Gisele Clark Recognized in Hozpitality's Best 30 Women Leaders in the Middle East 2025
Hotel Manager of Hilton Dubai The Walk Celebrated for Outstanding Business Performance and Pioneering Leadership in ESG and Inclusion.
Gisele Clark, Hotel Manager at Hilton Dubai The Walk, has been honored in Hozpitality's Best 30 Women Leaders in the Middle East 2025 for her exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and transformative impact on sustainability and inclusion within the hospitality industry. With over 25 years of global experience across renowned brands including Marriott, Firmdale, Jumeirah, and Hilton, Gisele has consistently driven outstanding results while championing meaningful change.
Since assuming her role in 2018, Gisele has managed one of the largest Hilton properties in the UAE with remarkable success. Under her leadership, the hotel achieved a record-breaking RGI of 132.6 in 2024, representing a 4.8-point increase over 2023, alongside a 94.3% occupancy rate and an 86.5% guest satisfaction score. Her ability to balance commercial excellence with innovative operational strategies has positioned the property as a market leader.
A trailblazer in sustainability, Gisele led the hotel to achieve the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) Gold Sustainable Tourism Stamp two years running, one of only 11 properties in Dubai to earn this distinction. She pioneered initiatives such as an on-site water bottling plant to reduce plastic waste, structured food waste diversion programs, and the use of local products in menus.
Gisele’s commitment to inclusion is equally impactful. As a regional leader for Hilton Arabian Peninsula, she developed playbooks for hiring and onboarding People of Determination (PODs), increasing POD hires across the Jumeirah cluster and rolling out the Sunflower Initiative for Hidden Disabilities. She also secured IBCCES Certified Autism Center status for multiple Hilton properties in Dubai.
Her dedication to community engagement is reflected in initiatives like the annual Tower Race, which raised AED 35,000 for the Al Jalila Foundation, and partnerships with organizations such as the Senses Center and Rashid Center. Gisele has also empowered women and local talent, achieving a 44% female workforce and mentoring Emirati women, five of whom are currently employed at the hotel.
Gisele’s leadership continues to inspire her team and the broader hospitality community, proving that business success and positive social impact are powerfully interconnected.
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