THERE ISN ’ T ANYTHING WE CAN ’ T ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER .
CAROLINE MACDONALD
Photo : Melissa Lyttle classrooms where students connect to virtual lessons from poolside cabanas or terraces and remote offices where parents work from tech-enabled suites . Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe , New Mexico , has a Daily Workspace program that supplies professionals with a kit of work essentials . With families no longer tethered to specific locations , some even stay for 60 days .
“ Rosewood is always looking to develop experiences you wouldn ’ t otherwise find ,” says MacDonald . “ Our philosophy is to curate interesting partnerships with “ insiders ” — young , up-andcoming designers and artists doing interesting things . Recommended by local team members , they might not be obvious choices , but we think they ’ re going to be notable .”
These partnerships have helped Rosewood expand its entertainment repertoire within the confines of its properties . At Rosewood Phuket , Thailand , a tie-dye artist gives lessons and around 5:00 p . m ., a bartender knocks on guestroom doors offering drinks in fresh coconuts . Pop-up picnics in Rosewood Hong Kong ’ s gardens have been popular . MacDonald predicts properties will get creative about transforming into entertainment venues while guests , especially over the next couple years , stick close to spaces they trust have taken precautions . Of course , this also increases onsite revenue .
A tie-dye artist gives lessons at Rosewood Phuket , Thailand
KEEPING IT MOVING When it comes to brand development , it ’ s full steam ahead with São Paulo , Brazil , on the scene in June ; a renovation in St . Barth , French West Indies , later this summer ; Madrid , Spain , in October ; Munich , Germany , in 2022 ; and Amsterdam , Netherlands , and Rome , Italy , in 2023 . “ Wherever our guests travel is where Rosewood needs to be ,” says MacDonald .
MacDonald says her five years with Rosewood have provided the most professional growth in her career . Dealing with the pandemic has been pivotal , requiring resilience and leadership to motivate teams so they focus on safety and don ’ t lose hope . Her superpower is her determination . “ There isn ’ t anything we can ’ t accomplish together ,” she says . “ Providing people with that certainty while giving them confidence to do things they aren ’ t sure they can do has served me well through my entire life and career .”
When MacDonald needs her own confidenceboosting exhilaration , she hops on her motorcycle . “ I used to have a Harley , but now I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Special , because it ’ s faster !” Clearly , she ’ s going places . So , what ’ s next ? Whether strategic or operational support , she has a keen and pragmatic approach to providing value in business . “ I ’ m a super-adaptable player ,” she says . “ The secret to my success is that I ' m always trying to identify gaps in the organizations I serve and figure out where I can provide the greatest value . That ' s rewarded me with great opportunities and it ’ s how my next iteration will come to be . It depends on how I can grow an organization to expand and shine .”
As for the future , MacDonald feels optimistic that society , having gone through this crisis , will rise stronger and with more humanity . “ We ’ re going to rebound , as human beings and as an industry , with a bit more gratitude towards travel and the ability to be together ,” she says . “ And that gives me hope .”
MacDonald with her Moto Guzzi V7 Special motorcycle
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