Maria Mendis

I’m a Learning & Development leader passionate about building strong leaders, high-performing teams, and learning cultures that drive real business results. At Westgate Resorts, I lead enterprise-wide corporate operations training initiatives designed to improve operational excellence, elevate leadership capability, and create an engaging, empowering team member experience. I focus on scalable learning solutions, data-driven insights, and cross-functional partnerships that help organizations grow while supporting their people.

Before joining Westgate, I led regional learning strategy for Louis Vuitton Americas, where I helped retail teams deliver exceptional client experiences while strengthening leadership pipelines. Earlier in my career, I spent more than 12 years with Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand, designing aviation training programs that enhanced safety, service excellence, and operational performance across diverse teams. I also began my professional journey in media with Seven Network, where I learned the importance of communication, strategy, and storytelling.

Across every role, my goal is the same: to help people feel confident, capable, and inspired to do their best work. I believe strong leadership, thoughtful learning design, and a people-first mindset create lasting impact—for organizations, teams, and individuals alike.