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Every morning should be this inspiring! Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend the "Inspiring Women in Hospitality" event, co-hosted by founder Naureen Ahmed and Jinal Patel, VP at EQ, a European hospitality powerhouse managing over €3 billion in hotel real estate.
The event kicked off with a heartfelt welcome from Namid Mangalji, Senior Managing Director and Co-Founder at EQ Group. “When I started university in the US years ago, I was filled with a blissful belief in equality. My peers – women and men alike – competed, collaborated, and chased the best opportunities together. The idea of gender imbalance seemed like a distant concept, irrelevant to our world of shared ambition. It wasn’t until later, when I married a remarkable woman working at the intersection of tech and private equity, and as the father of two teenage daughters, that I truly understood the challenges women face in their careers. The questions and comments that fill our family’s dinner conversations have opened my eyes to systemic inequities. These discussions, coupled with my experiences, have made me deeply invested in being an ally and fostering change,” said Namid.
Held for the first time in London, the breakfast and networking session took place at one of EQ's London hotels, The Gate. Moderated by Naureen Ahmed, the panel featured: Jinal Patel, Vice President, EQ Group; Michelle Walder, VP of Operations Europe, Standard International; Emma Young, Head of UK Loan Syndication at AIB; and Louise Gillon, Head of Hotel Finance at Leumi UK. Together, they explored redefining success, improving representation, and boosting visibility for women in the workplace. Here are some highlights from the conversation that had the audience rapt in attention!
Redefining Success
What does success mean to you? The opening question posed to panelists, sparking thoughtful and personal responses about how the meaning of success is dynamic. Emma Young, who leads the syndication desk at AIB UK, shared, “Success for me has evolved. Early in my career, it was about titles and financial goals. Now, as a mother of three, it’s about finding balance and having a positive impact on others’ careers.”
Michelle, from Standard International, reflected on her journey, saying, “In my 20s, success was about climbing the ladder quickly. Now, it’s about learning to say no and aligning my choices with my values.” She added, “As women, we’re often conditioned to please others, but I’ve learned that saying no can be transformative. It’s about putting yourself first without guilt.”
“For me, success is happiness. It’s about enjoying what you do and knowing your work has a positive impact. If you’re not happy in what you’re doing, something has to change.” noted Louise Gillon of Lumi UK, emphasizing that success also means being able to look back on achievements with pride, saying, “When I walk past projects I’ve worked on, I can show my children and say, ‘I helped build that.’”
Success used to be about ticking boxes – getting the degree, landing the job, buying the house. Benchmarks instilled from my parents values. Now, it’s about the small wins and moments of connection –– Jinal Patel, VP, EQ Group
Jinal Patel echoed these ideas, “Success used to be about ticking boxes – getting the degree, landing the job, buying the house. Benchmarks instilled from my parents values. Now, it’s about the small wins and moments of connection that make a difference day to day,” she said. She also acknowledged the role of teamwork in achieving success, adding, “Today’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from my team.”
Creating an inclusive environment can also be a measure of success, as Emma noted, “It’s not just about my achievements. It’s about fostering a space where others feel supported to reach their potential.”
Michelle concluded with a reflection on boundaries, adding, “I’ve learned to define success on my terms, which means letting go of societal pressures and focusing on what truly matters to me.”
The Push for Representation
How do we get more women into decision-making rooms? This question sparked a conversation about actionable steps and systemic challenges. Jinal emphasized the importance of speaking up for yourself and advocating for others. “I’ve always been vocal about my ambitions and unapologetic about pursuing opportunities,” she shared. “It’s also about lifting each other up and creating a space where women feel empowered to ask for what they deserve.”
Transparency is a cornerstone of Michelle’s company’s efforts toward equity. By regularly publishing their gender pay gap data, she explained, Standard International ensures accountability and keeps equity as a top priority. "It’s not just a formality," she shared. "It keeps us focused on making meaningful progress."
“I’ve had to remind myself that my voice matters. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up authentically." –– Emma Young, Head of UK Loan Syndication, AIB
Emma reflected on the challenges of visibility, particularly in male-dominated industries like real estate and banking. “I’ve had to remind myself that my voice matters. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up authentically." She elaborated on how perfectionism can be a barrier, saying, “Sometimes, we hold ourselves back because we think we need to have all the answers or be completely prepared. But being visible is about taking the risk to step forward, even if it feels uncomfortable.” Emma highlighted the importance of creating space for diverse voices in leadership, noting that visibility isn’t just personal—it’s about paving the way for others to feel empowered to contribute.
Citing stats from the McKinsey Lean In Report, Naureen emphasized that while job titles and salaries are important to both men and women, women often prioritize work-life balance. "We need to create systems that help women feel supported and valued, ensuring equity becomes part of the organizational culture."
Tackling Visibility
How can women increase their visibility in the workplace? This question sparked strategies and some spicy reflections from the panelists, especially about being asked to join panels simply to "fill the female quota"—a frequent occurrence at investment conferences. Louise encouraged women to embrace these opportunities, even if they feel uncomfortable. “Speaking on panels and putting yourself out there isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for growth. It’s about taking up space and making your voice heard,” she said. She acknowledged the complexity of being invited for quotas, adding, “It’s not the ideal reason to be included, but it’s an opportunity to have a voice and inspire others. So I always go, if I can!”
"Public speaking is like going to the gym. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Start small—say yes to opportunities that challenge you," –– Michelle Walder, VP Operations, Standard International
Michelle compared visibility to building a muscle. “Public speaking is like going to the gym. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Start small—say yes to opportunities that challenge you,” she advised. She also mentioned that representation efforts, while sometimes imperfect, are critical: “Sometimes, quotas feel uncomfortable, but they can create opportunities that spark lasting change.”
Personal connections is another way to approach being more visible for Jinal, “Visibility isn’t just about being on stage or in meetings. It’s also about those one-on-one conversations where you build trust and relationships,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that make the biggest impact. For example, I’ve found that taking the time to mentor others or engage in small group discussions can be as impactful as speaking on a panel.”
Naureen concluded the discussion by encouraging attendees to find their own visibility strategies. “Whether it’s through LinkedIn, attending events, or speaking up in meetings, the key is consistency. Keep showing up, and the impact will follow."
Conversation Circles
Following the panel, we broke into smaller groups to share our personal experiences on each topic. I loved this! Reminiscent of musical chairs—except everyone had a seat—after each topic, we swapped groups, allowing for meaningful conversations with many of the women in attendance. I left with plenty of new LinkedIn connections and a head full of positive thoughts as I started my day.
Want to get involved?
Naureen hosts events worldwide, but more importantly, she also conducts monthly online sessions that you can join! To learn more about the Inspiring Women in Hospitality community, click here.
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