Farrah Shazleen oversees human resources for the five Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels in Fiji, the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, Sheraton Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa and the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay.
The Cluster Director Human Resources –Fiji, Marriott International was recognised at the yearly Marriott International 2020 APEC HR Awards held on September 29, 2021, joined by the leadership and management teams from across Asia and Pacific (excluding China).
Ms Shazleen won ‘Spirit to Serve Our Communities’ Award.
“I am thrilled to be recognised for this award and would like to thank all our associates within Fiji and globally that have been involved at different stages to help drive our TakeCare initiatives.
This includes Marriott Disaster Relief Fund (MRDF), Solia Lesu foundation by Marriott that was activated soon after COVID-19 impacted the Fijian economy and many other,” said Ms Shazleen.
“One of the core values of Marriott International is to take care of our associates and the communities we operate in and the invaluable feedback we have received from our communities has been overwhelmingly positive.” A statement from the resort said each year, the Marriott HR Awards recognised the “best of the best” at Marriott International in the Human Resource discipline.
It said established in 1987 and named after its founder, the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence honoured the company’s finest associates who represent the characteristics of the award: achievement, character, dedication, effort and perseverance.
“Additionally, four group awards acknowledge outstanding corporate citizenship, diversity and inclusion efforts, excellence in demonstrating the company’s core values, and creating a Take- Care culture of health and wellbeing,” it said Meanwhile the 2020 APEC HR Awards had 65 winners in 11 different categories from over 10 countries.
‘Solia Lesu’ by Marriott Foundation was established in April 2020, as a response to the severe impacts of COVID-19. The innovative program by five Marriott International Resorts in Fiji (The Westin Denarau Fiji Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, Sheraton Tokoriki and Marriott Momi Bay Fiji) came together to drive efforts to support Marriott associates during this challenging time.
The Solia Lesu initiative was launched in September 2020 and since then:
Solia Lesu has supported over 25 community villages in Nadi, Momi and Mamanucas.
Solia Lesu now extends to front liners and support small businesses with donations of cooked meals, groceries and services to the hotel.
Solia Lesu has assisted Nadi Hospital, Lautoka Hospital, Local Primary Schools, Fiji Police Force, Society of St. Vincent De Paul Fiji, Animal Shelters, Homeless Shelters including street dwellers by providing cooked meals, groceries, stationary, linen and dry goods.
Close to 4000 food packs have been distributed to local communities which accounts for over 500 Marriott Associates.
Five water tanks were donated to Namamanuca Primary School in the Mamanucas.
According to the resort the “Solia Lesu” foundation will continue to help mitigate the impact of this crisis on our associates and community.
A number of partnerships are in discussion, with projects scheduled for the remainder of 2021.
Under the recently launched, Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy, a program that offers meaningful travel, Solia Lesu will be available to all Marriott guests who are interested in community engagement and building deeper connections during their stay.
