"Expand the Table" - A Marriott GM's Honest Take on Women and Leadership in Hospitality

"Expand the Table" -  A Marriott GM's Honest Take on Women and Leadership in Hospitality

By Author

Published on March 8, 2026

There's a quote that Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, lives by and it shapes everything she says about leadership:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path  and leave a trail for others to follow."

It's not just a motivational line. For her, it's personal.

Kadambari's journey to becoming a General Manager wasn't just about hard work and performance, it was also about someone, at some point, choosing to believe in her and opening a door. That experience is what drives her belief that leadership isn't just about the seat you occupy. It's about how many seats you create for others.

"Leadership is not simply about occupying a seat at the table, it is about expanding the table so more voices are represented and more women have the opportunity to lead, influence and redefine what leadership looks like."

India's hospitality sector has made real progress when it comes to women entering and growing within the workforce. Higher literacy levels, rising career ambitions, and more visible role models have all played a part. More women are now exploring diverse roles across functions and leadership tracks, than ever before. But progress and arrival at the top are two very different things. Structural challenges still slow down the pace at which women reach senior leadership. It's not always about performance, it's also about access. Access to sponsorship, to strategic assignments, to the right networks, and to leaders who actively advocate for emerging talent. These things still remain unevenly distributed.

The good news is that organisations are waking up to the real business case for gender diversity. Diverse leadership teams make better, more balanced decisions. They build workplaces where people feel genuinely heard and that has a direct impact on innovation, resilience, and long-term growth. Even in a hospitality market that's expanding fast while watching costs carefully, diversity and inclusion remain firmly on the agenda. The conversation has also matured, it's no longer just about representation in numbers. It's about meaningful inclusion, building leadership pipelines, and making sure different perspectives are part of key business decisions from the start.

When it comes to what practically moves the needle, Kadambari is clear. Cross-functional exposure, leadership training, and rotational assignments build the commercial and operational experience women need to step into senior roles with confidence. Structured mentorship and shadowing programmes help with the softer but equally important side, building confidence and navigating career transitions. But the most powerful combination, in her experience, is mentorship paired with sponsorship.

"Mentorship offers guidance, perspective, and support, while sponsorship actively advocates for talent, creating visibility and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. When both work together, they create a powerful pathway for leadership growth."

It's a distinction worth paying attention to. Mentors help you grow. Sponsors help you get seen. Both matter, but together, they're transformative.

For women just starting out or navigating their way up, Kadambari's advice is simple -  don't wait for a defined path. Create one. And when you do, make sure you're leaving enough markers behind for the women who come after you. Women's Day, she says, is a good moment to pause, reflect on these journeys, celebrate the leaders who mentor and advocate, and recommit to building spaces where talent, regardless of gender, gets a genuine shot at the top.


Nadezhda Shalamberidze Shares Her Hospitality Journey Across Four Countries

Nadezhda Shalamberidze Shares Her Hospitality Journey Across Four Countries

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 16, 2026

Every hospitality career has its own story, shaped by different destinations, properties, teams and guest experiences. For Nadezhda Shalamberidze, the journey has taken her across Georgia, Qatar, the UAE and India, with each chapter adding something new to her professional growth.

Her hospitality career began in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she took her first steps in the industry with Raddison Blu Iveria. This marked the beginning of a career that would take her into different markets and luxury hospitality environments.

Her next opportunity came in Doha, Qatar, where she worked as a Butler at The St. Regis Doha. The role gave her valuable exposure to international luxury hospitality while strengthening her understanding of personalised service, attention to detail and creating memorable guest experiences.

Nadezhda later returned to Tbilisi, joining Hotels & Preference Hualing Tbilisi as a Guest Relations Manager. What began as a new career opportunity turned into a significant 9-year journey, giving her years of experience, professional growth and many memorable moments.

