Women's power at GCH
Strong women for successful hotels
Success is a woman's business. Of a total of 2,100 employees (as of January 2022) at the GCH Hotel Group, 1,119 are female. We have already introduced some of our female leaders at our Berlin headquarters on our blog. On today's International Women's Day, we would like to take the occasion to present some of the ladies who, as hotel directors/General Managers, devote their time and energy to ensuring the success of our hotels.
Chastonie Stola, Resident Manager Best Western Hotel Sindelfingen City
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: December 2013, since November 2019 as General Manager
Professional development:
I started as receptionist at the GCH Hotel Group in the Wyndham Hotel Mannheim. A little later, I was promoted to Supervisor Reception there. From May 2016 to November 2019, I worked first as Reservations Agent and then as Reservations Manager at the Hotel Excelsior Ludwigshafen. During my last year there, I worked as Assistant Manager without the official title, and trained my successor in Reservations myself. Since 2019, I have been managing the Best Western Hotel Sindelfingen City as Resident Manager.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
A General Manager has to wear many hats - at all times. This is a challenge, of course, but at the same time it is just what I like about my job.
What do you wish your yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
I wish us all self-confidence and inner peace, that's what matters. If this is not possible, then at least a shopping voucher (with a wink).
Bettina Alberts, Cluster General Manager Cologne
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: 17th March 1997, since 2006 as General Manager and since 2015 as Cluster General Manager
Professional Development:
After training as a hotel manager, I took the second educational route to get my Abitur (baccalaureate). Afterwards, I moved to Switzerland for 5 years. For love's sake, I moved to Cologne in 1996 and started to work at what are now the TRYP by Wyndham and Wyndham Hotel, initially as Front Office Manager for both hotels. A year later, I was promoted to Deputy Manager and additionally took over the operational management of today's Wyndham Garden in Düsseldorf. In 2006, I became General Manager of the two Cologne hotels. In 2015, Mr. Schiffmann (Area Vice President Region West & East), in addition assigned me the responsibility of the Best Western Hotel in Troisdorf. From July 2019 to August 2021, I was involved in the rebranding and redesign of the new Wasserturm Hotel Cologne, Curio Collection by Hilton.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
The last 25 years have been strongly characterised by change. Not only did the two Cologne hotels change ownership several times during this period, but they were also repeatedly rebranded, from unbranded to Four Points by Sheraton over Best Western to Wyndham. They were in the hands of various management companies from different nations - from Kuwait to France to Germany. Cologne's hotel market has drastically changed and the city has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany. I am lucky to still have many long-standing colleagues in my team. This is really special.
The biggest challenge however is still the pandemic. We took our industry for invulnerable but were proven wrong. Nonetheless, I am sure that we will also successfully master this situation.
What do you wish your yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
It is astounding that it is still necessary to have an International Women's Day. I would like to see equality at a point where we do not even have to mention it anymore. My favourite quote is: "The emancipation of women is only completed once also incompetent women are in leading positions."
Dagmar Weigand, Director ibis Kassel Melsungen
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: 1st May 2000 as General Manager of the ibis Kassel Melsungen
Professional development:
My education started at the Steigenberger Hotel Management School, followed by training and my first steps as a hotel manager in and around Düsseldorf. I then worked in various positions at home and abroad, for example in Zurich. Later I worked as Front Office Manager and Assistant Manager for international hotel groups like Accor or Astron, but also in private hotels. From 1997, I already worked as General Manager in different companies, including the Carat Hotel Group and Artis Suite Hotels, before my path finally led me to the GCH Hotel Group.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
I absolutely love the variety! No day is like the other. Even after this long, interacting with hotel guests and staff holds surprises and it does not get boring. As a hostess by vocation, I can always feed my thirst for knowledge about people over and over again.
For the past 2 years, the biggest challenge has for sure been the pandemic that has pulled the carpet from under our feet and pushed us all to the edge of our resilience, be it the working from home, closed schools or just the "inability to do anything". The existential threat and persistent lack of social contact were a heavy burden that will be imprinted on us for a long time to come. Especially women were thrown back by years in their development and the fight for equal rights. I am glad to have the support of a company like GCH.
What do you wish for yourself and your colleagues on this International Women's Day?
I wish my colleagues and myself the strength and humour needed to continue to overcome the most difficult situations with sensitivity and empathy. Let's GCH!
Nadine Zipser, General Manager Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: 2017 as General Manager of the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin
Professional development:
Between 1998 and 2001, I trained as a hotel manager. From 2001, I was a receptionist at the Concept Hotel. In 2003, I moved to the Berlin Mark Hotel, where I worked as reception secretary, receptionist, shift leader and Deputy Front Office Manager. From 2008 to 2013, I was Assistant Manager at the Grand City Hotel Berlin Zentrum and from 2013 to 2016 Resident Manager at the Mark Apart Hotel Berlin, before I took over as General Manager at the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin in 2017.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
Every day is different, with unusual and unexpected events that often pose a challenge but also bring a lot of variety.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
In the light of current events, I simply wish us all peace.
Ludmila Zelena, General Manager/Cluster General Manager Crowne Plaza Düsseldorf - Neuss and Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Airport
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: 1st March 2009 at the Wyndham Duisburger Hof, since 1st April 2014 at the Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Airport as General Manager and since 5th May 2021 additionally at the Crowne Plaza Düsseldorf - Neuss as Cluster General Manager
Professional development:
I was trained at Steigenberger Hof, where I then stayed as Commis or Demi Chef de Rang. Later, I moved to Banquet Sales and then to the Front Office, where I eventually worked as Deputy Front Office Manager. Since 1st March 2009, I have already been Assistant Manager, Director, General Manager and finally Cluster General Manager at the Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Airport and the Crowne Plaza Düsseldorf - Neuss.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
I like the diversity. No two days are the same. However, the area of Human Resources is still a challenge, especially the recruitment and retention of employees. There is always potential for improvement here, which we work on every day.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
Just one thing: world peace!
