Marsha-Ann Donaldson-Brown is Director of Romance for Sandals Resorts International, the Caribbean`s leading all -inclusive resort company. With over three decades of hospitality and tourism she oversees the Destination Wedding program across 18 resorts on 8 islands. Marsha Ann has 2 children and lives in Montego-Bay, Jamaica. Passionate about helping women she initiated “Real Talk with Marsha-Ann” a video interview series as a source of empowerment and encouragement to other women. She started on Instagram, under @marshaannb and has recently migrated these series to her YouTube channel you find here
“…..In life you will only get what you go after. I say to all young people, your mission in life must be to stand out, no one sees wall flowers.”
. …. The walls of your house must include integrity, at no point compromise who you are. Another wall includes your voice, activate your voice, you must speak up and speak out;”
Marsha-Ann
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I am sure the readers will be very inspired by your story. So, let’s start with What is your current role?
I am Marsha-Ann, Director of Weddings and Romance with Sandals Resorts. My capacity, and having the most enviable title, really encompasses a dynamic team of dream makers, that takes the dreams of couples that get married, and make it a reality. It takes 2 to become one; we weave the tapestry of lives together, making it so blissful, and truly building a gorgeous setting around it. Whether its firepits, or a ceremony for 2 under the stars, we are the ones with the imagination and fuse this into our nature-oriented settings. Be it the garden, at twilight, at sunrise. It is really blissful, and no day is the same.
That really sounds like a very rewarding job!
Highly rewarding, we are in the fairytale business, we take what each couple dreams of and make it a reality. But this job is not for everybody, emotional intelligence needs to be so high to really understand the couple, to feel what they feel, matching their personality to looks and designs. It’s all about morphing your empathy, to the unique couples’ experiences.
Since when are you in this role?
I started in this role 11 years ago. But my knowledge in weddings predates that.
What was your original professional goal when you started after school?
I was born and raised in Jamaica and then went to college in Florida to obtain my business administration major. I did it because everybody was doing it. Yet I felt I was being tortured; I didn’t like it, but when I did my business marketing class, my entire world opened up. I was so driven, my professor at the time told me I could give the class. When he asked me want I wanted to do, I said I was from Jamaica, and loved hospitality and tourism but you don’t study for that, this just who we are in Jamaica: I switched and studied and felt like I was walking in clouds. When I started my major in hospitality management, I originally wanted to become an Executive Chef. Fast forward, I did my internship, I did it the kitchen, and that’s when it literally “became hot”. Then got exposed into restaurant management. I was with Hilton Corporation as a Management Trainee at the time. Somewhere along the way I switched, because I went to another hotel in Florida and they introduced to being their guest service manager and this role was infused a lot of that with events, since my passion continued to grow and I never looked back. I was promoted swiftly with them.
I was exposed to an international client base; we catered to what was considered the most high-level clients to include well know celebrities etc. The level of confidentiality needed a team that really catered to this kind of clientele and resort. The hotel was an oasis for the high level clients to decompress. Taking the logistic of the operations, make it seamless, frictionless, dealing with those who were designated to design their experience; this really was a cocoon of trust, and that no media would find this sanctuary.
I worked in the capacity of Guest Services, they saw my grasp and growth for the role and I was promoted to Assistant Manager as the one to also run the facility. And I was still so young. This was the most defining aspect of my professional journey. I never felt that my age mattered. I was then headhunted into events management to another property.
What do you believe enabled you to do that?
Why do I believe I was headhunted to join another property? I really do believe that I was raised by my parents with boldness and confidence. In my mind, I never had a limitation by color, class or creed. I was taught to have a mindset of no boundaries and to overlook obstacles. My mindset conditions, to see challenges and determine opportunities. I believe my confidence and my reputation spoke volumes.
You want to expand more?
We hosted large golf events, corporate events, it was really the place to go for that. And in my involvement, I was observed by the Biltmore Hotel, Florida and afterwards recruited, I could not resist. And this move gave me more depth in my hospitality career. When I was recruited, they took me on to do that – to deal with the who is who, take care of social clients, weddings, high-end social events such as birthdays. This was a very competitive space, where one always wanted to outdo the previous person. Bring on the fireworks and all the fanfare. The property was built in 1926, a true majestic hotel with tremendous history. The famous Al Capone stayed there, you should see for yourself the beauty, the charm, the nature of the property, absolutely beautiful.
