What I Love Most About Working at Marriott Vacations Worldwide: Q&A With Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club's New General Manager

At Marriott Vacations Worldwide , our associates are the cornerstone of our company, and we take having fun seriously. We believe in living life to the fullest, and that includes a fulfilling career. 

Today, we are delighted to introduce Candace Warner Shoy as the new General Manager of Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club. Not only is she an award-winning associate who puts owners and guests at the center of all she does, she’s also the first native Kittitian to become GM of a resort under a globally recognized flag.  

We sat down with Candace to learn more about her career journey. Her advice for a successful career? Find companies that recognize and appreciate your contributions.    

Q: You’ve had quite a career at Marriott Vacations Worldwide. What are some of your proudest moments? 

A: I would start in sales and marketing. It was the first time I ever saw a company recognize its associates on such a high level. Everything was worthy of recognition, and that culture is what held me true to staying in hospitality. When I was recognized as Supervisor of the Quarter, it was the first recognition I had ever received at a company. I was also a Diamond Way To Go! recipient this year for receiving more than 200 positive owner comments, and I remain committed to making a memorable impression on every guest I interact with. I want to ensure that each guest has a memorable experience at Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club so they will want to return. Many times, they do return. Mission accomplished! 

Q: You’re the first native Kittitian to become the GM of a resort under a globally recognized flag. How can young people follow in your footsteps? 

A: This has certainly placed Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a position to be recognized on the island as a company where people want to work. I want to share my growth story with people who might be interested in hospitality or those who might not even know that they have an interest in hospitality. I would like young people to know that the possibilities are out there, especially because tourism is our main industry and we’re working to make it more sustainable. 

 Q: You’re known for being dedicated to growing your associates. What advice would you give to someone looking to start and grow a career in hospitality? 

 A: You have to love what you do. You have to be passionate about taking care of others. The company makes it very easy for us to be successful by sharing its mission and core values. That makes success seamless because we understand our purpose, and the mission and vision guide us into breathing life into our core values. 

 Q: Did you always want to stay on the island? 

 A: Yes, this is home. I had never really thought about venturing out until I started working for Marriott Vacations Worldwide, and I decided that for a career opportunity, I would be willing to go anywhere.  But I’m glad to have this opportunity to remain in my home country! 

 Q: What’s the best thing about working at Marriott Vacations Worldwide? 

 A: One of the things that I love most about the company is the celebration of small wins. Everything gets recognized, and I love the culture of recognition. I also enjoy the diversity of the company and how we are able to be our authentic selves, guided by our core values, vision, and mission. The company allows us to be innovative and expressive, and every suggestion or action that can drive results is thoughtfully considered. I love that about the company. 

 Q: Do you have a mentor or someone who has helped you grow on your career journey? 

 A: Certainly, I've been blessed to work under the leadership of three general managers, all of whom had unique styles. I was able to take learnings from each of them and combine that with what I envision for myself as a leader. I don't think I would be where I am today if we hadn’t crossed paths. 

 To learn about the world of career opportunities at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, click here.