Sabine Dobschanski, Director ibis Berlin City Nord
Bei der GCH seit: 2007 as hotel director
Professional development:
My heart has been beating for the hotel industry for over 30 years, and for ibis for 26 years. I have moved through different stations. During the last 20 years, I have been able to dedicate my heart and strength as a Director, since 2007 for the GCH Hotel Group.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
It is not always easy to balance work and family, but with the support of my family and colleagues, everything is possible. As the manager of the ibis Berlin City Nord, I am not only responsible for the hotel's administration, but above all for our trainees, employees and guests. It fills me with pride when I meet former trainees again as Front Office Managers or Assistant Managers. Naturally, I also have to deal with throbacks; you hardly ever like it when employees leave. Particularly in this day and age, it is important to fight for every signle individual.
I always say that it never gets boring in the hotel industry. Over and over again, we struggle with new challenges, we improvise, we laugh together, we find solutions together. And we are delighted about every goal achieved and, above all, about satisfied and happy guests.
The biggest challenge, of course, is currently the pandemic. Our hotel had to remain closed for almost 11 months. Slowly but steadily we are making our way out again.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
I wish for all of my employees and guests, that we emerge from the Corona crisis stronger and healthier than ever, but above all I wish for all of us that we can continue to live together in peace.
Patricia Strauch, Cluster General Manager Kassel/Melsungen
Working with the GCH Hotel Gorup since: took over the first hotel in 2002 as General Manager, transition to Mark Hotels/GCH in 2007 with takeover of the second hotel, Cluster General Manager Kassel/Melsungen since 1st April 2020
Professional development:
I first trained as an assistant in the hospitality industry and then followed the classic career path from head waitress to restaurant management to F&B management, both in privately-led hotels and in chain hotels. Later, I took further commercial training with IHK (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce) and gratuated as human resources specialist. Since 2002, I have been working as a General Manager.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
I especially like the change that every day brings. The people whom I work with on a daily basis. The biggest challenge for our industry will be to sucessfully adapt to the changed conditions after the pandemic - and to take the employees with us on the way. For the many challenges the hotel industry faces, we need to find solutions that allow us to remain competitive.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
Courage and strength to face the daily challenges, but not to forget the sense of humour. And: equal pay in all areas.
Kathleen Wille, Resident Manager TRYP by Wyndham Lübeck Aquamarin
Working for the GCH Hotel Group since: 2012, since 2017 as Resident Manager of the TRYP by Wyndham Lübeck Aquamarin
Professional development:
From 2007 to 2011 I trained as a hotel clerk and then worked as a reception and reservation secretary at the Maritim Berghotel Braunlage. In 2011, I moved to Switzerland, where I was shift manager at the Steigenberger Hotel Davos until 2012. Since 2012, I have been working with the GCH Hotel Group, where I started as Front Office Manager at the TRYP by Wyndham Bad Oldesloe until 2017. At the same time, between 2016 and 2017, I attended the GCH Leadership Academy. Since 2017, I have been the Resident Manager of the TRYP by Wyndham Lübeck Aquamarin, where I celebrated my 5-year anniversary last week.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
I love everything about my job, but especially the versatility. You have the possibility to meet new faces and interesting people every day - but you don't have to, depending on your position. The combination of management work on the forefront and in the background is what makes every working day unique. Furthermore, I like keeping the team together and doing everything in our power to make sure the guests have a pleasant stay.
In my opinion, the biggest challenge is to find the sweet spot of living up to everyone's expectations - the guests'; the employees', who are our most valuable asset; and the upper management's, because the bottom line are, of course, the numbers.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
Recognition and gladly a thank you every now and then.
Lizette Botha, Cluster General Manager ibis Styles Offenburg City and Best Western Hotel Rastatt
Working with the GCH Hotel Group since: April 2016 as General Manager of the Best Western Hotel Sindelfingen, since June 2021 Cluster General Manger at the ibis Styles Offenburg City and Best Western Rastatt
Professional development:
Born and raised in South Africa, my professional career started after graduating from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, as receptionist. This was followed by different positions in England and South Africa, including as hotel manager of the very first Park Inn Hotel - the Park Inn Green Market Square Cape Town. Over a hotel manager position in London Heathrow, I eventually reached St. Petersburg, where I ran a Park Inn Hotel with 1,200 rooms as General Manager.
What do you like most about your job and what do you consider the biggest challenge?
Most of all, I like the diversity I encounter every day. I work with so many different cultures, welcome international guests and can prove myself every day. My work in the hotel industry has taken my around half the globe. In my early days in Germany, the biggest challenge was to understand the overtones in conversations with colleagues and guests, as my German was not that proficient yet. Over time, however, humans grow with their tasks.
At the moment, our main challenge is the fight against the pandemic that has to be won so that the hotel industry can finally operate without restrictions again.
What do you wish for yourself and your female colleagues on this International Women's Day?
I wish my colleagues that, like me, they fight for and achieve their set goals, return home joyfully every day after work and live a life between success at work and inner contentment.
For myself, I wish for good health, winning the lottery (with a wink), and new adventures at the hotel every day!
We thank all of these amazing women for taking their time to answer our questions, and of course for their daily extraordinary commitment - this of course goes out to all of our employees. The GCH Hotel Group is proud to count with so much women's power. We wish all of you a happy International Women's Day!
Editor: Bea Lehofer
