Meet Our Team
Marloes Knippenberg
CEO
Marloes Knippenberg is the CEO of Kerten Hospitality, a global lifestyle group she has led since 2015. Under her leadership, the company has expanded to nearly 60 projects across multiple brands and countries, with ESG embedded at the core of its strategy. A former Hilton executive, Marloes is known for pioneering purpose-driven, community-focused destinations that blend innovation and sustainability. She serves on several industry boards and champions the next generation of hospitality leaders. Recognised by Forbes Middle East and other industry platforms, she is regarded as one of the most powerful and forward-thinking figures in global hospitality today.
Mina Anziani
COO
With over 15 years of international experience, she oversees the company’s operations and plays a key role in executing its strategic vision, driving innovation, and enhancing guest experiences across all properties and projects. Prior to this role, Mina led Kerten Hospitality’s Group Special Projects, where she supported the overall company strategy and the rollout of new operational initiatives. Before joining Kerten, she was part of the Hospitality and Tourism team at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Zurich, working across multiple regions with both independent and global hotel brands. Earlier in her career, she contributed to the development and regional growth of Shaza Hotels, a Kempinski Hotels venture in the Middle East, where she last held the position of Director of Pre-Openings. Mina’s passion for curated, experience-driven hospitality continues to shape her leadership approach and impact across the organisation.
Aman Malhotra
CFO
Aman is an astute finance leader having an established track record with various global hotel players for the last 15 years. Aman oversees the group’s finance vertical, including all operational and upcoming properties, playing a key role in delivering returns to the owners on their assets. Prior to this, he has played key roles in various hotel groups in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. His strength lies in the implementation of controls and effective finance strategies, leading to enhanced returns on the owners’ investments.
Ramine Behnam
CDO
Ramine leads Kerten Hospitality’s global development, guiding the company’s growth in the most dynamic markets and strategically entering underserved locations or iconic destinations.
He joined Kerten Hospitality from Minor Hotels, where he headed EMEA Development during the group’s setup and hyper-growth phase, while previous Development roles at Starwood Hotels and Marriott International forged his appetite for deal-making. Ramine also held senior roles in advisory with JLL and in asset management for the Kharafi Group after starting his career in operations with Marriott.
After 20 years across the fast-paced and highly competitive hospitality industry, Ramine brings his natural and no-nonsense approach to hotel development that has continually fostered respect and trust from hotel Owners and investors.
Tara Marlow
Group General Counsel
Tara is a seasoned lawyer both in real estate and the hotels & leisure industries. She has been consistently ranked by international legal directories Chambers Global and Legal 500 as a leading individual and was recognised by Who’s Who Legal as a ‘Global Elite Thought Leader in Hospitality – EMEA’ 2020. Previously as a Partner and Regional Head of Real Estate and Hotels & Leisure, with the MENA region’s largest law firm, Al Tamimi & Co, she created the firm’s hotels practice. As VP Legal for MAF Hospitality, she worked with professionals of international brands, and established the legal function. She is an active member of the Advisory Committee of AHIC and a regular speaker at industry forums in the Middle East.
Antony Doucet
CxO
Antony is a seasoned hotelier with passion for creating memorable guest experiences since the beginning of his career. Ever since the birth of the hospitality group, he has been fully involved and led the development of all 100% owned brands of the Kerten Hospitality portfolio. He started his hospitality journey as part of the opening team of Park Hyatt Paris and Park Hyatt Istanbul. Prior to that, he was the editor of the Louis Vuitton City guide; community build has always been his commitment and responsibility. Building communities is one of the many focus points within the guest journey at Kerten Hospitality, which is essential to deliver successful mixed-use products and to connect people.
Mishary Alhajery
Country Director KSA
Mishary is a prominent Riyadh-based real estate owner who has developed multiple hospitality projects in the past and who is an avid advocate for value-driven partnerships with organisations such as Monshaat, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority), and other innovative drivers of the Smart City infrastructure. He is not only steering the continuous growth of Kerten Hospitality’s projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but he has been proactively building communities around mixed-use projects. With his extensive experience and passion for the industry, he heads all the activities in KSA, one of the fastest emerging countries of the region.
