Company vision

CEO’s Editorial

I am Juan Loyola, CEO of The Amani Resorts. My journey began In Switzerland studying Hotel Management followed by years of luxury hotel service experience.  Years later, during business travel to Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Burkina-Faso, I learned that the continent of Africa is an undiscovered universe.  It is often misunderstood, yet strikingly familiar. it is a continent of markets emerging from dependence on natural resources to a portfolio of economies engaged in high-end manufacturing, global services, and sharing their art and culture with the world while setting new standards and best practices in sustainability throughout the African continent.

The origin of The Amani Resorts is the inspiration of our founder, Mr. Chase Barfield, who had for years organized expeditions to Africa with our Amani Global Ambassador, Kukuwa Kyereboah whose passion is wellness and fitness drawn from the traditions of Africa. at The Amani Resorts, we are proud to be part of a movement to bring Africa closer to the rest of the planet, bringing the richness of Africa to the world in a way that is both enlightening and familiar.

I proudly invite you to embark on this journey of expansion, from the Bahamas to the far reaches of the globe. We do so with a profound sense of responsibility and excitement.

We are not just expanding our footprint. We are extending an invitation to the world to discover the undiscovered, to experience the profound and often misunderstood beauty of Africa. This borderless vision is the driving force behind The Amani Resorts. in a dynamic world, our role is not just to keep pace with change but to lead it. We are committed to bridging cultural divides, weaving an intricate tapestry of global traditions and practices to enrich the lives of our guests.

At The Amani Resorts, we’re driven by a vision that transcends boundaries, a mission to bring the soul of Africa to the world. as long as visiting the African continent is challenging, distant, and unfamiliar, why not bring Africa to nearby destinations around the world? our resorts are not just destinations; they are vibrant cultural hubs where Africa meets the world.

Our vision is on an exciting trajectory of growth, with an ambitious blueprint for global expansion. The Amani Resorts is poised to extend its embrace to a host of new exotic locations.

Our journey will weave through the vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes of the Caribbean, then into the lush, tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and South America. Additionally, we are setting our sights on the serene and unspoiled beauty of remote ocean islands, including the idyllic South Pacific Achipelago.

By 2031, we aim to unveil at least 17 new Amani Resorts worldwide. As we embark on this path of growth, we invite you to experience our journey of discovery and luxury as we bring the Amani’s signature serenity and sophistication to the world’s most coveted destinations.

Sustainable Hospitality

using sound business practices that help our people & our planet

At the Amani Resorts, we recognize the pressing challenges of energy and food security facing our world today. in a world where only a select few countries can produce enough electricity and food for their population, we see an opportunity to lead by example in sustainability and self-reliance.

Our commitment to this cause is evident in our adoption of groundbreaking technologies. We harness renewable energy sources, reducing our environmental footprint and ensuring a stable, eco-friendly power supply. Moreover, our planned investment in AI-powered vertical farming marks a significant step towards food self-sufficiency. This innovative approach not only ensures a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce for our resort but also benefits the broader community, including our dedicated staff and their families.

Choosing the Amani Resorts means more than just a serene getaway. It’s a decision to support a sustainable future, to be part of a solution that values and protects our planet while nurturing its people. We invite you to experience the harmony of luxury and responsibility at Amani Resorts, where every visit makes a positive impact.

At the Amani Resorts, we are dedicated to crafting an authentic African experience, achieved through collaborative efforts with key players in the tourism industry and esteemed leaders across the African continent. Our mission is to infuse each aspect of our resort with a genuine sense of African heritage, guided by expert design input that reflects the continent’s rich visual and architectural traditions.

As our guests wander through the resort, they will be captivated by stunning exhibits that are not just visually appealing, but also educational. These displays are carefully curated to provide true insights into the diverse cultures and histories of various African nations. This immersive journey through art and storytelling allows our guests to connect deeply with the spirit of Africa, enhancing their stay with meaningful cultural understanding and appreciation.

Thought Leadership

Category

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...

Younes Chraibi

Category

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...

Younes Chraibi

Category

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...

Younes Chraibi

Category

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...

Younes Chraibi

Category

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit...

Younes Chraibi

Updates, News & Specials, direct to your inbox.

Scroll to Top

ROSS J. WOLFE, JD/MBA

 

Ross J. Wolfe served for over 20 years as Counsel to venture capital and private equity firms and has navigated new venture clients from startup to scalability. A seasoned professional in leading change across all aspects of an organization, he brings expertise in investor relations, company constitutions, equity class creation, onshore / offshore fund administration, company governance, company structure, and international mergers & acquisitions. Wolfe will oversee and optimize the formulation of the international corporate structure to support capital flows through portfolio development in the coming years. A best-selling author, Wolfe holds a Law degree from Barry University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a BA in Political Science from George Mason University. Ross was recently appointed Chief of Corporate Ventures for The Amani group.

