What Makes Mandala
Happily Different?

Wilson is a Chartered Accountant with diverse experience spanning the automotive, asset management, and hospitality sectors. He is passionate about turning complex financial data into clear, actionable insights to ensure Mandala Hotels & Resorts can achieve continued sustainable growth. Known for his practical approach and commercial mindset, Wilson partners closely with stakeholders to bridge the gap between numbers and real-world outcomes.

Outside the office, Wilson is an enthusiastic home cook who loves bringing people together over great food, often hosting family and friends with dishes made from scratch. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community, volunteering his time across several charities. As Treasurer for a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with disability, he plays a key role in ensuring strong financial stewardship and long-term impact.

Murray Emerton is a hospitality operator who treats venues like finely tuned engines—precision-driven, performance-focused, and always built for profit. With a sharp eye on the numbers and an even sharper instinct for operations, he thrives on turning good businesses into great ones.

Murray gravitates toward like-minded operators who share his pace, standards, and appetite for success, and he’s at his best when building teams that deliver both experience and margin.

Outside the venue, you’ll find him trading the pass for powder, chasing his kids down ski mountains on a snowboard, usually with the same energy he brings to the floor: fast, focused, and just a little competitive.

Tracy is a culture curator and talent strategist with over 20 years of experience shaping talent, culture, and corporate social responsibility into meaningful business impact. Blending expertise across executive coaching, people management, ESG, and communications, she turns values into action and workplaces into thriving, purpose-led ecosystems.

At Mandala Hotels & Resorts, she’s the driving force behind talent engagement and development bringing staff communications, training, and systems to life with clarity and care.

Tracy also manages local community giving partnerships, ensuring Mandala not only cares for its guests but also contributes meaningfully to the communities we operate in. Equal parts explorer and experience enthusiast, Tracy loves to travel and is always on the lookout for inspiration and a great hotel experience!

Michelle Harrold brings more than 15 years of experience across hospitality, tourism, MICE and corporate travel. As Hotel Solutions Manager for Mandala Hotels & Resorts, she is focused on driving commercial performance across the portfolio through strong partnerships, strategic thinking and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Known for her relationship-focused approach, Michelle has built a reputation for delivering results while creating meaningful connections with clients and industry partners. Her extensive industry knowledge allows her to identify opportunities, foster collaboration and create value for both clients and hotel stakeholders.

Outside of work, Michelle can usually be found chasing after her two energetic kids, enjoying a good glass of wine with friends or passionately supporting the Brisbane Lions, win or lose.

Taryn is a commercially driven hospitality leader with extensive experience leading portfolio-level sales and commercial strategy across multi-property hotel networks. With a strong background spanning sales, revenue, distribution and marketing, she specialises in aligning commercial functions to deliver revenue growth, market share, and long-term asset performance.

Having worked across both branded and independent hotel portfolios, Taryn is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating commercially sustainable outcomes, and is recognised for her ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.

Outside of work, she is mum to a very energetic two-year-old son who keeps life moving at full speed. She can read an STR report faster than a bedtime story and is equally skilled in hotel commercial strategy and toddler snack negotiations.

Elena is a commercially minded problem solver who believes great hospitality is driven equally by numbers and intuition. As Director of Business Development at Mandala Hotels & Resorts, she works with owners and investors to grow hospitality assets through strategic thinking and a hands-on approach that delivers results.

With experience across hospitality operations, analytics, and project delivery, Elena has a unique ability to connect the bigger picture with the finer details. Known for asking the right questions (often followed by a spreadsheet), she combines data-led insight with instinct, moving seamlessly between financial modelling and guest experience to unlock performance across the business.

Currently undertaking a PhD in sustainable hospitality, Elena is focused on practical solutions to complex operational challenges. Originally from Moldova and having lived and worked across 26 countries, she brings a global perspective and curious mindset to everything she does. Outside of work, she is usually planning the next project—or the next trip!

Andrew is a highly experienced hospitality leader with a career spanning decades across some of Australia’s most recognised hotel brands. With expertise in hotel operations, commercial performance and leadership, he specialises in helping hotel teams strengthen revenue, improve performance and build successful businesses.

Passionate about mentoring and developing people, Andrew believes great leadership is at the heart of every great hotel. He thrives on Mandala’s diverse mix of properties and brands and enjoys the challenge that comes with no two days ever looking the same.

A self-confessed people person, Andrew has spent his career creating memorable experiences, building strong teams and proving that sometimes the best careers begin with an unexpected first shift.

Ben Cullis has spent more than 25 years in the hospitality industry, with much of his career dedicated to regional motels. Having worked across a variety of departments, he began his journey as a Night Auditor and still enjoys the challenge of problem solving and finding solutions when things do not quite add up.

Together with his wife, Renee, Ben joined Mandala Hotels & Resorts in 2013 when the group consisted of just four properties. Since then, he has proudly watched the business grow into the portfolio it is today and is grateful to have played a part in its success and evolution.

Outside of work, Ben is passionate about sport and movies, and on occasion has been lucky enough to combine his hobbies with his career, meeting and looking after a number of Hollywood stars and professional athletes along the way.

Katrina is a passionate hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience across the hotel industry, having built her career from the ground up. With a strong background in hotel operations, leadership and service excellence, she brings a practical, people-first approach and a genuine commitment to creating exceptional experiences for guests, owners and teams.

Alongside her hospitality expertise, Katrina is also a licensed real estate agent with specialised experience in strata management, body corporate relationships and trust accounting, combining her operational knowledge with property expertise to deliver practical solutions and strong stakeholder relationships.

A true people-focused leader, Katrina is passionate about recognising potential and helping others grow. She takes great pride in seeing team members progress into confident professionals and future leaders, creating environments where people feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.

Adam Pownall has built his culinary career across multiple venues throughout the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region before taking on a Head Chef role in Port Douglas with Mandala Hotels & Resorts. Now serving as Executive Chef, he combines hands-on culinary expertise with a strategic approach to food and beverage operations across the portfolio.

Passionate about local sourcing and supporting small businesses, Adam works closely with producers to bring quality ingredients to venues nationwide. Despite travelling extensively between properties, he remains deeply involved with each team, fostering strong relationships with chefs, front-of-house staff and hotel leaders to create memorable dining experiences and exceptional hospitality.

At Mandala Hotels & Resorts, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in creating opportunities for passionate individuals to grow, develop and build rewarding careers across our diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts. Whether you’re just starting your hospitality journey or bringing years of experience, you’ll be part of a supportive team that values collaboration, innovation and genuine hospitality. Join us and discover a career where you can make a real impact while growing alongside one of Australia’s fastest-growing hotel management companies.

Careers at Mandala