Maria Bou Eid
Senior Director of Projects and Operations KSA
Maria, an industry veteran with 15+ years under her belt, has worked closely with owners, clients, teams and different stakeholders throughout her years of experience allowing her to create ecosystems that work, not just on paper. Maria currently leads all of Kerten Hospitality’s lifestyle projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prior to this, Maria worked with small family businesses, as well as big hospitality chains and part of hotel groups in Lebanon, Qatar and the GCC. One of her greatest strengths, besides her dedication and attention to detail, is her ability to connect with people and bring communities together. All by genuinely working with others and curating young talents to create loyalty and engagement. As a firm believer in innovation from various sources and individuals, she understands that empowerment and trust are crucial for achieving success and growth.
Tulay Bourne
Head of People Services
With over 15 years of experience in the People Services and Operations, Tulay is a result-focused leader with a dedication to creating cultures that promote continuous business growth and cultivate guest loyalty by empowering and motivating employees to realize their full potential and their best to do the job. Having started her career at Hilton, Tulay brings many years of experience in talent management and community work, especially in, inclusivity of Gen Z and creating opportunities for people with disadvantages. She has received awards and recognition for her work. She has been invited and presented her work ”Integrating people with Down syndrome into the workforce” at the United Nations Headquarters in 2018. Tulay holds a Human Resources Management Degree. She lives in Istanbul and enjoys spending time with her two children.
Mohamed Zakaria
Country Business Development Director, Egypt
Mohamed is the Business Development Director in Egypt, where he drives the company’s growth by building strategic partnerships, expanding market presence, and unlocking new business opportunities. He brings strong leadership skills, operational expertise, and deep market insight to his role. Mohamed’s ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on execution allows him to foster long-term client relationships, deliver sustainable results, and position the company as a trusted partner in the Egyptian market.
Mohamed Yacoubi
Advisor – Development & Growth, Morocco
With over twenty years of international experience, including in-depth real estate exposure in Morocco and extensive African development, Mohamed Yacoubi held various executive positions within Moroccan-based investment funds and major Moroccan and multinational property developers, where he has successfully managed and delivered several mixed-use high-end real estate and hospitality projects, managing an excess of 2 B$ investments. Mohamed started his career in management consulting, IT implementation strategy and corporate finance, while he worked at Deloitte Consulting in the USA and in Canada and at Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Mohamed Yacoubi holds an engineering degree from Ecole Centrale de Lyon, an MSc in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from HEC Montréal. Mohamed has also been a Choiseul Africa laureate from 2014 to 2016.
Harsha Ramamurthy
Director of Technical Services & Projects
Rooted in a technical and varied engineering background, Harsha has excelled for over 20 years in the construction and development industry. Beginning his career in the exhilarating and challenging profession of commercial diving in Southern California, Harsha progressed to the petrochemical industries of Northern California. Technical, practical, and managerial experience opened a pathway into senior level construction and development, delivering major projects for clients such as Accor S.A., Hyatt (HHC), and Marriot International, in the U.A.E.Fostering strong relationships with notable corporate and private clients across the hospitality sector, commercial and luxury development projects, his network extends from the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, and beyond.
Giacomo Nicolodi
Group Marketing & Communications Director
Giacomo is a marketing and communication expert with over 30 years in the field, notably spending 25 years at OTB Group in Europe as the Global Marketing, Communication, and Events Manager. There, he led influential fashion brands through comprehensive 360-degree strategies. Transitioning into the art world, Giacomo served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Cardi Gallery in Milan and London, blending his marketing expertise with a passion for contemporary art. Currently, as the Group Marketing & Communications Director at Kerten Hospitality, he guides a diverse team, driving the company’s global growth and reinforcing his status as a visionary in the hospitality industry.
