The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection introduces three key executives to its C-suite and senior leadership team, reaffirming the company’s commitment to continued growth and the delivery of luxury travel experiences.
Rachel Moosa assumes the role of Chief People Officer for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, drawing upon her extensive global Human Resources expertise to oversee the execution of the company's comprehensive people strategy. With over twenty-five years of Human Resources experience, encompassing business unit operational and leadership roles, Rachel's most notable achievement was serving as the Senior Vice President of Talent & Culture for Accor in the Middle East and Africa. In this role, she orchestrated the Talent Acquisition, Development, and Engagement strategy for over 200 hotels and 35,000 colleagues.
Throughout her career, Rachel has consistently driven employee engagement and business performance through practical strategies that fuel transformational change. As an HR Generalist, she has successfully led the M&A process for several integrations and possesses a significant background in HR strategy, learning & development, talent acquisition, and organizational change. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management from the University of Central Lancashire and a Masters of Science in International Human Resource Management and Development from the University of Manchester. She is also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and holds SHRM's Senior Certified Professional Certificate.
Rachel's broad experience in Human Resources, particularly within the hospitality sector, positions her as an invaluable asset for the company's growth. Her focus on creating an exceptional workplace experience, from onboarding to offboarding, will ensure the seamless attraction, development, and retention of top talent.
In a strategic move to bolster its marketing endeavors, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection welcomes Gaby Aiguesvives as the company’s first Chief Marketing Officer. Gaby brings a wealth of marketing and strategic experience from her previous role at Saks/Hudson’s Bay Company, where she led marketing strategy, analytics, personalization, loyalty, and insights functions. Prior to this role, she spearheaded growth and performance marketing for all of Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) brands, including Saks, OFF 5TH, Lord & Taylor, and The Bay. Gaby initially joined HBC as Director of Corporate Strategy in October 2014 and subsequently held various leadership roles.
Prior to joining HBC, Gaby served as a management consultant at The Cambridge Group, focusing on developing growth strategies for retail and consumer companies. Gaby's career has been marked by her leadership in customer loyalty, analytics, insights, personalization, and marketing analytics. She holds a B.S. in Finance & Economics from Penn State University and an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
In her new role as CMO, Gaby will oversee best-in-class marketing initiatives designed to elevate brand awareness and drive consideration among qualified target audiences, strategically positioning The Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection as an unparalleled ultra-luxury travel experience. Gaby will spearhead efforts to deepen customer knowledge throughout all phases of the customer lifecycle to inspire, engage, and retain them effectively. With a background rooted in corporate strategy and customer insights, and a track record of success in scaling performance marketing for luxury brands, Gaby is well-positioned to lead the company’s marketing strategy and fuel growth.
To continuously elevate the luxury yachting experience through innovative technology solutions, Lakshmanan Duraisamy (Lak) takes on the role of Senior Vice President of Information Technology. Lak brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience, having played pivotal roles in driving digital transformations for Amazon, Carnival Corporation, Walt Disney World, and Open Text Corporation, among others. His contributions have consistently led to digital transformations, advanced information architecture and systems, streamlined technology operations, and enriched overall guest experiences through innovative technology solutions. With a Master of Science in Computer Science from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Lak has a proven track record in technology leadership.
In his new capacity, Lak will spearhead the IT strategy, applying his wealth of experience to further optimize the company’s technological efficiency, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency to continue defining the future of luxury cruising. He brings a wealth of knowledge, a history of successful leadership, and a commitment to excellence, positioning the brand for continued success in the evolving landscape of luxury travel.
“We extend a warm welcome to Rachel, Gaby, and Lak, who bring impressive backgrounds and proven track records to our leadership team,” expressed Jim Murren, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection. “Together, we are dedicated to understanding our guests, fostering an environment where our dedicated Ladies and Gentlemen thrive, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and world-class team.”
Ernesto Fara, President and CFO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, added, “The addition of Rachel, Gaby, and Lak marks an exciting chapter for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Their unique talents and expertise align seamlessly with our vision, propelling us further as a global leader in ultra-luxury travel.”