What was your journey from there on?
While working at the Biltmore, I was actually asked to run an event for a colleague; I was told – you know these people they are from Jamaica; and so, I did. When the guests walked in, I detected their accents, I introduced myself, saying that I was from Jamaica. When they asked if I would be interested to move to Jamaica; I was just not ready yet professionally. My response was – if I ever I chose to return to Jamaica, I would only want to work with Gordon “Butch” Stewart at Sandals Resorts. And the gentleman opened his jacket took out his business card, and said “you mean this Sandals?” It was not on the banquet order that Sandals were the guests at this event. Not surprising that my response was a very pregnant pause on my end.
Incredible! When did your aspiration to work for Sandals start?
In my final year of studies, the Founder of Sandals, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, spoke at a hospitality event; I went up to him (“Butch” Stewart) and introduced myself. I said “one day I want to work with you, remember my face”. And he said to me “our doors are ready”. In life you will only get what you go after. I say to all young people, your mission in life must be to stand out, no one sees wall flowers.
How did your journey with Sandals then evolve?
I flew to Jamaica and had an interview with, who turned out to be my, all time mentor, David Roper. I received an offer to move back to Jamaica but declined that due to location and not a progressive enough role. A second option at another location worked well for me. I had lived in Florida for 10 years, had great exposure to a wider life; I moved back 1997 and have been there since.
So which career milestones; in retrospect were particularly formative
I really do believe the empowerment that I was afforded at the Doral, to really lead this incredible first class boutique hotel impacted on me in so many ways. The integration of the caliber of clients: this comes back to confidence – I guess how I was raised; I was never star struck, I knew to extend respect and honor to everyone. My sense of purpose was to make them feel special; the leadership of the organization saw that in me, that I was always so composed. They appreciated my conduct and my sense of confidentiality. My strongest quality is my character and integrity.
What was your biggest learning during your career to date?
I was given tasks to do, even if I doubted, I did it afraid. In other words – when I had to do a big job, I never doubted or retreated because it was a big or unknown task. I knew when tasks were beyond my ability, I could ask for help. This was the young vibrant me ready to conquer the world. Further along in my career, the syndrome of doubting my abilities came in, to a certain degree an imposter syndrome. Trying to overachieve when climbing the ladder. Not uncommon in a gender discussion especially when climbing the ladder of success.
Can you share some tips for emerging leadership talents on how to establish yourself as a leader?
I`d like to see this as a house – you must believe in yourself; this is your foundation. The walls of the house must include integrity, at no point compromise who you are, other wall includes your voice, activate your voice, you must speak up and speak out; another wall you must surround yourself with the right people, for example have a mentor, people that are positive and people that push you. A further wall – learning is lifelong. Always be on a quest to learn. Learn from reading, listening, take a course.
What is the biggest value of having a mentor?
It’s about aligning yourself with others that have taken the past steps before you. Instead of you learning you; educate yourself on their experience, they are true leaders; they go the way and can show the way. Mentors share their journey; and can help you find who you are personally and professionally. Women are usually nurturers both at home and nurture a team. It is a paradox, society has put women in an arena; especially when you climb, you must do the same as men; as a result, you should be stoic alongside them; but we as women add so much value through empathy, kindness, compassion, and our effectiveness can be so much greater.
Did you ever have to face any challenges or obstacles because of your gender?
Don’t believe I have had it to such a level that obstacles have held me back. Maybe it has happened, but I was always so confident, perhaps I had obstacles, but I have not taken them in. Now, it is important to note, I have assessed and I would safely say, I have seen opportunities where I could have been appointed to certain positions and I wasn’t or held a seat at the table and I didn’t.
Did you have any female role models?
The greatest role model has been and still is my Mom. She has always straddled the career, the family, to this day, professionally and personally. I met others but her approach is so significant. She broke barriers and she made me understand the importance of standing out with boldness and confidence and that there was nothing that I couldn’t do.
And did you have any mentors?
My strongest male mentor is David Roper, who interviewed me when joining Sandals, he stood by my side entire Sandals journey, empowered me, encouraged me in every aspect of the way. He was my best cheerleader. He recently passed and I have made a commitment to keep the torch burning. His impact became so significant that he became godfather to my children, which shows how impactful mentorship can be.