Claartje Bakker
Operational Excellence and Culture Director
Claartje has accumulated an impressive 15 years of experience across various sectors within the hospitality realm. She has successfully navigated the intricacies of events management, food and beverage operations, and the unique demands of luxury lifestyle hotels. Her journey began in the picturesque South of France, which instilled in her a genuine appreciation for refined hospitality. Subsequently, her time in India further enhanced her ability to adapt and thrive in diverse cultural settings. Claartje is a proud alumna of the Hotelschool The Hague, where she honed her skills and expanded her knowledge of the industry. Driven by a desire to give back to the community, she joined the Sumba Hospitality Foundation, an NGO dedicated to empowering the local community in Sumba, Indonesia. Here, she served as an F&B manager, utilizing her expertise to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Claartje has contributed her talents to renowned establishments such as DoubleTree by Hilton, Hotel Jansen, and The Bellhop Hotel with a unique blend of hands-on experience, academic foundation, and a commitment to community engagement.
Karolina Krol
Group Revenue Director
Karolina is a well experienced revenue professional, with a demonstrated footprint of 15 years in the hospitality sector. Her capability of connecting the dots and an in depth understanding of the multiple sides of hotel operations, have always been her focus points. She started her journey at one of the Hilton hotels in London in the Housekeeping department. Through her dedication for understanding the entire cycle of guest experience, she filled different roles in the Front Office and Reservations departments, eventually finding herself in what she calls “a favourite field” – Revenue Management. She successfully implemented the various revenue and reservations systems and platforms throughout the portfolio.
Liliya Gateva
Creative Director
Liliya brings a wealth of expertise in creative direction, design leadership, and brand strategy to her role as Creative Director at Kerten Hospitality. With a career spanning global campaigns and innovative projects, she is known for transforming ideas into visually compelling stories and cohesive brand experiences that captivate diverse audiences.
At Kerten Hospitality, Liliya leads the creative vision across a dynamic portfolio, ensuring every project reflects the company’s sustainability, innovation, and community-driven design ethos. Her empathetic leadership style and meticulous attention to detail foster collaboration and deliver impactful results that leave a lasting impression.
Beyond the office, Liliya’s passion for creativity extends into her personal life. Whether practicing yoga, experimenting with food photography, or shaping pottery, she finds inspiration in the balance between structure and imagination.
Monika Moser
Operations Director, Europe
Monika Moser is a global hospitality leader with over three decades of experience across luxury hotels, design studios, and large-scale transformation projects. Born in Caracas and shaped by a multicultural career, she has led pre-openings, restructurings, and service-culture initiatives for major international brands.
She later launched and led Wilson Associates’ European studios alongside designer Tristan Auer, overseeing hospitality projects worldwide.
Today, Monika works at the intersection of hospitality, design, and organisational change, helping companies elevate guest experience, align teams, and execute strategy. An MBA graduate of ESSEC with additional credentials from Cornell, she brings operational insight, creative vision, and human-centred leadership to every project.
Sandra Anido
Project Manager
Sandra is an experienced hotelier with a background in opening and managing luxury boutique hotels and resorts in London and Turkey in over a career spanning for almost 20 years. Her key strengths are planning, project management, general management, operations and brand implementation. She joined Kerten Hospitality to support the current hospitality projects of the group globally. Her vision is to support the properties by building successful and dynamic teams, implementing a guest-focused and genuine hospitality service culture, with great attention to detail, offering warm, personalized, and heartfelt service.
Jaume Puigdengolas
Corporate Executive Chef
Jaume is a Michelin Star Chef and he is the man behind the creation and development of the company’s growing portfolio of current and future food and beverage concepts. The menus of several successfully opened outlets within the mixed-use projects across the global footprint have been curated under his guidance, carefully applying a blend of local and international flavours, yet always with a twist and his signature touch. Prior to joining the hospitality group, he gained extensive experience in the Middle East through various encounters within the industry. Also, he has been the Head Chef of numerous restaurants throughout various regions of Spain, practicing his culinary passion.
Yahya Maghrebi
Corporate Projects and Operations Manager
Yahya joined Kerten Hospitality to support the project management team with the pre-opening of new projects and the operations on the ground for currently operational projects. In his last role, he was a Franchise Operations Manager for a French Food and beverage Franchise Company in France. He has a Bachelor’s degree in economics and a Master’s degree in Hospitality and F&B Management from CY University Paris. As an avid sports aficionado, Yahya was one of the finalists in the French National University Trail Championship and a finalist in the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge in Dubai, pioneered by Hotelschool The Hague.
