The LUX* South Ari Atoll, which is a part of The Lux Collective, hosted an exciting celebration in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th. As part of their annual tradition, the luxurious island resort welcomed influential women who are making a difference in various fields in the Maldives.

This year, six women from different nationalities, professions, and positions were selected as “extraordinary winners” to participate in an Extraordinary Quest at the resort. These women are Ajna Shareef, Aero Marketing Manager at Maldives Airports Company Limited; Shaistha Mohamed, MSP Engagement Strategist at Noo Raajje; Elisabeth Gressl, founder and designer of LANALA Swimwear; Mary Halym, a self-made artist and owner of Kakuni Studio; Viktoriia Lavrinets, Lead Safety and Sustainability Consultant at NSURE; and Aishath Alaa Abdul Hannan, Deputy Manager of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at Trans Maldivian Airways. All of these women are exceptional leaders in their respective industries and are contributing towards the sustainable development of the Maldives.

The Extraordinary Quest began with a healthy snacks workshop at Umami restaurant, followed by a self-pampering class at LUX* ME Spa, and an island tour. The participants then attended a Maldivian cooking class at the resort’s Herb Garden. The quest ended with a celebratory ceremony and a symbolic presentation of the Extraordinary Women certification. The participants received special gifts from the resort, which will help them continue their new self-care practices at home.

According to Anastasiya Babenko, the Marketing and PR Manager of LUX* South Ari Atoll, the resort invites inspiring women from various industries across the country every year to celebrate their success. The resort appreciates their valuable contributions towards the Maldives, whether it be running a small business, teaching art, or excelling in the corporate world. The Lux Collective is proud to support women in their personal and professional growth, and it recently received accreditation as a Great Place to Work. The group emphasizes the importance of inclusion and embraces equity, discovering and nurturing talented women leaders across different departments and levels wherever it operates globally.

LUX* South Ari Atoll’s Extraordinary Quest for International Women’s Day was a great success. The resort celebrated exceptional women who are making a difference in their industries and contributing to the sustainable development of the Maldives. The Lux Collective’s commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusivity is commendable and reflects the importance of gender equality in today’s society.