The next chapter took her to the UAE, where she joined Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island as an Assistant Guest Relations Manager. During her 1 year and 11 months at the property, she further developed her leadership skills while gaining experience in the luxury resort environment. Today, Nadezhda's hospitality journey continues in Mumbai, India, where she has joined The St. Regis Mumbai as a Loyalty Manager.

Reflecting on her career, she highlights how every destination, hotel, colleague and guest has contributed to the professional she has become. From Georgia


Athulya Senior Care Inaugurates Third Senior Care Facility in Bengaluru

Athulya Senior Care Inaugurates Third Senior Care Facility in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 14, 2026

Athulya Senior Care has inaugurated its third senior care facility in Bengaluru at Mathikere, further strengthening its presence and commitment to building a comprehensive senior care ecosystem in the city.

U.T. Khader, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, inaugurated the new facility in the presence of healthcare professionals, senior citizens, partners and members of the Athulya family. Athulya Senior Care also acknowledged the support of Raksha Ramaiah and the MSR Infrastructure team for their partnership in developing the new facility. The purpose-built centre has been designed around the specific needs of seniors, bringing care, comfort, rehabilitation and dignity together under one roof.

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Located in Mathikere, one of Bengaluru's premium residential neighbourhoods, the new geriatric care centre has been developed exclusively for senior citizens. It offers a range of services aimed at supporting seniors through different stages of care while also promoting active ageing and overall wellbeing.

The facility features 75 suite rooms, well-appointed living spaces and dedicated rehabilitation zones. It also includes technology-enabled physiotherapy services with virtual reality-based rehabilitation, specialised memory care infrastructure, emergency medical support, nutritious diet management and recreational spaces.

With the new centre, Athulya Senior Care now has 13 facilities live across India, including three centres in Bengaluru. The organisation has also crossed 300+ dedicated senior care beds in Bengaluru, expanding access to specialised geriatric care in the city. The new facility adds to Athulya's wider network of senior care services, with 1500 beds across India. Its expansion reflects the growing need for dedicated senior care spaces that combine medical support with rehabilitation, comfort and everyday wellbeing.

With 1500 beds across India and 300+ beds in Bengaluru, Athulya Senior Care continues to work towards one shared commitment, enabling seniors to age with dignity, independence and purpose.


ICAI to Support TTD in Strengthening Accounting and Financial Management Systems

ICAI to Support TTD in Strengthening Accounting and Financial Management Systems

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 11, 2026

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) held the 16th Meeting of its Strategy and Perspective Planning and Monitoring Committee at Tirupati on August 5, 2026, reaffirming its focus on supporting public institutions through professional expertise and research.

As part of the initiative, the ICAI Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF) will conduct a detailed research study and prepare a project report to develop a stronger framework for the accounting and audit systems of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The proposed work will focus on strengthening the existing systems and bringing accounting and financial management practices in line with current requirements.

During the visit, Sri Muddada Ravichandra, IAS, Executive Officer, TTD, met with the Central Council Members of ICAI. The discussions covered areas of collaboration between ICAI and TTD, including accounting reforms, financial reporting and governance. The Central Council Members also shared suggestions on expanding the partnership into other areas.

Speaking on the occasion, CA. Prasanna Kumar D, President, ICAI, said, "ICAI is collaborating with TTD in reviewing and updating the Accounting Manual of TTD, including the Chart of Accounts, to align it with the prevailing Accounting Standards and global best practices. The initiative will also focus on integrating ERP-based accounting processes to ensure uniformity and strengthen financial management systems across all institutions under TTD."

Appreciating the initiative, Sri Muddada Ravichandra, IAS, Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), stated, "We appreciate ICAI for extending its support to TTD in strengthening our accounting and financial management systems."

The collaboration reflects ICAI's continued efforts to support public institutions through professional expertise, research-based inputs and the use of best practices in accounting, auditing and financial management. The initiative is expected to help TTD develop a modern and stronger financial management framework, while aligning its systems with contemporary accounting standards and governance requirements.

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