Meet Monica Metzger

Like many stories in hospitality, Monica’s started by chance. Fresh out of high school, on a holiday in Spain, she took a job bartending. When university didn’t pan out and her family relocated to Spain, she put her love of people and languages to work. That first hostess job turned into a promotion in under a year. And with that, a new path was set.

From Spain to Dubai, Monica rose steadily through the ranks: from Restaurant Manager, to Complex Director of F&B, to pre-openings, food halls, and luxury brands across the city. And through it all, one thing has remained constant: her belief in the power of people.

Now, with Accor and Ennismore, Monica is shaping something new. As the opening General Manager for the first-ever Mama Shelter in the region, she brings every lesson, every experience, and every ounce of passion to the role.

You’ll find Monica wherever the action is ౼ in the lobby, the trattoria, or under the vibrant glow of Mama’s signature neon ceiling. She’s drawn to the energy of the space, the flow of people, and the way her team interacts with guests.

Her day starts with what she calls her “gang” ౼ checking in, offering help, solving problems on the fly. “At the end of the day, I’m here to lead but also to support,” she says. Monica believes in giving her team the space to make decisions ౼ even mistakes ౼ because that’s where real ownership and learning begins.

“For me, the team is everything. I’m only one person. If they wouldn’t be there, I wouldn’t be here.” It’s an approach that works. Her team values her approachability, her fast decision-making, and her listening ear.

After decades in hospitality, Monica has collected many memories, but one stands out. Meeting her, Chief Operating Officer, Tolga Lacin, changed her life. “He’s been my mentor. He’s been my support. He helped me grow and took me to the place where I am today,” she says. Sixteen years later, they’re still working together, a testament to the kind of long-term relationships Monica builds and values.

For Monica, joining Mama Shelter was more than a professional move. It was personal. “For me, Mama Shelter is a dream. It’s a huge, big family,” she says. It’s a reflection of everything she believes hospitality can be.