Two key senior leadership positions have been appointed, with Gordon Drake to begin as Chief Financial Officer and Rasha Lababidi starting as Chief Product Officer.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Gordon and Rasha to the senior leadership team at Kempinski Hotels,” said Barbara Muckermann.
“Now is a pivotal time for the company as we usher in a new era of the brand’s 127-year journey in the luxury hospitality space. We are at the precipice of transformational change and with these strategic appointments, I am excited for what’s to come.
“Gordon and Rasha represent the best in their fields, and I look forward to working closely with them to define the next chapter for this iconic brand.”
Gordon Drake takes CFO role
Gordon Drake has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer for Kempinski Hotels. In his role, Gordon will oversee the company’s financial operations, analysis and risk assessment. Gordon will also play a vital role in the company’s strategic initiatives moving forward and ensure the effective utilisation of financial resources to enhance profitability and drive growth.
A noted leader in the real estate and hospitality industry, Gordon joins Kempinski with over 30 years of global experience in corporate capital markets, asset management, risk management as well as the development and implementation of operational and financial strategy.
Rasha Lababidi begins as Chief Product Officer
Rasha Lababidi has been appointed as the new Chief Product Officer for Kempinski Hotels. In this newly created role, Rasha will lead product innovation, design and guest experience across the brand’s luxury global portfolio.
With over 25 years of executive marketing management, branding, guest experience, product and concept development, innovation and transformational corporate strategy expertise within luxury hospitality and real estate, Rasha brings a wealth of experience and strategic acumen to the role.
“I am excited to be joining Kempinski, a brand renowned for its exceptional service and luxury experiences. As Chief Product Officer, my focus will be on driving innovation and enhancing the guest journey through thoughtfully curated offerings and forward-thinking solutions,” says Rasha Lababidi, Chief Product Officer.
“I look forward to collaborating with the team to continue delivering world-class products that align with our commitment to excellence and meet the evolving needs of our discerning guests.”
Rasha previously held the esteemed position of Senior Director of Marketing at Emaar and Head of Marketing at Al Maabar International Investments (currently Eagle Hills). From innovation to revitalization, Rasha has led brand, marketing and concept development teams for some of the region’s most iconic brands and destinations.
Rasha is also the co-founder of Meraki & Modus, a concept and strategy firm specialising in creating visionary concepts and strategies for luxury lifestyle destinations around the world. To date, Meraki & Modus has successfully delivered over 150 hospitality concepts across four continents in addition to corporate transformation projects for property development, masterplan visioning and go-to-market strategies for some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality and property development groups.
