Soha Zahar

Soha Zahar

Transformational Leadership Mentor
Hotel General Manager

nlock Your Full Potential with Expert Guidance

With over 20 years of international experience in hospitality, commercial strategy, and leadership, Soha Zahar is dedicated to mentoring aspiring hotel leaders, emerging female professionals, and cross-functional talents looking to grow within the hospitality and corporate sectors. A dynamic hotel General Manager with a strong background in both hotel operations and corporate roles, Soha has led high-performing teams and crafted winning strategies across world-renowned hospitality brands in the Middle East like IHG, Rotana and Four Seasons hotels. Whether you’re looking to step into leadership, elevate guest experience, build a resilient team culture, navigate organizational change or drive commercial success, Soha offers real-world insights, empathetic guidance, and a results-driven approach to help you grow with confidence and purpose and thrive in a competitive ever-evolving market.

Current Role:
General Manager Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park

Soha leads a team of over 200 professionals, focusing on delivering operational excellence and optimizing profitability for all stakeholders. Soha lead the overall hotel strategy and day-to-day operations across all departments, driving commercial performance, elevating guest experiences, developing high-performing teams, ensuring compliance and brand standards, managing owner relations, and fostering a culture of innovation, service excellence, and sustainable growth. With her all-around expertise, Soha is a trusted mentor and strong support for professionals seeking to grow their leadership, navigate challenges, and thrive in dynamic business environments.

Career Highlights:

Having worked with some of the world’s most respected hotel companies, including IHG, Rotana and Four Seasons, Soha has led commercial initiatives across the Middle East & Africa hotels and opened the first Staybridge Suites hotel in Doha Qatar. Soha and her team have been recognized for the best Guest Love scores in the region and won the traveler’s review on a yearly basis. Her ability to create winning teams that drive optimized performance will undoubtedly be a great asset to anyone seeking mentorship in leadership, team development, and operational excellence

Expertise:

Soha’s vast expertise spans hotel operations, commercial strategy, leadership development, and organizational transformation, making her a valuable mentor for professionals looking to accelerate their growth, lead with impact, and navigate complex business environments with confidence.

What You Can Expect from Your Mentoring Sessions with Soha:

  • Strategic thinking and decision-making: Learn how to approach challenges with clarity, analyse complex situations, and make impactful decisions that align with your goals

  •  Leadership presence and communication: Enhance your ability to lead with confidence, influence others, and communicate effectively across all levels

  • Building and leading high-performing teams: Discover how to cultivate strong team dynamics, empower individuals, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountabiity

  • Driving optimized performance: Gain tools and insights to improve efficiency, productivity, and results across departments or projects

  • Project management skills: Learn practical approaches to planning, executing, and delivering initiatives successfully while managing resources and timelines

Mentorship Focus:
Soha brings a wealth of knowledge in hotel operations, commercial strategy, leadership development, and team performance making her a trusted guide for professionals seeking growth, clarity, and impact in their careers. She helps individuals unlock their potential, build confidence, and grow into impactful leaders equipping them with the mindset, tools, and strategies to thrive in dynamic and demanding environments.

Key Areas of Expertise:

  • Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making

  • Hotel Operations & Guest Experience Excellence

  • Commercial Strategy & Business Development

  • Team Development & High-Performance Culture

  • Change Management & Organizational Transformation

  • Leadership Coaching & Mentorship

  • Communication, Influence & Executive Presence

  • Profit Optimization & Cost Efficiency

  • Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Stakeholder & Owner Relations

Accredited Coaching & Leadership Expertise:
Soha holds certifications from esteemed institutions like EAP-ESCP, Cornell University and IPEC Coaching. Her qualifications and extensive experience make her a trusted mentor and strategic advisor, capable of guiding professionals to achieve exceptional results, enhance their leadership capabilities, and navigate the complexities of the hospitality and corporate sectors.

Book a Session with Soha

Ready to take the next step in your career or organization? Book a session with Soha now and start your journey towards success. Choose a time that works for you, and let Soha’s tailored advice, coaching, and strategies help you achieve your goals.

Available Sessions:

  • 1:1 Coaching

  • Impact & Influence Consultations

  • Leadership & Business Development Sessions

  • Organizational Coaching

Location: Online (Available globally)

Tong Chen