She embarked on her journey in Malta, honing her skills in various Rooms Division roles before making significant contributions to the pre-opening team of the Westin Dragonara Resort in 1997. Angela's tenure at the Westin in Malta saw her assume pivotal roles, including Executive Housekeeper and Director of Six Sigma, while also serving as a Board Member for Malta’s Tourism Authority.

In June 2007, Angela assumed leadership of the Le Meridien St. Julians Hotel & Spa, playing a pivotal role in establishing it as one of Malta’s premier Spa Hotels. Her achievements led to her appointment as Complex Hotel Manager for the acclaimed luxury resort of Costa Navarino in Greece in 2011, overseeing The Westin Costa Navarino and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort.

Then Angela spearheaded the Sheraton Krakow in Poland, as of October 2013, where her unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership have propelled the hotel to achieve outstanding results. Under her guidance the hotel completed the guestroom renovation which led to the hotel receiving the Sheraton Grand designation in 2016, becoming the first Sheraton hotel in Poland to achieve such status.

Angela was recognized as Marriott GM of the Year for Europe, Core Brands, in 2017. As of 2019, Angela led the iconic Sheraton Grand Warsaw, where she was responsible for the successful repositioning of the property following a renovation of guestrooms and public spaces.

Additionally, Angela was also actively involved in leading the Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia & Baltics Marriott Business Council, comprising 29 Managed and Franchise Hotels. In this role, Angela championed the Marriott culture amongst all hotels whilst supporting common initiatives around company culture, sustainability, and talent development.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I arrived in Budapest on the last weekend of April to start working on the first of May. What brought me here was the opportunity to continue my career with Marriott International, leading this iconic and amazing property. I did not know too much about Hungary, but I knew about some of the key landmarks in the city like the beautiful bridges, the Parliament building, such historical icons.

The attraction to lead such a stunning flagship Marriott property in this prestigious location, could not be missed. Our property enjoys a stunning location with all guest rooms facing the Danube and with amazing meeting space including our ballroom with impressive views and terraces. I could not refuse this opportunity when it arose and am delighted to come to such an amazing city.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for quite some time, and while it's not mandatory, we have the chance to build a global career. Especially with an organization like Marriott International, which offers the industry's most powerful portfolio. With over 30 leading brands and nearly 8,900 properties in 141 countries and territories, it provides endless opportunities for people to connect, explore, and broaden their horizons.  

During recent years our company has been focusing on developing female leaders across all levels of the organization. In fact, I became an expatriate long before female leadership became one of the important topics for big corporations. I first had the opportunity to gain exposure by working on several projects across Italy.
I was going back and forth from my home country for more than two years but did not live there. It was, let’s say, a great insight into what is it like to travel and work abroad.

The first opportunity to become an expat was by moving to Greece, to the luxury Golf Resort and then to the Westin Costa Navarino and The Romanos – the Luxury Collection Resorts, both amazing hotels. I spent almost three years there and it was an amazing experience.

Afterwards, I had the opportunity to move to Poland to manage the Sheraton Grand Krakow, and I thought my time in Poland would be for two or three years max, however, I finally left after almost eleven years. So Poland was a new home for us, Krakow for the first six years and then Warsaw for the next four and a half. It was a great experience, as it was professionally rewarding to manage two very prestigious properties, very different types of properties, but both exciting in different ways.

You could say half of my career was spent in Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean, in Malta where I am originally from, in a sunny climate, and then the next half has been in Central Eastern Europe, in Poland, and now Hungary. I find that I am very quick to adapt to new countries and new cultures, and that comes with the experiences I’ve had. So, regardless of the country, I am very quick to settle in and find my way. Because you move with the same company, you know the tools, the same system, so that makes it easier too.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

My experience of Hungary so far is mainly Budapest, since this is where I spend the majority of my time. Within my first weeks, I was permanently walking around with a phone handy to take pictures of landmarks around the city, because there are so many beautiful scenes to capture. The sights and the city are even more beautiful than I expected, and I found the people in Budapest to be very welcoming, very friendly, and open. So it has all been a very pleasant experience. What surprised me as well is how difficult the language sounds. I do not think I will be mastering the language, I will try but it seems very difficult to me.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Go out and see the landmarks, the Castle, the Parliament, the bridges, just walk around everywhere since there is so much to see. We as a family, and also my friends, are into wellness, so definitely a jog, or a run around Margaret Island is recommended. In the evening it is highly recommended to have a lovely cocktail at Liz & Chain Rooftop Bar to enjoy the stunning view, it is absolutely an amazing experience. I would say Budapest has a great mix of culture and hospitality, as for foodies there’s lots to experience here.

