RASHA USTABAS

• Provided executive leadership across Room Mate Emir Hotel, the flagship city-centre property within a diverse hospitality portfolio in the heart of Istanbul, comprising a 50-room luxury lifestyle hotel, a 100-bed premium hostel, and 12 luxury serviced apartments.
• Successfully led a major brand transition while driving operational excellence, commercial growth, financial performance, and exceptional guest satisfaction.
• Directed complete hotel operations across Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Kitchen, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, and Administration.
• Held full responsibility for P&L, budgeting, forecasting, financial performance, strategic planning, and business growth.
• Directed Food & Beverage, banqueting, and MICE operations, delivering corporate meetings, product launches, commercial events, and brand activations.
• Positioned Room Mate Emir Hotel as a preferred city-centre venue for corporate meetings, advertising productions, commercial events, and brand campaigns, welcoming leading brands including LC Waikiki, Koton, and other prominent national and international companies.
• Oversaw breakfast operations, Lobby Bar, group catering, and event services, enhancing guest satisfaction, service quality, and operational efficiency.
• Increased Gross Operating Profit (GOP) by 10% through commercial initiatives, operational optimization, financial discipline, and cost control.
• Led the implementation of Opera PMS, SAP, and Logo ERP, improving reporting accuracy, operational efficiency, and executive decision-making.
• Developed a high-performance culture focused on accountability, leadership development, teamwork, and guest satisfaction.
• Built trusted relationships with ownership, corporate leadership, suppliers, travel partners, and key stakeholders to support long-term business success.
• Assignment concluded following the sale of the hotel investment and change of ownership.

• Provided strategic consulting services to hotel owners, investors, and hospitality businesses, supporting operational recovery, hotel openings, financial performance, and business transformation.
• Advised hotel owners and investors on operational recovery and profitability improvement.
• Developed hotel operating strategies, annual budgets, and financial improvement plans.
• Designed restaurant concepts and Food & Beverage operating models.
• Created Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), operational manuals, and training programs.
• Conducted financial performance reviews, cost analysis, and operational audits.
• Supported recruitment, organizational restructuring, and executive coaching.
• Advised on hotel openings, operational readiness, and service quality standards.
• Improved operational efficiency and guest experience across hospitality projects.

(Formerly Steigenberger Airport Hotel Istanbul) | Istanbul, Türkiye
209-Room Luxury Hotel | 1,000-Guest Grand Ballroom | 3 Meeting Rooms | 2 Restaurants | 1 Bar | Indoor Swimming Pool | Conference & Banqueting Facilities

• Represented ownership while successfully leading the reopening and operational management of a 209-room luxury hotel.
• Represented ownership in executive decision-making, investor relations, strategic planning, and business performance, ensuring alignment between operational excellence and ownership objectives.
• Directed complete hotel operations across Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Spa, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, and Administration.
• Held full responsibility for P&L, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, commercial performance, revenue optimization, and strategic business planning.
• Successfully delivered the complete hotel reopening, ensuring operational readiness, recruitment, compliance, and an exceptional luxury guest experience.
• Recruited, trained, coached, and developed department heads and high-performing operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability and service excellence.
• Implemented commercial strategies that maximized occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, revenue growth, and overall profitability.
• Directed all Food & Beverage, banqueting, and MICE operations across a 1,000-guest Grand Ballroom, 3 meeting rooms, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, and an indoor swimming pool, maintaining exceptional luxury hospitality standards.
• Successfully managed large-scale weddings, gala dinners, conferences, corporate events, and VIP functions for more than 700 guests.
• Worked closely with the Sales, Events, and Food & Beverage teams to maximize banquet revenue, event profitability, and guest satisfaction.
• Led renovation and refurbishment projects while maintaining uninterrupted hotel operations, guest satisfaction, and service quality.
• Established crisis management, health & safety, and operational risk management systems in line with international hospitality standards.
• Built trusted relationships with ownership, corporate clients, OTAs, suppliers, tour operators, government authorities, and key stakeholders.
• Introduced operational improvements that enhanced guest satisfaction, service quality, operational efficiency, and overall hotel performance.
• Assignment concluded following the temporary closure of the hotel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Led the company's international sales and marketing strategy, expanding distribution into multiple international markets while strengthening brand recognition and increasing revenue.
• Developed and implemented international sales and marketing strategies.
• Expanded business operations across several international markets.
• Successfully marketed and distributed thousands of clothing and wearable products internationally.
• Built long-term relationships with distributors, wholesalers, and business partners.
• Managed international product launches and promotional campaigns.
• Conducted market research and competitive analysis to identify new growth opportunities.
• Worked closely with logistics and production teams to ensure efficient supply chain operations.
• Increased international sales and strengthened global brand visibility.

