Whoever said it’s a man’s world hasn’t met the 5 women we profile here. They are the driving force behind some of our favourite venues. They each bring their own unique energy and an innovative approach to their roles and are some of the most influential women in Bali. We talked to Isabella Rowell, Musa Nova, Angela Raviella, Dom Tropical, Danti Yuliandari, Landriati Pramoedji, and Noura Ben Salah about working in the hospitality industry on our beloved island.
Isabella Rowell
She is the driving force behind some of Bali’s most successful restaurants including Motel Mexicola and Da Maria, now talented restaurateur Isabella Rowell has partnered up to introduce Bali to natural wines at the atmospheric bar and eatery, Mosto in Berawa.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
I started working in a bar when I was 17 in Spain. I loved the sense of family hospitality created for me. It kept me focused and excited which is important at a young age.
What makes you feel empowered?
So many things in this industry empower me: but I feel empowered mostly by creating spaces and environments for people to enjoy themselves in. Also cultivating an environment for myself , my business partners and employees to grow in.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The challenge it creates. I am constantly learning and growing. The hospitality industry is ever changing and you need to push yourself and boundaries in order to keep up and stay relevant.
What’s your favorite place to rest and relax in Bali?
With my dogs by my pool – But if you had to get me out of the house I would say up at bingin by the ocean. Also a glass of wine at Riviera to wind down is a good form of relaxation for me.
Musa Nova
Musa Nova is a DJ and producer, who plays at all the best beach clubs and bars. You can spot her on Wednesdays at Milano Canggu or behind the decks at Finns Beach Club. Her musical talent and radiant personality brings the good vibe to the parties she plays at.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
I always felt myself deeply connected to people and i the thing of giving & sharing. Pure female energy. In bali I’ve got opportunity to bloom.
What makes you feel empowered?
Great question! My professional skills, positive feedback, healthy body, emotional balance, tight schedule and my bank account for sure.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Smiles, that’s priceless. To see that I’m bringing happiness to this world. Each time I’m covered in a goosebumps because of that.
What’s your favorite place to rest and relax in Bali?
Close to my home – Batu Belig beach, Warung Pantai, no music, sound of the waves. Love it!
Angela Raviella
Driven through passion and innovation, Raviella Angela also known as Angie found herself being interested in the anatomy of spirits, cocktails, and other flavourous beverages. Her talent and creative vision have then established her to work at some places in Bali, such as Hard Rock Hotel, Blanco par Mandif, Jungle Fish, and Mamaka by Ovolo. She has made several achievements in her career including Runner Up at Captain Morgan Competition in 2018 as well as Second Runner Up at The Master Bartending Championship in 2020. She had also been active in doing collaborations with some brands and outlets doing takeovers and video projects. All the journey has now taken her to this spot as Brown-Forman brand development in Bali.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
Honestly, I was just accompanying my friend to go to one of the presentations in a campus fair. I didn’t realize I’d been very into hospitality, specifically in food and drinks scene. After that I decided to go to Trisakti Institute of Tourism. I just felt it fitted me, especially after trying it out myself on the bar internship, I just fell in love.
What makes you feel empowered?
I’m sure people know that being a woman in what they call “a man’s world” can be challenging. However I’ve known many superb women who nailed their career like a boss. I always try to be fearless no matter all the negative comments towards me as a woman in the industry, and it satisfies me a lot to prove that I am capable. More than that, i feel so empowered when other women can feel inspired by what I do, or what I say, when I can share one or two things for women in the same fight.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is to discover new stories, new knowledge, new connections through people around the world. It’s just amazing how being in a hospitality industry can connect so many amazing people together. My second favorite part is performing the art of mixing and bartending like we’re the talents of the stage, spreading good vibes to people. And the bonus favorite part is, I got to savor delicious food and drinks in the industry.
What’s your favorite place to rest and relax in Bali?
I assume besides home and villas? I have several go-tos based on the mood; Lemon and Salt Rooftop and Mamaka Rooftop for sunset and chill, Double Six beach for beers and alone time, and Behind The Green Door (on a regular day) for late night talks.
