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We are proud to introduce Aser Matter, SSBM alumnus, whose distinguished career in hospitality engineering has earned him the “Highly Commended Hotel Engineer of the Year” award. With over 25 years of experience across leading hotels and resorts, he exemplifies how technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a commitment to sustainability can drive meaningful impact.
Receiving this award is both a humbling and inspiring milestone. Personally, it represents the culmination of more than 25 years of dedication to hospitality engineering, sustainability, and innovation. Professionally, it reinforces the responsibility I carry as a leader to continuously raise the standards of engineering excellence in our industry. It is not just a recognition of past achievements but also a reminder to keep shaping sustainable, efficient, and guest-centric solutions for the future of hospitality.
At the core of this achievement lies my leadership philosophy built on the 5Ps—People, Product, Process, Profit, and Planet—a framework I have consistently applied throughout my career. This award reflects how these principles, combined with my global experience across leading hotels and resorts, have shaped a culture of excellence, sustainability, and long-term value creation.
I strongly believe that engineering success in hospitality is never the result of one individual—it is always the power of a motivated team. I foster motivation by ensuring every team member feels valued, trusted, and empowered to take ownership of their work. Transparency, open communication, and continuous development are key. I encourage innovation by creating an environment where new ideas are welcomed, tested, and celebrated, no matter where they come from. Trust is built through leading by example—showing consistency, integrity, and a clear vision that aligns the team toward shared goals.
My leadership experience, gained while directing and training more than 100 engineers and technicians across multi-property clusters, has taught me that people thrive when they feel trusted and recognized. Empowering teams has always been central to every success I have achieved in my career.
SSBM gave me more than an MBA—it gave me a global perspective and a structured way of thinking about leadership, strategy, and sustainable business practices. The program strengthened my ability to align technical expertise with business acumen, which has been vital in driving both operational excellence and long-term value creation in hospitality projects. Most importantly, SSBM instilled in me the confidence to lead transformation, embrace innovation, and make decisions that positively impact both people and the planet.
Combined with my professional certifications such as CMRP, PMP, and LEED Green Associate, the MBA from SSBM sharpened my ability to balance engineering depth with strategic leadership, giving me the tools to drive impactful change across multiple hotel brands.
One of the most powerful lessons from SSBM is the importance of sustainable leadership—making decisions that balance profitability with social and environmental responsibility. In my daily role, this translates into integrating green technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices into hotel operations without compromising guest experience. This mindset allows me to lead not just with technical expertise but with a purpose that aligns with global sustainability goals.
This aligns closely with my recent achievement of GSTC accreditation in sustainable hospitality, which ensures my leadership decisions are always aligned with international best practices and the wider responsibility we hold as hoteliers toward the planet.
My advice is simple yet powerful: invest in your knowledge, believe in your vision, and never stop learning. Success is not built overnight; it is the result of persistence, integrity, and a genuine passion for your field. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, lead with empathy, and always connect your work to a greater purpose. Whether in hospitality or any industry, those who innovate with courage and lead with responsibility will be the ones shaping the future.
Looking back, my journey from an Electrical Engineer in Egypt to Cluster Director of Engineering in the UAE, and now being recognized internationally, was made possible through continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience. SSBM students should remember that education gives you the foundation, but it’s the values you live by that define the impact you leave behind.
Aser’s experience highlights the impact of education from SSBM Geneva in shaping leaders who drive innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in their industries. The skills, global outlook, and strategic thinking gained at SSBM enabled him to transform his technical expertise into purpose-driven leadership, guiding teams, projects, and organizations toward meaningful and lasting outcomes.