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?

My favorite local dish so far is chicken paprikas, at DNB Budapest in the Budapest Marriott it is absolutely delicious.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Healthy fruits and foods, including avocado which I love. Because of my Irish heritage, I love black tea with milk so milk is always available.

7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?

Köszönöm is the one I use the most.  I really appreciate everyone’s support and any kind of assistance from outside, so köszönöm is definitely my favorite. It’s quick and easy enough to say, and it shows my appreciation - I believe that we always need to be polite.

8. What do you miss most from home?

‘Home’ has evolved for me as an expatriate from a specific country to where we are all together as a family. When I think back to my home, where I was raised in Malta, what I miss is the Mediterranean lifestyle, openness, and the very friendly culture. In the Mediterranean, life is spent more outdoors, maybe due to the weather, as there are 300 sunny days there in a year.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

This is a difficult one, but hand on my heart, I am in my dream job. I joined hospitality as a summer job when I was around eighteen and I loved the experience and hence decided to continue hospitality as a long-term career. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world from different cultures, and I consider myself very lucky that three decades later am still in my dream job, and in the career which I love a lot, the hospitality industry.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?

Anything in the medical field. Am scared of blood.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

In Paphos, and we really enjoyed discovering Cyprus, visiting some lovely organic olive groves, discovering the beaches, enjoying the local food, it was very relaxing.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?

My dream holiday would be in Bali, or actually anywhere in Asia.

13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist?

This is a difficult one too, as not sweets anymore. I would say a good piece of cheese, with some nuts and maybe a nice glass of wine.

14. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

Music: I was into all the 90’s hot bands, so basically anything 90’s I loved.
Films: Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman.
Hobby: I have always been a bookworm; since a young child and am still am an avid reader. I have lots of books and enjoy reading a vast array of genres including fiction, biographies, business, and leadership topics.

15. Red wine or white?

Red, absolutely red, without a doubt. A good quality red one.

16. Book or movie?

Book, these days I do not have time to read as much as I used to, but on my bedside table there are always a couple of books, and I often read a few pages, even if is just for ten or fifteen minutes. Books or these days Kindle!

17. Morning person or night person?

I think I am more productive in the evenings, hence I suppose more of a night person. But on the weekends - I like to stretch the day as long as possible - I try to make the most of the mornings as well as the evenings and aim to enjoy the whole day equally.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

I have so many. One is definitely education. The right for everyone to have access to books, and educational development. Domestic abuse and supporting females in crisis situations is another. Also helping people in need, because there is such disparity everywhere, because of the rising cost of living and other social issues that put pressure on everyone, so it is a global issue.

At Marriott International, we have several Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that we call  ‘Serve 360’ at Marriott. There are a lot of efforts globally from all our hotels and corporate offices to support different causes. Whether it is continuous development, supporting internships, or refugee employment, which is a big topic these days. Marriott is also supporting the globally recognized World Central Kitchen.

They are doing an amazing job providing access to food for displaced communities or people in need. This year, we partnered up with UNICEF, with the program ‘Check-out for Children’ where guests are invited to make donations during their stay. That donation is collected and given to UNICEF to support different causes, like providing clean drinking water and vaccines, and other such initiatives.  

There are so many good causes, and we try to help everyone in whichever way we can. For instance, we have a community of leaders from different parts of the Marriott World, and we meet up under the umbrella of the Business Council. It is mainly made up of GM’s, and every time we meet, we always try to incorporate a ‘Serve 360’ event, to do good in the community where we are present. We have supported many worthy causes.

19. Buda or Pest side?

I must say in my short time here it has been Pest all the way, but I know that there are a lot of green areas to discover on the Buda side. Since I’ve been here for a relatively short time, I’ve mostly explored the Pest side. However, I have discovered Normafa Park in Buda, and I love going there to enjoy nature and the peaceful surroundings.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

Passion and perseverance are essential to my approach. I have a deep passion for my work and the determination to reach both my personal and professional goals. It's important for me to enjoy what I do, and this passion fuels my motivation—not just for myself but also for my team.