Banyan Tree challenges female clichés in photo-series

Renu Homsombat, corporate chef. "Renu belongs in the kitchen." A true artist in the kitchen, Renu leads the Group’s signature restaurant, Saffron, tantalising the palate of travellers around the world. Calling the kitchen her safe haven, it is where she embarks on a sensorial journey and lets her imagination run wild. She draws from her journey of strength to guide other women in adopting a positive attitude, recalling how when she started her career that sharing the stage with Michelin-starred chefs was a dream – and today, that dream is her reality.

Nopparat Aumpa (Kai), general manager of Banyan Tree Bangkok. "Kai overthinks everything." Constantly thinking on her feet and questioning processes, Kai is always making improvements to ensure that Banyan Tree’s guests have the best experience. Her passion for learning and congeniality shaped the leader she is today – passionate about maximising her team’s potential and recognising the need for workplace happiness. To her, “it is not about overthinking but thinking deeper”, and encourages her team to challenge their thinking and come up with new solutions.

Rosalynn Tay, senior VP, Growth & Demand. "Rosalynn is such a demanding woman." Having navigated through most of her career without a role model to look up to, Ros graduated from the school of hard-knocks and learnt that being demanding has fuelled her journey of self-discovery. She is confident that more will toast to dreaming big, aiming high and being unapologetic for having high standards. “To find purpose, you need to push yourself very hard,” she quips, reminding that there are no shortcuts in life and only through failure can each individual realise their worth and potential.

Duangjai Pattama (Kung), assistant manager, Banyan Tree Club. "Kung can’t keep her mouth shut." Connecting with people is Kung’s superpower – she enjoys learning about guests’ lives, paying attention to their needs and making them feel welcomed. She spent six months in Banyan Tree Bangkok learning hotel operations while under UNICEF’s guardianship programme and today oversees the team’s performance in enhancing guests’ stays. She encourages every woman to embrace their gifts and be fearless in the betterment of their competencies – similar to how her flair in connecting with people has taken her places.

Ho Renyung Vice President of Brand HQ. "Renyung pokes her nose into everyone’s business." Embracing every opportunity to step out of the ordinary has made Ren who she is today – an influential leader, a compassionate mentor and a discerning businesswoman. Her tenacity and disposition of “caring too much” is what pushes people around her to be more than just critical thinkers. She believes that “women hold up half the sky” and invites women to step out into the light and let passion take center stage in making a positive impact.

Khun Vorashtanan (Maew), senior material purchasing manager. "Maew is so calculative." Years of crunching numbers, negotiating with suppliers, managing logistics and ascertaining product quality has shaped Maew into the “3R” leader she is today – Responsible, Reliable and Resilient. Being calculative has helped her develop a keen eye for detail when balancing the delicate equilibrium between cost and quantity. She has also learnt the importance of constant upgrading and being ready to bring her A-game at any time, and hopes to pay it forward by supporting other women as they work towards accomplishing their dreams.