• Directed financial operations across Summa's hospitality investments, providing executive financial leadership while supporting strategic business decisions, operational excellence, and long-term profitability.
• Directed all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, cost control, and financial analysis.
• Prepared monthly Profit & Loss Statements, Balance Sheets, Cash Flow Reports, and Executive Financial Dashboards.
• Managed annual operating and capital budgets while partnering with department heads to optimize financial performance.
• Implemented internal controls and financial governance procedures in compliance with corporate standards and local regulations.
• Conducted financial risk assessments and developed mitigation strategies to support business continuity and long-term sustainability.
• Supervised accounting operations including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, taxation, banking, and statutory reporting.
• Supported pricing strategies, revenue forecasting, and financial performance monitoring across all operating departments.
• Worked closely with hotel operational leaders to improve profitability and financial accountability.
• Negotiated supplier and service agreements, achieving significant cost efficiencies while maintaining operational quality.
• Coordinated with external auditors, tax consultants, financial institutions, and legal advisors to ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Monitored financial KPIs and provided strategic recommendations directly to ownership and executive management.
• Supported investment evaluations, capital expenditure planning, and hospitality development projects.

• Appointed by Summa to lead the Finance Division of one of Libya's premier luxury hotels operating under Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group standards.
• Served as a key member of the Executive Management Team during the Libyan conflict, ensuring business continuity, financial stability, crisis management, and strategic decision-making in an exceptionally challenging operating environment.
• Directed Finance, Accounting, Procurement, Payroll, Cost Control, and Financial Reporting.
• Held full responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, capital expenditure, and monthly Profit & Loss reporting.
• Supported Rooms Division, Food & Beverage, Engineering, and all operational departments through strategic financial planning and performance analysis.
• Delivered executive financial reports, forecasts, and business performance analysis in accordance with Carlson Rezidor corporate standards.
• Strengthened financial controls, corporate governance, and compliance with international audit and reporting requirements.
• Improved payroll systems, revenue tracking, financial reporting accuracy, and internal control procedures.
• Worked closely with the General Manager and Executive Committee to drive strategic planning, operational excellence, profitability, and business performance.
• Identified cost-saving opportunities while maintaining luxury hospitality standards and operational efficiency.
• Coordinated external audits and ensured full compliance with statutory, corporate, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Partnered with ownership and senior leadership to support investment decisions, financial sustainability, and long-term business growth.

• Developed marketing strategies to increase market share and sales performance.
• Built strong customer relationships and expanded business opportunities.
• Conducted market research to identify commercial opportunities.
• Supported business growth through targeted marketing initiatives.

• Conducted comprehensive market research for Korean products entering the Libyan market.
• Identified high-potential business opportunities and profitable market segments.
• Developed commercial strategies that significantly increased company profitability.
• Successfully introduced new products into the market through strategic planning and execution.

• Managed corporate communications and public relations.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Supported business development and corporate branding initiatives.
• Coordinated promotional campaigns, commercial events, and stakeholder engagement.

• Designed interior layouts and operational facilities for administrative and production environments.
• Supervised the Technical Department, overseeing maintenance, renovations, procurement, and project execution.
• Coordinated contractors, suppliers, and multidisciplinary technical teams to ensure projects were completed on time and within budget.
• Prepared project specifications, technical documentation, budgets, and cost estimates.
• Ensured compliance with quality, safety, and technical standards.
• Led technical teams while implementing practical solutions that improved operational efficiency and project delivery.