An Infectious Personality with a Heart of Gold
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Manida Xongmixay-Lau is a versatile and achievement-driven leader who forges her own path to success. Having worked in diverse industries including the hospitality and gaming sectors across Asia and the US, her strategic vision with a hands-on approach has made her scale new industry benchmarks. Her magnetic personality and sharp acumen have made her effectively connect with diverse teams and clients.
Dr Manida was born in Thailand to a Thai-Chinese family and was raised by a single mother. At 11, she moved to Macau, where she spent her formative years before pursuing higher education in Hawaii. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and an MBA from Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 2021, she completed her Doctor of Business Administration from California Southern University.
Her professional journey began with her hospitality career at 18 as a Front Desk Receptionist at Hyatt Regency Macau after high school, inspiring her decision to major in Travel Industry Management. While at university, she interned in the Human Resources Department at HTH Corporation, where she stayed for over 15 years, gaining diverse experience across departments. Under the mentorship of Ms. Linda Morgan, she developed compassionate leadership skills. Later, she joined pre-opening teams for prominent properties in Macau, including Venetian Macau, City of Dreams Macau, and its sister properties. Since 2016, she has led the Okada Manila project, part of its opening and ongoing operations in Casino Marketing.
She proudly mentions her 24-year-old son, who inspires her every day. She also finds great motivation in seeing the success of the team members she has worked with, as their growth inspires her to move forward. Sharing her knowledge with others is something she deeply enjoys, and she is currently in the process of publishing a book to share her experiences. She says, “Through this book, I aim to provide valuable insights and inspire others in their personal and professional journeys, continuing my passion for learning and teaching.”
While discussing her strengths, Dr Manida says, “I am eager to learn, unafraid to ask questions, and willing to start from the bottom, which has enabled me to adapt to dynamic industries throughout my career. Transitioning from a 15-year human resources veteran to life insurance, information technology, and casino marketing roles, I have consistently embraced new challenges and acquired diverse expertise. I view criticism as a tool for growth and use it to improve myself continually.” On the other hand, she discloses that while her adaptability is a significant strength, it can sometimes be perceived as a lack of focus or inexperience, which she works to address through consistent learning and demonstrating her capabilities.
Dr Manida recalls how, in her early life, she focused on proving herself, but certain events led her to reevaluate her work-life balance. She adapted her management style to emphasise delegation and empowerment, fostering a collaborative team dynamic. She and her assistant seamlessly cover for each other during absences, enabling personal time while ensuring continuity. This approach prepares her for leadership and promotes mutual learning and growth, achieving harmony between professional success and personal well-being.
She says her leadership style is transparent, collaborative, and knowledge-sharing. She embraces an open-book management approach, where her team and she benefit from exchanging ideas and learning. She says, “I encourage team members to explore new skills and take on challenges that enhance their growth. In the office, I prioritise being approachable and relatable, presenting myself as a colleague eager to share and learn together. I view my title as a reflection of my responsibilities, not a hierarchy, fostering mutual respect and teamwork.”
Dr Manida has been bestowed with several awards and has been recognised for her leadership, including being in the November 2024 issue of NBC Washington News as one of the “Top 35 Global Women Thought Leaders and Their Initiatives: Bringing Change, Innovation, and Social Impact.” She was also featured in the August 2023 issue of Macau Business in “Seizing the Momentum” and Issue 28 of SIGMA Magazine in “Shaping the Future: IRs in the Philippines. She has also won the 2024 CXO2.0 Business Leadership Excellence Award. She is also part of the United Nations AIFOD (AI for Development Countries Forum).
She shares some of her treasure trove of wisdom with the readers and says, “I believe in starting from the beginning when necessary and am unafraid to ask for assistance when I encounter something unfamiliar. No one is a walking encyclopedia, and there is no shame in admitting when you don’t know something. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, and it’s important to approach them with humour and reflection. I strive to maintain an open mind and embrace the mindset of a half-empty glass, ready to absorb new knowledge and grow continuously.”