Dom Tropical
Dom Tropical, whose real name is Dommy Hammond, is a plant-based chef and consultant. She cooks with an earth-to-plate philosophy, with sustainability and nutrition at the heart of each dish.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
I was looking to try something different after leaving my career in filmmaking, so I found a position washing dishes at a cafe on a uni campus around 6 years ago. I fell in love with the buzz and hustle bustle of a restaurant. At this time I changed my diet to vegan and my passion for cooking grew tremendously.
When I moved to Bali, I began developing menu’s with my best friends Lauren and Corryn at Kynd. This helped develop my skills as a chef and I started to work as a consultant, creating plant based menu’s and recipes all over Bali and beyond.
What makes you feel empowered?
I feel most empowered when I travel and learn about different cultures, recipes and the variety of plant species available to create with. Sharing my extensive knowledge about the benefits of plant based eating for the body and planet with my teams, friends and guests also gives me a great sense of purpose.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I love having the opportunity to meet and work with all different types of people around the world and to inspire them to be creative with plants. The research and development aspect of my role keeps me on my feet, I’m constantly discovering new culinary techniques, edible plant species and flavours to push me into new realms of possibility.
What’s your favorite place to rest and relax in Bali?
One of the most beautiful places to relax for me is up in Candidasa / Jasri area on the East coast. I love chilling out under the palms at Pasar Putih, chatting to the locals and eating traditional plates of Gado gado with the best peanut sauce you can imagine!
Danti Yuliandari
Danti Yuliandari is the Director of Marketing at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a evocative five-star resort standing atop the majestic cliffs of Nusa Dua. She describes her role as a combination of storyteller, strategic alchemist, data-enthusiast, and creative explorer. She enjoys collaborating and coordinating across disciplines and bringing together the ideal partners, challenges and ideas to drive campaign success. An award-winning marketer, Danti has spent over 11 years managing international luxury hotel brands. Outside of work, this Balinese lady enjoys running and meditation.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
My bachelor degree was in Law, however since I was 19 – I knew that I will pursue my passion in branding, marketing and communications. I started my career in hotel industry after graduation in 2010 and have been developing my career path since then.
What makes you feel empowered?
I always see things from personal and professional perspective. Professional-wise, empowerment to me is the freedom to do what you feel valuable, bring impact and difference that leads to the company’s future success. On the other hand, I define personal empowerment as a continuous process of learning and growing that brings you a certain level of confidence to take control of your life.
What is your favourite part of your job?
I am grateful to be the part of The Apurva Kempinski Bali’s family and work alongside with colleagues who has strong capabilities, intelligent, hard-working, and responsible – hence we always think and dream big. The great part is my career allows me to meet with different profiles across disciplines and to be able to share the same vision and interest with these remarkable persons – this is luxury.
What is your favourite place to rest and relax in Bali?
My family and I love spending time at the beach. Sea breezes, sunshine, good breakfast, and the gentle sound of waves – nothing beats a beach vacation for us!
Landriati Pramoedji
Founder and CEO of Dine and Wine Bali, Landriati is Indonesian, born and raised in Germany, where she acquired a banking diploma and developed her creative skills through her passion in art. During her studies, Landriati worked in the restaurant industry & event management and the rest is history. After 10 years as a stock exchange broker, she decided to freelance in hospitality and event management. Her organisation and professional skills grabbed the attention of Mercedes/AMG group, who took her onboard as the youngest Catering Manager of the ITC Racing Team 1996. After 30 years in Europe she decided to come back to her motherland, Indonesia, in 1997.
1. What brought you to the hospitality industry?
My love for food, exploring the latest creations and connecting with people has brought me to the hospitality industry.
I myself love to cook, which for me is an act of art, like painting or sculpture.
As any creation requires dedication and passion, therefore for me, food and drinks (of course also cocktails and wine) are to be highly respected before consuming.
In my opinion, it is important to interact with guests as their host but also to offer an overall dining experience, in creating memorable moments to open guests’ senses through a visual and gustatory adventure.
When I came back home to Indonesia, after living abroad for 30 years, mostly in Germany, I saw, in many stand-alone restaurants, a lack of professionalism and dedication within the hospitality industry.
