SKIWA Mentor · 2026 Cohort
Belinda Austen
Director of Sales and Marketing · Holiday Inn Perth City Centre
Hotel sales and marketing leader who wants to ignite the next generation's passion.
My story
After completing my university degree in hospitality management, I secured a corporate traineeship with Parkroyal on St Kilda Rd, Melbourne — an 18-month program across all areas of a large hotel where I quickly learnt the ins and outs of hotels.
From there I moved through hotels across Australia and New Zealand in Front Office, Revenue, and Sales & Marketing. Working under several managers, I quickly learnt the leadership qualities I wanted to adopt — and the styles that didn't work.
I've now been in Sales and Marketing for 13 years and I'm ready to share that knowledge with the next generation of managers emerging into the industry.
How I help
I've guided team members on conducting effective site inspections using the 'I do, we do, you do' method — understanding the client, their timeframe, and what matters most to them. It sounds simple, but so many salespeople get site inspections wrong.
Why I mentor
I want to share my work ethic with the next generation. So many people entering our industry don't realise a rewarding, long-term career is an option. I want to see that passion ignited.
