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Versilia Jn Baptiste is a beacon for the Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort and Spa team, always inspiring her colleagues to reach higher.
Versilia, the resort’s front desk supervisor, began her Sandals journey 21 years ago with the belief that “you can’t get everything right away, you have to start, you have to want it, and you have to persevere until you get it.”
Originally from the town of De Russo in Micoud, in southern St. Lucia, Versilia graduated from Clenden Mason Memorial Secondary School and moved to Castries in her early 20s. With a strong desire to find a job and absorb as much knowledge as possible, “Growing up, I knew that learning should be my biggest goal because it is what drives me to achieve my goals in life. I don’t have a higher education, so I took advantage of every opportunity and experience to learn, hoping to graduate with more knowledge than when I started. Learning is what keeps me going every day.”
Versilia’s first job in Castries was as a nanny while she was studying Information Technology. Eventually, she had the opportunity to enter the hospitality industry as a spa receptionist at the Hyatt before joining Sandals Regency La Toc in 2003. At Sandals, she worked as a cocktail server for four years, but her goal had always been to move into the front office. During this time, Versilia took advantage of the training and development opportunities Sandals offered her, “I knew it would be a challenge because I had just had my daughter, but being me, once I set my mind to something, I wouldn’t give up until I achieved it. So I signed up for cross-training at the resort and stayed after get off work to train as a telephone operator for about two months.”
Her hard work paid off when Versilia was selected as the Deputy Concierge at Club Sandals, a position she held for seven years, but she still had her sights set on the front desk. In 2016, that dream came true when Versilia applied for the Front Desk Supervisor position at Sandals Halcyon and was offered the job with a high recommendation. Reflecting on the experience, Versilia said, “My team is like family, and I am able to understand their strengths and weaknesses and put them in a good position to make the department run efficiently. I always encourage them to be the best they can be.”
After more than two decades in the corporate world, Versilia refused to stand still. On April 5, 2024, she overcame what she calls her greatest challenge yet, earning a diploma in hospitality leadership through Sandals Corporate University (SCU). The six-month diploma program, a partnership between SCU, Florida International University (FIU) and the Accelerating Leaders organization, includes interactive workshops, discussion groups, case studies and industry best practices.
Versilia says she’s not done yet, and recalls the words of Sandals founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart: If you’re going to dream, dream big, “I will continue to encourage those around me to never limit yourself because of where you come from, what others think of you, or even your current situation. Believe in yourself, and remember that overcoming challenges makes the wins that much sweeter. Whatever you do, do it well!”
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