Management Board

As Chief Human Resources Officer and Member of the Management Board of Kempinski Hotels SA, Melissa Salibi is responsible for the delivery and implementation of the company’s people strategy.

In this capacity, she drives the HR agenda worldwide by overseeing the entire spectrum of human resources affairs, as well as the training function and the Kempinski employer branding. Melissa places great focus on people’s engagement and growth, as prerequisites of beautiful performance.

Melissa brings with herself more than 20 years of professional experience within the Human Resources sector. She joined Kempinski at the brand’s regional office in Dubai in October 2015, first as Regional Director, then Senior Director of Human Resources Middle East & Africa, overseeing more than 20 operating properties and leading various special projects, such as the enhancement of the brand’s digital recruitment toolkit and the launch of the global engagement activities. In addition, Melissa has been instrumental in taking initiative for the development, launch and implementation of multiple policies and brand standards, strengthening and improving the company’s HR function on a global level.

Before her mission within Kempinski, Melissa worked for Raffles Hotels & Resorts, based in Dubai. As Director of Human Resources for Middle East, Africa and India she led all HR activities around the merger of Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel. With 18 properties under her responsibility during a delicate period, Melissa played an integral part in strengthening and developing the Human Resources and Training function in her region. Prior to this, Melissa filled the role of HR Director of the prestigious Raffles Dubai Hotel, held various other HR leadership roles within Rotana Hotels & Resorts and was an HR Administrator of the retail chain Woolworths, where she started her career in 1999.

Melissa Salibi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Social Services, specializing in Psychological Counseling, from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Science in Organisational and Business Psychology from the University of Liverpool in the UK.