraswati S.
Position: General Manager
Hotel: The Westin Resort & Spa, Ubud
Dream destination: Bordeaux and Barcelona.
Drink or treat of choice: A healthy juice and a strong Americano.

At Marriott, leadership is not defined by a title or a corner office. We believe it shows up at every level, in how you inspire others, take ownership, and choose to lead with purpose, no matter where you are in your career.

A perfect example of that is Saraswati’s journey. As the General Manager of The Westin Resort and Spa, Ubud, and Bali native, Saraswati built her career by moving across sales, marketing, and leadership roles, always driven by a clear vision of the kind of leader she wanted to become. When the General Manager role did not come as quickly as she hoped, she did not wait for permission or a promotion to start leading.

→ Learn About the Wide Range of Career Journeys at Marriott

Instead, Saraswati focused on embodying the leadership values she believed in, lifting others, leading with humility, and creating space for her team to grow. In time, the role followed. It turns out leadership was never something she had to “fake” until she made it. She had been living it long before the title arrived.

Read Saraswati’s full story to learn how leading with intention can open doors, and what becomes possible when you help others feel seen, supported, and ready to rise.

What has been the most decisive moment in your career? 

Transitioning from Sales into Operations and being appointed General Manager within a year. I realized leadership isn’t about a title; it’s about building the capacity to create an impact and elevating the people around you.

What did you learn from that process of rapid growth? 

That experience changed the way I lead. It showed me that leadership is not about a title, but about how you show up for people and how you grow alongside them. I became more intentional, humbler, and more focused on developing others. I learned to create clarity, empower teams, and make decisions through collaboration and shared ownership, so everyone feels part of the journey.

What did it teach you about your own potential?

That my potential is not fixed. It continues to expand as long as I stay curious, humble, and willing to step into unfamiliar territory.

What advice would you offer to women looking to accelerate in their careers?

Don’t wait for permission to develop yourself. Build strategic relationships, embrace moments that make you feel uncomfortable, and lead with who you are, not who you are expected to be.

We like to think of commitments instead of goals, what are your commitments for this year? 

This year, I commit to giving opportunity: opportunities to lead, to stretch, and to be seen. I know from experience that one opportunity can change how someone sees herself. By intentionally opening doors for women across our hotels, we strengthen not only individuals, but our entire community.

When we open doors for others, we gain stronger teams and build a more inclusive future.

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