“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make the difference. It is never about the role – always about the goal.”
Introduction
Dr. Amritha Prasad is a strategic leader in food safety, health, sustainability, and ESG governance. She has worked in hospitality, catering, and facility management for more than 16 years around the world. As the Cluster Director of EHSQ at FIVE Hotels and Resorts in Dubai, she has led the way in sustainability and made sure that food safety and operational excellence are always at the highest level.
FIVE Holdings has become a global leader in sustainable luxury under her leadership. It was the first hotel firm in the world to get an “A” ESG grade from ISS, which is a big deal for the sector because it shows that it is in line with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 commitment. She has led daring environmental efforts that have changed the game, such as powering all FIVE properties with 100% renewable electricity from DEWA’s Maktoum Solar Park. This cut Scope 2 emissions in Dubai by over 23,000 metric tons in 2024 alone.
She has overseen the installation of cutting-edge green technology, including the 2,800-square-meter ONYX Solar Facade at SENSORIA and heat-pump systems at FIVE LUXE and FIVE Jumeirah Village. These systems replace traditional gas boilers, which greatly lowers emissions. Her work has also made FIVE a world pioneer in green building standards. It has 1,550+ keys that are LEED Platinum certified, and FIVE LUXE has the most points of any 5-star sustainable hotel, with 89 points.
FIVE Hotels has implemented cutting-edge green technologies, including a 2,800-square-meter ONYX Solar Facade at SENSORIA and advanced heat-pump systems at FIVE LUXE and FIVE Jumeirah Village. These innovations, which replace traditional gas boilers, have significantly reduced carbon emissions and positioned FIVE as a global pioneer in green building standards, with over 1,550 keys certified LEED Platinum. FIVE LUXE, in particular, stands out with 89 LEED points—the highest rating achieved by any 5-star sustainable hotel. The success of these initiatives reflects the collective efforts of the EHSQ, stewarding, and housekeeping departments, with the engineering department playing a major role in driving implementation. Dr. Amritha Prasad played a key role in implementing these technologies, ensuring their successful integration and contributing significantly to FIVE’s vision of sustainability and leadership in green hospitality.
Dr. Prasad’s work has also earned FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Jumeirah Village Dubai Sustainable Tourism Gold Tier stamps, putting them in the top 1% of Net Zero-aligned hotels in Dubai. Dr. Prasad has spearheaded several pioneering initiatives that align closely with the UAE’s circular economy principles—projects focused on minimizing waste, optimizing resource use, and implementing sustainable operational practices. Amritha was an integral part of these efforts, contributing her expertise to develop and execute strategies that promote a closed-loop system within FIVE resorts. Together, they worked on innovative programs such as waste segregation and recycling initiatives, water reclamation projects, and energy-efficient technologies. These projects not only helped reduce the environmental footprint of the resorts but also set new standards for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector. Amritha’s role was vital in ensuring that these initiatives were both practical and scalable, helping FIVE resorts maintain their position as leaders in sustainable tourism in Dubai. FIVE resorts are part of Cornell University’s Global Initiative, which shows that their carbon footprints are 5–6 times smaller and their water use is 3 times smaller than the average 5-star resort in Dubai. Dr. Prasad has led a number of new projects that fit with the UAE’s circular economy concept, such as leading the way in using old coffee grounds as fertilizer for landscaping.
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”.
Phase 1: Breaking the Mould as a Child: he Early Journey Toward Self-Discovery
Childhood for Dr. Amritha Prasad was, in many ways, like that of any other child. She laughed, played, and dreamed with the same innocence and wonder that fill the earliest chapters of life. Yet, woven into her story from the very beginning was a thread of expectation: subtle at first, then increasingly demanding as she grew older.
She was born into a respected and well-educated Orthodox Christian family, where the pursuit of academic excellence was not merely encouraged but assumed. Her family tree branched wide with professors, teachers, and scholars. Both sides of her lineage bore the mark of intellectual achievement. Even her grandparents, aunts, and uncles were educators, and her cousins excelled in academia. For the young Dr. Amritha, this environment created both inspiration and pressure.
Her grandparents laid the foundation for education, while her teachers and college professors instilled in her the values of discipline, focus, and relentless striving for success. “You must achieve. You must shine” was the unspoken mantra that guided conversations at home. Every family gathering seemed to echo the same comparisons—who was excelling, who had scored the highest marks, and who was destined for a doctorate or a prestigious post.
Yet, even as a little girl, Dr. Amritha’s heart danced to a completely different rhythm. She excelled in extracurricular activities, but in academics, she struggled relentlessly.
Where academics demanded her focus, her heart wandered elsewhere. She was brimming with energy, creativity, and enthusiasm—but not in ways that textbooks could measure. She loved the stage, the sports field, the camaraderie of group activities, the rush of performing, and the thrill of competing.
“We become what we think about.”
