Global Mentorship Programme announces new regional directors

The Global Mentorship Programme (GMP) has announced four new regional directors for 2017. 

The programme, launched as a Global Wellness Institute initiative and now in its third year, pairs experienced spa, wellness and hospitality executives with less experienced spa managers.

Operating globally, the programme sees mentors offers mentees support, advice and encouragement, with the aim to help them further progress in their careers. Mentors must have at least five year's experience to join, while mentees need a minimum of two year's experience. 

New GMP appointments for 2017 include Daryll Naidu, director of spa at the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto, as regional director for Canada; and Dawn Tardif, founder of the BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa, as regional director for the US.

Also new to the programme this year are Rekha Chaudhari, owner and managing director of spa consultancy JCKRC, as regional director for India; and Emmanuel Arroyo, regional director of wellness at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, and regional GMP director for North & South America.

The GMP was created to help address the industry gap between the skilled and experienced members of senior management available in the growing spa and wellness sector, and the number of candidates needed to fill these positions.

The programme lasts between three and six months. Each mentor and mentee can set up their own structure but the GMP framework includes at least one hour of conversation between mentor and mentee every two weeks. Both mentors and mentees can sign up for the programme online. 

Jean-Guy de Gabriac (above), chair of the Global Mentorship Programme, the GMPs regional director for Europe and chief executive of spa consultancy Tip Touch International, said of the plans for the programme, going forward:

“In 2017 we hope to encourage at least 200 spa, wellness and hospitality professionals to join as mentors, in order to inspire 400 aspiring professionals.

"We are also in contact with key educational institutions to find ways to bridge the gap in our industry, to build or strengthen operational skills while also developing a mindset of leadership through global mentoring.”

Industry executives already working with the GMP include Shahida Siddique, chief executive of organic cosmetics brand Altearah Bio and GMP treasurer and regional director for the Middle East; and Kent Richards, corporate operations director at Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas, and regional GMP director for Australasia.

The Global Mentorship Programme is one of three programmes under the umbrella of the Global Wellness Institute’s Global Career Development initiative.

The other two are the Global Careership Programme, led by CG Funk, whose industry expertise includes a past role as director of franchise training for Massage Envy; and the Global Internship Programme, headed by Wendy Bosalavage, president of luxury services company LIVunLtd.

The GMP also has 32 country ambassadors around the world.