In 2010 I decided to start a restaurant consulting company, Dine & Wine Bali, which is also a restaurant guide. Sharing my knowledge and experience was the main driver to open this company. In 2020, a group of friends from the industry created Sendok Kreatif Bali, a charity movement assisting home-based culinary micro-businesses, by sharing our savoir-faire in order for them to secure a better and sustainable future.
I am also involved in With Love from Bali. a new e-platform for holistic retreats, healers, and healthy food products, to elevate Bali as a healing destination.
2. What makes you feel empowered?
Being in nature and gardening, making friends and family happy through my baking. Meditation and painting on a regular basis are my daily fuel. Discovering more about herbal medicines and ancient healings are all the things that empower me.
3. What’s your favourite part of your job?
Training people is a major and my favourite part of my job. It is the space where I can blend my creativity with my knowledge and share this with others. My aim is to inspire people to progress and elevate through their talents, witnessing how they evolve into a fruitful future.
Seeing those we help and encourage reaching success or achieving their goals is a great motivation.
4. What’s your favourite place to rest and relax in Bali?
For now, my favourite place is Ubud. Its natural environment is quite special. I very much feel its unique energy even when relaxing in a villa or resort in Ubud.
And of course, as a foodie, I am amazed and blown away, by how Ubud became a major culinary destination within the past years, with many Chefs creating and developing Indonesia’s local ingredients into a world-class dining experience.
So, yes, Ubud is my favourite space to log off from the city buzz and spoil myself with astonishing culinary journeys discovering new venues and cuisine.
Noura Ben Salah
Dutch-born Moroccan, Noura, grew into her present role at Alila Uluwatu. Now the GM of Eleven Hospitality, she skillfully manages Milano Restaurant & Bar and White Goose Hotel In Berawa, Canggu where her warmth and passion is felt in every department from the kitchen to the boutique hotel and the lively restaurant and bar. Noura has been working in the hospitality industry for almost two decades in companies located in Netherlands and Indonesia.
What brought you to the hospitality industry?
I have a lot of acquaintances asking me what motivated me to pursue a career in the hotel and tourism industry. The reason why I love hospitality so much is simple: it’s fun – as in enjoyable. All the dynamics, all the shifting with different responsibilities and the feeling you have when you start as a trainee and end up in a managing position, it’s more than satisfactory at the end of the day. And it does not stop with the customer-facing part of the hotel, you have the opportunity to meet and socialise with people representing of all nationalities in places all around the world.
What does is it mean to be an empowered woman?
I believe my empowerment both individually and collectively as women is to have the ability to be owners of our own actions, to take action and, ultimately, to lead our own lives. I feel that I have developed my own leadership style. Being an empowered woman does not mean repeating traditionally male leadership patterns, but rather that as a professional I am able to find my own way to inspire and motivate others. I am committed to innovation. To achieve, I assume the responsibility for creating change, of leaving the traditional role that society has assigned for me to explore innovative paths, both in my way of acting and in my work projects.
Lastly what gives me the best feeling of satisfaction and empowerment is promoting like-minded women in my life. Being aware of the circumstances and obstacles that many working women face, we do not seek to compete or compare ourselves with others, but instead fight to eliminate barriers and invite other professionals to follow in my wake.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Did you know that the travel and tourism industry is the 21st century’s fastest growing industry? Keeping this in mind you can only imagine how vast this industry is, growing and changing daily, which keeps the job as exciting as ever. The hospitality industry allows you to develop yourself – professionally and as a person. Not only do you improve on the professional skills you already possess, but with time and commitment you learn others due to the variety of colleagues, clients and situations that will put you to the test. With today’s fast-growing businesses, more and more focus is channelled towards making a profit, which is the main purpose of business; however, in hotels the products are not limited to events, meals, rooms or drinks – they extend to service and there is always a way to improve services and our service-industry skills.
What’s your favourite place to rest and relax in Bali?
My favourite place for relaxing in Bali is definitely hiding out in the jungle waking up to cool fresh air, seeing the mountain with sunrise or sunset, hearing the birds. There is just something so magical and tranquil in the northern and western parts of Bali. I’ve been living here for 5 years now and I have made it a mission for myself to explore as much of Bali as I can. There are so many new places which I am still exploring these days.