Phase 2: From Rejection to Reinvention: Charting New Career Pathways
In 2007, Dr. Amritha Prasad’s professional journey began in the UAE—a place where opportunities seemed limitless, yet, at first, none of them aligned with her dreams. Fresh out of her academic path in biotechnology, she carried within her the ambition of becoming a scientist. She envisioned laboratories, research projects, and eventually earning the title “Doctor” in front of her name. That was the dream she had carried since her days of struggling in classrooms and finding her strength in the world of extracurriculars.
Her very first interview aligned perfectly with her degree, her passion, and her long-held ambitions. However, when she entered the room, perceptions shifted immediately. Petite, weighing just 46 kilograms, and with a youthful appearance that made her seem younger than her 23 years, she was quietly underestimated. Despite her qualifications and enthusiasm, the panel questioned whether she “fit” the role. She wasn’t turned away for lack of knowledge or potential, but rather due to assumptions based solely on her appearance.
For a girl who had already spent much of her life fighting perceptions of being “lazy” or “average,” this rejection cut deeply. She returned home to her father, devastated. “I want to go back to India,” she told him. Biotechnology was growing rapidly there, with pharmaceutical companies and research labs multiplying. India seemed to hold the future she had always dreamed of.
But her father was firm. “No way. This journey is your life, and you must build it here with us.”
It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was the answer that kept her rooted in the UAE—a decision that would, in hindsight, change everything.
Soon after, Dr. Amritha attended an open interview in a pharmacy. It was not her dream job. In fact, the job was far from her dream position. Pharmacy, unlike biotechnology, held no real connection to her training or ambition. Still, she accepted the role.
“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”
Phase 3: Breaking Barriers in Hospitality Sector: A Field That Gave Her Recognition!
In one of the busiest catering production units in the UAE, it was just another crazy day. There was a lot of steam in the air, and pots, pans, and ladles clanged together like cymbals in a loud orchestra. Dr. Amritha’s phone rang in the middle of all this noise. She didn’t pay attention to it at first—the noise in the kitchen was too loud. But the phone kept ringing. Finally, she answered the call and yelled into the receiver, trying to find a balance between the noise of the stoves and the chatter of the workers. “Hello?” A calm but firm voice answered with a simple question: “Are you seeking employment?”
Dr. Amritha laughed because she couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t sent in any application. She had never sent out a CV in her whole life. She had only received jobs through recommendations from people who had seen how hard she worked and how determined she was. “No!” she yelled back, but it was difficult to hear due to the noise in the kitchen. But the voice stayed. They kept asking her if she really wasn’t looking for a job. This time, Dr. Amritha made an excuse and went outside the busy production area so she could hear better.
The general manager of Sofitel The Palm, Jumeirah—one of Dubai’s most expensive hotels—was on the line. The hotel was still in the early stages of getting ready. He said he got her reference from Atlantis, where she had worked before with ISO certifications. Sofitel was looking for a manager of food safety. Would she be willing to do the job? Dr. Amritha was speechless for a moment. She was being asked to step onto the grand stage of the hospitality industry not because she reached out, but because of her reputation. She smiled and said, “Of course.” Her interview at Sofitel was not like any other interview. There were no strict panels or scary cross-examinations. It felt more like a conversation than anything else. The general manager already knew about her work ethic and the results she got. He wanted to know if she could handle a property as big as a beachfront hotel with 2 to 3 acres of land, several restaurants, kitchens, and guest rooms. The size was scary for Dr. Amritha. But she had already shown that she could handle tough situations.
Note of Thanks
Dr. Amritha Prasad wishes to extend her deepest gratitude to all who have touched her life and shaped her journey. Despite carving much of her path through self-belief and perseverance, Dr. Amritha Prasad recognizes that no success story comes alone. Behind every milestone, there have been blessings, silent prayers, words of encouragement, and moments of kindness that kept her moving forward.
She remains forever indebted to her parents, whose blessings gave her the courage to stand strong when circumstances were unkind. Their faith in her ability became the invisible shield that guided her through uncertainty. She also expresses heartfelt thanks to her in-laws, whose presence and support brought stability and strength in times of need.
Her husband and children have been her unwavering anchors. They have stood by her side through every challenge, reminding her that true success is not measured only by professional titles, wealth, or recognition, but by the love and togetherness of family.
Dr. Prasad also wishes to acknowledge the role of her mentors, colleagues, and professional well-wishers who recognized her caliber and opened doors to opportunities she never sought but gracefully embraced. Each of them played a part in shaping her leadership journey, and she holds their trust in high regard.
She extends her appreciation to her friends, who have drawn strength from her positivity and, in return, gifted her with their faith and companionship. To everyone who has shared in her laughter, confided in her during their trials, or sought her encouragement, she remains deeply thankful.
Above all, she lifts her gratitude to God, whom she places at the center of every step she takes. She acknowledges His presence as the guiding light that carried her through moments of despair and multiplied her joy in times of triumph.
Finally, she thanks her readers. To each person who turns these pages in search of hope, courage, or inspiration, Dr. Amritha Prasad dedicates her story. If her journey can remind even one soul that resilience conquers fear, that faith outshines doubt, and that dreams are possible when pursued with determination, then this biography has served its true purpose.
Thank You
Dr. Amritha Prasad