Pamela Nohra
Legal Counsel
Pamela is an experienced legal professional whose dual expertise is in corporate contract drafting and compliance related to data privacy in addition to other compliance related topics. Previously she was part of the Legal and Compliance department at Arabia Insurance Company, a multi-national insurance company that exists and operates across the Middle East. She has earlier worked at Allianz Lebanon where as part of the Legal and Compliance department she was part of the global Allianz SE group established in Germany. She has a Law Degree and a Masters in Law degree in International Comparative law. Currently, she is undergoing her second Maters in Law degree in International Business Law with the University of London.
Marina Peñate Le Bail
Senior Director of Brand & Marketing
Marina Peñate Le Bail is a digital marketing and brand strategy expert with over a decade of experience leading growth initiatives across luxury, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. As the Founder of Limitless Digital and now Consultant at Kerten Hospitality, she has developed performance-driven strategies for international brands, combining creativity with data to drive measurable business results. Based in Dubai, Marina specializes in integrated marketing, digital transformation, and storytelling that connects brands with global audiences.
Khaled Hesham
E-Commerce Manager
With a wealth of experience in revenue management and digital transformation across ultra-luxury hospitality brands, Khaled guides the E-Commerce and Digital department at Kerten Hospitality. Having worked across all commercial functions including sales, revenue management, digital marketing and e-commerce, he brings a holistic approach to driving performance across rooms, F&B, spa and more, Khaled has enhanced his expertise through studies at Cornell, HSMAI, and Dubai College of Tourism, equipping him with cutting-edge knowledge in digital strategies, hospitality management, and data-driven decision-making. His ability to align strategy, technology, and guest experience makes him a key player in optimising commercial success across multiple touchpoints.
Rashma Rajan
Group Finance Manager
Rashma is well versed in numbers, a hobby, and a passion she has developed from a very young age. With 6+ years of experience as an Accountant with a leading retail group of Companies in UAE, she joined the Kerten Hospitality corporate team. Her previous role was with Welcome Group of Companies, in Dubai, where she worked at the Head Office, with a team managing 25 retail outlets in UAE. Her aspiration is to become a Chartered Accountant and she is planning to pursue her higher studies along with her job. Rashma is an MBA graduate with a focus on Finance & Human Resource Management from the Mahatma Gandhi University in India where she previously gained a bachelor’s in Commerce and Accounting.
Thimme Gowda
Finance Manager KSA
Thimme is a highly skilled hospitality professional with over 12 years of experience, specialising in finance. His career has been shaped by his work in pioneering organisations, where he has demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving organisational goals. Known for his dedication, proactive approach, and positive attitude, Thimme has successfully blended his financial expertise with the hospitality industry. His experience also includes working on a pre-opening hotel project, showcasing his ability to manage and oversee complex tasks during the initial stages of a hotel’s operation. Thimme’s passion for his work and focus on efficiency and excellence have made him an asset in every organisation he’s worked.
Shahnaz Amro
Graphic Designer
Shahnaz possesses a solid academic background from the Lebanese University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communications. She further refined her skills through a specialised 2D animation programme, contributing to an award-winning animated short film that showcased her proficiency in storytelling and visual expression, earning her third place in the 28th European Film Festival 2023. Shahnaz’s diverse portfolio includes work in branding, illustrations, packaging, and animation. Committed to continuous learning and growth, she actively advances her career in graphic design with Kerten Hospitality.
Valeria Bortolotti
Strategic Business Development Manager
Valeria is passionate about decisive collaborations that lead to success. Her journey with Kerten Hospitality began as an intern in Business Development and Marketing at the Dubai Head Office. Since then, she specialised in business development, focusing on expanding the company’s presence with a particular focus in Italy, her home country. Having moved abroad at an early age, Valeria studied in international environments, that shaped a global perspective and strong adaptability. With a background that also includes real estate practice, she leverages interpersonal skills and strategic thinking to build and nurture key investors relationships. Her role is dedicated to driving business growth and identifying new exciting opportunities to strengthen the company’s market position.
