A Seat at Her Table – Evlyn Mondu on Legacy, Luxury, and Leading in Hospitality
- Brainz Magazine
- 24 hours ago
- 6 min read
Written by Liz Galloway, PR Specialist
Liz Galloway is the founder of Brand Sanity Media and The Well Mind Project, where she blends storytelling and marketing to create impactful campaigns. Liz is also a travel journalist, podcaster, TV host, and extreme adventure enthusiast.
In a world where speed often trumps soul and curated content takes precedence over authentic connection, there are women in hospitality creating the quiet luxury spaces we are craving. An avid world traveler and multifaceted entrepreneur, Evlyn Mondu is one of them.
Founder of Villa Casablanca Sandy Lane in Barbados, Evlyn’s journey is about creating private sensory experiences. An invitation to her private estate on a small Caribbean island is a refined elegance combined with the natural surroundings.
Evlyn is the rare kind of hospitality leader whose story reads like a masterclass in reinvention. But it’s her unwavering belief in balance, beauty, and belonging that has carved her name as the founder of one of the most sought-after private getaways in the Caribbean. Think of it as your private Caribbean sanctuary, with all the refined service of a world-class resort, but none of the crowds.
From paradise to purpose
Casablanca, perched elegantly in the exclusive Sandy Lane Estate, was not always a brand. It was, first and foremost, a dream, one sparked by the lushness of a tropical escape and shaped by Evlyn’s first walk through the villa gates. "The grandeur of the architecture combined with the garden's serenity gave me a profound sense of peace," she recalls. “From that moment, my brain started to work on the model.”
But behind the vision of neo-classical splendor and luxury amenities lies something deeper: the wisdom of lived experience. Evlyn, the last of 53 grandchildren in a family that loves travel, knows how to make space, not just physically, but philosophically. “I’ve learned the strength of family but also the ability to carve your own place,” she says. Her career–spanning catering, information management, hospitality, and lifestyle curation has informed a multidimensional approach to entrepreneurship, one that’s more mosaic than linear.
When asked what her vision was behind Villa Casablanca as a woman in hospitality, she shared, “My passions for food, photography, and travel have shaped not only my worldview but the essence of Casablanca. It’s this blend of experiences, creativity, and intuition that has infused the villa with a distinctly feminine sensibility, one that celebrates detail, beauty, and emotional connection.
I believe a woman’s evolution is deeply tied to the presence of inspiration and support. I’ve been fortunate to have both throughout my life, and they’ve empowered me to create something truly meaningful."
Slow luxury in a fast world
The modern hospitality industry often chases “the next big thing.” Evlyn chose a different path, one rooted in sustainability and slow luxury. “One of the beauties of Barbados is the pace itself,” she explains. “In a world where everything is going at the speed of light, it’s good to know there are places offering the luxury of time, something more and more of our clients are seeking.”
This belief is not marketing fluff, it’s a lived ethos. At Villa Casablanca, everything from the concierge’s attention to detail to the locally inspired design is steeped in intentionality. Evlyn’s team is predominantly female by design, not coincidence, and their presence echoes the values Evlyn holds close: collaboration and rising together.
“There’s nothing performative about it,” she says. “They face real challenges in their families and careers, but they also share a passion: excellence.”
The woman behind the destination
What makes Evlyn’s story resonate isn’t just the villa’s elegance or her academic pedigree; it’s her humanity. “Criticism, even when necessary, is hard,” she admits. “But those moments of doubt push you to call your troupe. To go back to your why.”
Her “why” isn’t metrics, it’s moments. A guest who feels truly seen. A sunset that lingers just long enough. A quiet architectural detail that whispers heritage. These are Evlyn’s currencies of success. “My role is to ensure that we listen to each other's vision and opinions,” she shares about her team and the creation of the villa itself. She believes in the importance of respecting a house's unique character and soul, just like the island, just like the architecture and history of the space.
She also speaks with disarming clarity about leadership. “Leadership can be summarized in three words: make things happen,” she says. “Then support your team while they do it.”
Her upbringing also instilled a belief in speaking up and stepping forward. “My parents encouraged me to show the world what I could do. It was never about being a girl. It was about being capable.” This is a leading woman in the hospitality industry who is creating not only success for her brand but helping others rise. She sees the big picture. Here’s what she had to say about finding her own voice in a typically male-dominated industry: “I have worn many hats in my professional life, which has given me numerous challenges. Those experiences have given me the confidence I need to speak up and be the person I want to be,” she shares. “Go and show them” was one of her parents’ mottos for her. And it stuck.
Designing emotion
At Casablanca, the stay is just the start. Guests don’t simply check in they feel in. Every inch of the villa, from its coral stone walls to the quiet elegance of its interiors, is designed to tell a story. “A house becomes a home when it steals a part of your heart,” Evelyne says. “It’s like any relationship; you seek connection, sometimes deeper conversations. That’s where its soul lives.”
Hospitality, in her hands, becomes less of an industry and more of a narrative. And for women looking to find their voice in it? She offers this: “Even if you don’t see yourself reflected in the hospitality space yet stay. Learn. Build. Disrupt. Life might surprise you.”
Reclaiming time, redefining luxury
Perhaps Evelyne’s greatest success isn’t the villa itself, but the philosophy it embodies that true luxury is unhurried. Creating a legacy as a woman in hospitality doesn’t require you to become someone else; it invites you to become more of who you are. And some of the most discerning minds and travelers are seeking the quietest spaces in travel these days the spaces offered by Villa Casablanca.
As the Caribbean breeze blows through the villa’s grand terraces and the mosaic tiles catch the golden sun, Evlyn Mondu continues to redefine what it means to lead not with bravado, but with balance. And in doing so, she’s given other women the courage to do the same while running a successful business.
Becoming a modern woman in hospitality
The modern woman in global hospitality leads with intention, builds with resilience, and creates spaces where others feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. Whether she’s managing a private villa, launching a boutique brand, or redefining service standards, she’s doing it with heart, intelligence, and an unshakable sense of purpose.
What does it mean to be a woman with a leading brand? Evlyn says it best: “If I think of my grandmothers, mother, and many other women in my life, all of whom had to master numerous tasks throughout their lives. Caring for family, friends, careers, and creating paths in life. It’s not that far from what hospitality is doing today. The challenges are different; we look at images, presence on social media, clicks, and likes. But at the end of the day, a good meal under a nice roof offered by friendly people is at the base of a good experience. In the end, has it changed that much?”
This view on blending the old with the new is what makes her a leader. Trends may change, platforms may evolve, but the essence of care remains.
Liz Galloway, PR Specialist
Liz Galloway is a dynamic Creative Director, PR Specialist, and media professional with over 20 years of experience in brand strategy, luxury travel, wellness, and adventure. As the founder of Brand Sanity Media and The Well Mind Project, she blends storytelling, marketing, and sustainability to create impactful campaigns for high-profile clients, and is a travel journalist, podcast producer, and adventure enthusiast.
