Ladies Who Lead recently hosted an inspiring mentor session with Khushnooma Kapadia, Vice President of Marketing, South Asia at Marriott International Inc. With nearly two decades of experience, Khushnooma shared her personal and professional journey, highlighting the challenges and motivations that have fueled her success.

Coming from a finance-oriented family, Khushnooma initially pursued a path that didn’t align with her true passion. However, her love for writing, PR, and marketing soon led her to excel in the field. She shared how she balanced personal milestones, such as joining Marriott while pregnant, with her career ambitions.

Khushnooma emphasized the evolving role of marketing in hospitality, explaining how it has shifted from a support function to a core driver of brand success. With the rise of digital strategies like SEO and automation, marketing now plays a crucial role in generating measurable business results.

Beyond marketing, Khushnooma spoke passionately about leadership, particularly for women. She stressed the importance of emotional intelligence, open communication, and fostering a compassionate work environment. Her leadership philosophy has evolved from strict perfectionism to one built on trust and collaboration.

Khushnooma also reflected on the true measure of success—her ability to inspire others. She believes that success is about motivating people to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges. Her story proves that perseverance and authenticity are key to achieving both personal and professional success.

Looking ahead, Khushnooma highlighted the growing importance of technology and data-driven strategies in hospitality. She also emphasized the value of PR and a strong value proposition in today’s competitive market.

Khushnooma’s journey is a powerful reminder that staying true to your passion, embracing resilience, and evolving as a leader can lead to extraordinary outcomes.