Gheed AlOthman
Strategic Business Development Executive
With a passion for driving growth and building meaningful connections, Gheed Alothman brings a unique blend of experience in business development, communications, and event management. She thrives on organising impactful initiatives and creating solutions that meet and exceed our clients’ goals.
Leveraging her background in psychology, Gheed has a deep understanding of human behavior and decision-making processes. She is skilled at navigating complex business environments, fostering strong partnerships, and crafting tailored solutions that resonate with diverse stakeholders.
Alicia Ezcurra
Business Development Executive
With a background in Finance and Hotel Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education, where she earned her BBA with honors, Alicia Ezcurra is an integral part of the Business Development team at Kerten Hospitality. Her journey began with hands-on experience through various internships before joining Kerten Hospitality, initially focusing on the European market. She later expanded her expertise by working with the Middle Eastern division and has now returned to driving growth and expansion across Europe. With strong analytical skills, an ambitious mindset, and a results-driven approach, Alicia brings a dynamic perspective to the hospitality industry. Passionate about innovation and strategic development, she thrives on tackling new challenges and uncovering creative opportunities for growth.
Sara Granieri
Business Development Executive
Aydan Mahmud
Business Development Coordinator
Aydan is a Business Development Coordinator focused on strengthening the company’s presence in the Italian market through strategic partnerships and new growth opportunities. Her academic background at Istituto Marangoni, a leading institution in fashion and design, enriches her ability to merge creativity with strategy in building impactful business solutions. With experience collaborating with international brands across global markets, she combines analytical insight with a creative approach to business development, fostering meaningful collaborations and delivering long-term value.
Karolina Szymanska
Revenue Executive
Karolina Szymańska is a seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of experience in revenue management and distribution strategies. She has honed her expertise through years of working in diverse roles within the hospitality industry, where she mastered dynamic pricing, forecasting, and optimising operational efficiency. At Kerten Hospitality, Karolina serves as a Revenue Executive, leveraging her deep industry knowledge and analytical skills to drive profitability and support strategic growth. Her dedication to innovation and precision has positioned her as a key player in maximizing revenue potential across the company’s global portfolio.
Tala Alothman
Junior Creative Strategist
Tala has an academic foundation in Creative Industries, with a focus in Visual Culture and Media Business, and brings a strategic, visually oriented approach to brand work. She combines cultural insight, commercial awareness, and digital fluency to move ideas from concept to form, applying design thinking and creative production to strengthen brand identity. By developing interdisciplinary strategies, she translates concepts into purposeful, impactful outputs that shape how a brand is seen, understood, and experienced to deliver tangible value across cultural and commercial contexts
Kimberly Manaig
Executive Assistant
With nearly six years of dedicated experience, Kimberly is a skilled administrative professional recognised for her proficiency in operational support and organisational management. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to efficiency, precision, and seamless coordination. Whether streamlining workflows, managing client operations, or optimising daily processes, Kimberly excels at building an organised and effective administrative foundation that enhances the productivity and success of any team or organisation.
Laman Akhundzada
Assistant Manager People Services
Aljoharah AlGhamdi
Admin Specialist People Services
Al Joharah is a passionate and dedicated Human Resources professional with over 4 years of experience in the hospitality and HR sectors, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Information Science. After excelling in HR operations at Marriott and Accor, Al Joharah moved to Riyadh to expand her career, taking on key responsibilities such as recruitment, onboarding, and compliance with Saudi labor laws. With a proven track record of adaptability, strategic thinking, and a commitment to growth, Al Joharah continues to contribute to building strong, efficient teams while advancing her career in Human Resources.
Akhil Bhoil
Administrative Specialist
Akhil brings over six years of versatile experience spanning the manufacturing, hospitality, education, social service sectors, and family office environments. With a strong foundation in administrative support and project coordination, he has effectively managed complex hospitality initiatives and overseen daily operational functions to ensure seamless project execution. Akhil plays a key role in facilitating smooth workflows, optimising facilities management, and supporting strategic administrative functions. His multifaceted experience equips him with a holistic understanding of organisational dynamics and project lifecycle management. Akhil holds a Doctorate in Law and is currently completing his Global MBA from the University of Western Australia—further strengthening his leadership and business acumen on a global scale.