30 March 2026
Meet The Hilton Leaders Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Women in Asia Pacific
Asia PacificInclusionTeam Member storiesWomen At Hilton
In line with the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month — “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” — we shine a spotlight on leaders in Asia Pacific who exemplify what it looks like to lead the change.Linda Pecoraro and Gitanjali Chakravarthy Based in Malaysia, Linda has spent more than a decade at Hilton building inclusive environments where young women can see themselves in leadership, and Gitanjali in Sri Lanka, is spearheading a traineeship program that provLinda and Gitanjali are among many women across Hilton’s portfolio whose impact extends well beyond the hotels they run.Hilton has been named the World's Best Workplace and the No. 1 Best Workplace in Asia by Great Place to Work and Fortune, and its commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces where women can thrive continues to deepen. This year, Hilton was named theWith more than 2,300 new hotel leadership positions expected across Asia Pacific by 2030, Hilton is committed to ensuring women are well represented in that growth. In Greater China, women hold 27% of General Manager roles and more than 60% of DepartGitanjali Chakravarthy, General Manager of Hilton Yala Resort Gitanjali has dedicated her career to the hospitality industry, blazing a trail as the first Sri Lankan woman to hold the position of General Manager for a global hotel brand when she was appointed to lead Hilton Yala Resort in 2019. A former senior That commitment led to the launch of HAPPY — the Hospitality Apprenticeship for Youth program — a Travel with Purpose initiative led by Hilton Yala Resort designed to create access to meaningful opportunities for youths in the resort’s surrounding co“Healthy destinations mean thriving communities,” Gitanjali said. “Our long-term success depends on the sustainability of the places where we operate.”Working closely with local religious institutions and educational authorities to identify candidates, the program has run four intakes since July 2023, providing training across Housekeeping, Front Office, Kitchen and F&B for more than 50 youths.“We are proud of the impact HAPPY has had,” Gitanjali said, “Five graduates, including young women from nearby villages, are currently part of our Hilton family, while others have found roles at nearby properties, and one has secured employment oversLinda Pecoraro, General Manager of Hilton Kuala Lumpur and Area General Manager of Malaysia Central North EastLinda knew early on in her hospitality career that she wanted to lead. However, working her way up in an industry where women in senior leadership were still the exception meant navigating challenges that tested her resilience and determination.“As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I recognized the importance of breaking through preconceived notions and overcoming gender-related barriers,” Linda said, “There were instances where I had to prove my capabilities beyond any doLinda, has therefore, made a concerted effort in her career to champion mentorship programs, women-in-leadership forums, and outreach initiatives with educational institutions to create opportunities for young women entering the industry. These collaAlong the way, Linda was fortunate to have mentors and allies who recognized her potential and shared growth opportunities with her. Joining Hilton more than a decade ago, she has since led teams at Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Conrad Manila, and now HiltonLinda shares the story of mentoring a single mother who had been out of the workforce for some time. Through guidance and support, she was able to rebuild her confidence and start her own small business, which became a meaningful step towards financiLinda has also mentored individuals within the organisation who have progressed significantly including a Team Member who has since taken on a Hotel Manager role in Dubai. These journeys are incredibly rewarding to witness.Gitanjali and Linda are just two of the women leading the change in Asia Pacific. Here are three more making their mark:Fiona Pryde, General Manager of Hilton Surfers ParadiseFiona Pryde, General Manager of Hilton Surfers Paradise, is known for encouraging her team to make space for what matters most to them – a leadership philosophy she credits to the leaders at Hilton who did the same for her. A strong advocate for diveChristina Yang, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria BeijingChristina Yang, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Beijing, made the leap from lifestyle to luxury when she moved from leading Canopy by Hilton Chengdu to taking the helm at one of China’s most storied luxury properties. Under her leadership, the WalYumi Onuki, Director of Operations at Conrad NagoyaYumi Onuki, Director of Operations at Conrad Nagoya, has built her Hilton career across Tokyo, Osaka, and Macau. She has twice been entrusted with launching luxury properties from the ground up — first at Waldorf Astoria Osaka, and now at Conrad Nago