Miraval Resorts is proud to honor and celebrate our women partners and collaborators who create space for our guests and colleagues to learn, grow, and thrive.
Susan Santiago, Miraval Resorts Senior Vice President
Miraval Resorts: What does it mean to lead with intention and empathy?
Susan: To me, leading with intention and empathy can be described in one word: “authenticity”. As a leader, it is imperative that you create a safe environment for your team to be able to be the best version of themselves. This is achieved by creating deep connections with each of them by truly listening and responding to their needs. A genuine, sincere approach is one that allows for your team to feel heard and valued. It is one I strive for every day.
Dina Fenili, Miraval Resorts Director of Sales, Marketing & Brand
Miraval Resorts: What does it mean to lead with intention and empathy?
Dina: As a female leader, I always try to be self-aware. Only then can I be intentional with my words, actions, and support my team’s needs. Being empathetic is simply slowing down, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes, and being there for the team with understanding and compassion.
Candas Roche, Miraval Arizona Resort Manager
Miraval Resorts: Leadership and work can be all-consuming. What do you do to give yourself time and space to recharge?
Candas: When I think about the things I consistently do, I am reminded it is important to create a work-life balance. I am a person who recharges best in the company of others. I have a bi-monthly ladies’ dinner club, a monthly bunco night with 11 of my best gal-friends, and spend one weekend a month committed to unplugging and giving my husband, daughter, and two dogs my undivided attention.
Eliana Roscon, Miraval Resorts Sales Manager
Miraval Resorts: What advice can you offer women in the workplace?
Eliana: My advice would be for women in the workplace to trust their intuition and not be afraid to speak up. Our emotions are powerful, and they should be leveraged as a tool to gain more insight and connect with people.
Shenitra Davis, Miraval Resorts Leisure Sales Coordinator
Miraval Resorts: What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Shenitra: Women’s History Month means celebrating the achievements of women who have been pioneers throughout history despite the obstacles before them. Women are magical and this month highlights the magic for the world to see. So many women have come before us, overcoming great challenges and breaking barriers. It is great to be able to celebrate these women and learn from their success while also still highlighting current inequalities and disparities that we as women continue to fight to this day.
Miraval Resorts Women Partners & Collaborators
Lucinda Hinojos, Miraval Arizona 2021 Artist in Residence
Watch Miraval Arizona’s Celebration of the Arts video
Miraval Resorts: What advice can you offer women to claim their space and showcase their creativity to the world?
Lucinda: My advice to women is to do whatever your passion is, put your body where your heart is, and keep going. Don’t look left or right. Lead and create with your heart. The art world is very male-dominated like many other industries, but I don’t let those obstacles get in the way of my passion. For a bit, I had to create my own opportunities. I hosted my art shows, found my walls, and found ways to fund my projects. There are many obstacles for women, especially for women of color. We have those extra roadblocks, but by showcasing our work to the world, we are breaking down barriers and paving the way for our daughters and granddaughters.
Katrina Gay, NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Chief Development Officer
Read more about Miraval Resorts’ partnership with NAMI
Miraval Resorts: How can women prioritize their self-care and mental wellbeing?
Katrina: Women tend to be the major caregivers of our families, and our own care can be an afterthought. It is vital that we establish strategies and practices for wellbeing and stress mitigation. Building this into our schedules is one step we can take, including pledging time for exercise and health management, time to be near water or nature, and embracing activities that promote our spiritual comfort.
Phyllis Braxton, Miraval Authentic Circle Member and Founder of PINK Consulting
Learn more about Miraval Resorts’ Authentic Circle
Miraval Resorts: How can your wisdom, expertise, or ideas empower other women?
Phyllis: The best way I know to contribute to the empowerment of other women is by living fully into my potential and purpose in such a way that inspires them to do the same. I am always hyperconscious that my accomplishments are not my own; they belong to my ancestors and all the people I come from. I am determined to blaze a pathway for other women who see themselves in me not only to dream but realize a bigger dream. I try to use my expertise and wisdom to empower other women by letting them know that I see them and by speaking hope into their lives. As a black woman, I am highly aware, connected, and committed to ensuring women like me from communities and backgrounds traditionally marginalized—culturally, socially, economically, and politically—will obtain equity and inclusion.
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