DELORES “Aunty Del” Williams began her journey with Sandals as a housekeeping supervisor some 23 years ago. Passionately executing her job, she completed four years in the post at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios (now, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort).

According to Williams, team members would say, “Ms Del has the eyes of a hawk,” because she saw everything that needed to be cleaned and took much pride in her work.

Williams seized opportunities to improve her skills and was among the first group of leaders to be a certified hospitality supervisor by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association in 2003. Not long after, the opportunity was presented for a promotion to zone manager.

Her managers admired her leadership skills and offered support to cultivate her full potential in the industry.

Williams recalled a former general manager sharing that he saw potential in her that she probably didn’t see in herself. She would soon after become a trainee manager and then a junior hotel manager, all within four years.

She quickly earned the reputation of always touting self-improvement and encouraging team members to enroll in available programmes to earn qualifications in their chosen fields.

Aunty Del enjoys giving her best and is always delighted at the many success stories attributed to her.

Housekeeping Supervisor Marcia Silvera shared, “I wouldn’t be here if not for Aunty Del. I have achieved six certificates through Sandals Corporate University (SCU) with her help. There were days when I felt like I did not want to continue my courses, but Aunty Del’s continuous words of motivation pushed me to successful completion. She uplifts us all and is a true motivator and giver.”

She has trained many employees in the housekeeping field, travelling to Sandals Emerald Bay in The Bahamas and Beaches Turks and Caicos during expansion.

Williams consistently exuded her passion for cleanliness and the overall operation of Sandals, and in 2010, she was elevated to the role of assistant executive housekeeper.

Amid Aunty Del’s success, she has also encountered challenges. The loss of her eldest son in 2010 was one such challenge, which she describes as “the biggest setback in my life”. However, with her family’s constant support, she was able to continue working.

Even in challenging times, she completed many courses through SCU, earning certification in five levels of leadership: Sandals Departmental Trainer, Customer Service, Occupational Health and Safety Management, and more.

Williams completed an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in hotel and hospitality management with the Western Hospitality Institute, for which Sandals had awarded her a full scholarship.

She became a certified guest service professional with the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute and a Gold Certified Guest Services Professional.

In expressing her gratitude for the opportunities that Sandals has provided for her development, Williams mentioned her family, her mentor, Julian Pink, colleague Lyndsay Isaacs, her former general managers, and the Sandals Ochi Beach Resorts executive team who always provided support.

She shared her philosophy that fuels her determination, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Williams continued to thrive and grow, which led to her receiving the opportunity to become guest services manager at the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in 2017.

Gareth Powell works alongside her in this capacity, and he shared, “Delores is indeed passionate about her job and expects a high standard of achievement from all her teammates. She always follows through and exceeds our guests’ expectations. She is a consistent motivator who encourages all that may cross her path.”

Delores Williams is a true altruist, selflessly giving her best to her family, job and community.