What is the key to successful leadership or what are characteristics of a good leader in your opinion?
Integrity is key, self-awareness is vital, being visionary, being fair, being respectful, dynamic. And a category – being purpose driven, a fusion of purpose and passion. And I would like to always define a collection of C`s – character, courage, confident, compassionate, communicator, collaborate, embracing community.
In regard to community – too often when women enter the industry, the higher you go, if you are not careful, it will feel lonesome, if you don’t embrace community. Last year taught me a lot, the importance of supporting one another which propelled me to start my video series, Real Talk with Marsha-Ann. Real Talk with Marsha-Ann is a voice of empowerment, which allows us to form a community of like-minded and heart minded women supporting one another. Together we are always stronger.
How do you balance work / family and outside work?
I don’t know if there is true balance. I believe one has to be highly strategic and establishing priorities; if I had to model a day; we have to take care of ourselves first. As nurturers, typically we take care of everybody else: but we need to ensure we get our sleep, for example in my case, with rising before everybody else, I’m up at 5 every day and give myself my “me time”. I need devotion time, exercise time, preparation for my day; then I am already out of the way and am available for everybody else. It`s more a matter of prioritizing; a vital part for me was to ensure that my family knew that they were my priority. So, they know that the moment they are up, I am available for them having taken care of myself. I have always preserved some things like sitting together for breakfast, because at the end to the day, my legacy is more than a title at the office, but rather my children. I have always traveled, but navigated that at 7 am, at their time, I ensure to connect from wherever I am when they are getting ready for school. No matter where I am, they always get a call from me to aim to stick to the routine. I have specific alarms set, I always reach out by text or call when they leave school and the same for night time. They should never feel that I am so busy with work I not available for them. When they were younger, I used to prepare envelopes, with a calendar, our rituals like 5 kisses in the palm in their hand as the countdown to my return which they unveiled and used one per day. Another one was envelopes and I had written notes per day to bridge the gap; Or I would take a calendar and add smiley faces. Let’s say 5 days half frown/smile and day of return big smile on it. It’s not a perfect way, but I tried to be creative as a working mom.
I am a very proud mon, my children are now 21 and 13 and it all comes together. We all have to make it work.
How do you regain energy?
I am a big nature girl. When the kids where young I often had the “Mom guilt”, today I take “me myself and I” time, I go for an hour swim or a lunch date with myself; I take my time to decompress. Even when we collectively go on a mini vacation, I still do that and for example I make it clear that between 3-5 pm is my nap time; that’s how I unwind; I read a book or listen to a podcast. And my nap on a Sunday is “non-negotiable” What I also do regarding balance, is mentorship talks for schools as my way to give back, I find it very fulfilling.
Lastly, please share with us, what is “Real Talk with Marsha-Ann”?
I came up with this at the height of the pandemic. 2 reasons – one – it was such a heavy time, hopeless for many, I wanted to be a conduit of encouragement; I was already doing messages of encouragement. Mid pandemic, I found it necessary to use my voice in this fashion. The other was a personal mission – I was so used to speaking in public but never did a show live on social. This was foreign to me, and I was afraid. Maybe because I felt being authentic required the face to face connection and doing it LIVE wouldn’t feel real. I finally did it afraid and did my first LIVE on my social media platform. I then got more brave, faced my other fear, I threw on my superwomen cape and revealed one secret I was carrying for 12 years and I wanted to talk about publicly, so I could help other women and I chose to share that I had lupus. This was my first time talking about it publicly. I hid it for all the years because I never wanted to seem to not being able to perform; I didn’t want to seem weak but since I spoke about it, I feel I can fly. I liberated myself. To overcome my fear of going live, I needed to get my feet wet first; my first was my interview with my daughter. Real Talk with Marsha-Ann is all about a community, I have had guest from all over the world. It is Sundays, the same folks came by and get to know each other. The first season was 25 episodes. This year I decided to switch and move to YouTube. The mission is really to appeal to high achieving women and my goal is to engage, empower and educate women on topics that can help them to transform their lives to one of purpose, passion, and prosperity.
Thank you so much for your many sources of inspiration, Marsha-Ann!