Kathy Sorenson

Director of Human Resources at Premier Inn MENA

Speaker

Kathy Sorenson is a transformational leader in People and Culture, known for redefining leadership, workplace culture, and talent strategy. With nearly 30 years of experience across New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE, she has helped organisations move beyond traditional HR approaches to build high-performing, engaged, and future-ready workplaces.

As Director of People and Culture at Premier Inn Middle East, Kathy leads the people strategy across the region, shaping the culture, leadership development, and workforce experience for 11 hotels across multiple markets. Her work has driven record-breaking engagement, stronger leadership pipelines, and award-winning initiatives, including the Gold Award for Best Employee-Driven Business Change at the Employee Happiness Awards.

Kathy believes that people are the driving force behind every successful organisation. She is passionate about empowering leaders to lead, not just manage, ensuring that culture is a competitive advantage, not an afterthought, and leveraging technology to support—not replace—human connection.

As a sought-after speaker and industry thought leader, Kathy is known for her practical insights, real-world strategies, and engaging, no-nonsense approach. She delivers thought-provoking sessions that challenge conventional HR thinking and inspire organisations to reimagine leadership, engagement, and the future of work.

Her message is clear: When organisations truly put people at the heart of their strategy, business success follows