M. Gabriela Palacios, Esq.

 

Gabriela Palacios is a seasoned Attorney who practices corporate and contract law and has served as General Counsel to companies throughout South Florida. With extensive knowledge on Hotel Law, as GC for Amani Resorts, Palacios focuses on establishing the compliance protocols and corporate policies to support accelerated scaling of our resort footprint. Most recently, Gabriela was appointed General Counsel for the Amani Group.

Ali Shan Aslam

 

Ali Shan is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with a decade of experience. As a  former KPMG Auditor, Aslam then served as VP & Head of Business Analytics &  Strategy at a prominent commercial bank. As a Fractional CFO, he guided a variety of C-suites through critical financial decisions. For Amani Resorts, he formulates and oversees a comprehensive financial operation designed to support cash flows across multiple international jurisdictions in the coming years.  Most recently, he was appointed CFO of the Amani group.

Felix J. Torres

 

Felix Torres is a leader with international experience in logistics, security, technology, architecture, engineering design and construction and project management.  His career begins with his undergraduate studies at Northeastern University.  After studying Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Project Management, he took first a position as Project Manager/Reliability Engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island, and then, rising to their Program Executive Office on the strength of his outstanding performance, as Production Manager/Project Manager.  Holding secret security clearance at the Center, he led a team focused on the design, construction and delivery of Navy weapon systems (torpedoes).

In 1997, Mr. Torres obtained an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business with a concentration in Finance, and then led Business Development for Cellular One or Puerto Rico designing and implementing telecommunications solutions for clients, while leading a special team to implement the Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Program to build the landline business for the market leader in Puerto Rico.

In 1999, Torres began a 10-year body of work for Univision. As Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Facility Manager, he led the strategic planning, design, construction, and operations of television and radio studios for a Univision PPP.

In 2011, EVO Consortium was formed.  As founder and CEO, he dedicated his new company to strategic planning, construction management, and construction for venues and highly sophisticated technology infrastructure engagements that impact national security and operational efficiency.  He managed new public and private sector building projects and created alliances with governments and major technology companies.  EVO Consortium is the development arm of Rapiscan/AS&E and S2 Global, who are leaders in the industry of Vehicle and Merchandise Scanning Security Services.

Over the last decade, Torres’ clients and projects span the globe.  For the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, he was the Project Manager for four different government administrations wherein he developed a major convention center that included hotels, office buildings, commercial venues, residences, parks, and many other amenities, with an investment over $450 million.   For the World Trade Center, he led the implementation of the underground inspection sites, designed multiple venues for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Project, assisted the Government of Iraq with city-crossing security inspection, and designed and construction managed 40 inspection sites in Mexico’s main maritime ports and land border crossings while handling highly classified information.  He also designed and managed the construction of inspection sites in Albania’s main maritime port and land border crossing under European construction codes.

With deep experience with major construction in Asia, Europe, Middle East, and The Americas, he has taken on the role of EVP of Real Estate Project Development worldwide.  He is based in Florida with his wife and two children.

JUAN J. LOYOLA

 

Juan Loyola brings extensive international project development and finance experience in hospitality/mixed-use development as well as energy.  He completed his undergraduate studies at Hotel Institute Montreux in 1992, and at the age of 20, was hired by Hilton International into a departmental management role.  His management background includes hotels such as Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and independent resorts.

In the early nineties before online degrees were common, he completed graduate studies through distance learning in Economics at SOAS University of London, an experience that gave rise to an intellectual fascination with Applied Economics which persists to this day.  Loyola briefly worked as a general securities representative (series 7) before moving to Austin, Texas to complete his MBA at McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin.  Following his studies, his focus shifted from management to development after 2 years with Enron’s international development arm based in the Caribbean.

Over the next 9 years, based at different times in Puerto Rico, Florida, California, and Texas, he would apply his development expertise to the hotel industry as well, become an executive for a hospitality company, and directing energy programs for global industrial clients for a Washington, D.C.-based energy consulting firm.

He speaks four languages, is a competitive tennis player, a published singer-songwriter, and today lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and their four children.

Fluent in both French and English, and able to converse in Lingala and Spanish, Henri Ndele combines this broad international development and finance experience with a deep understanding of client requirements and the need for a holistic approach to creating value in multiple verticals. In this, Ndele is a proven leader and communicator. Most recently, Henri was appointed EVP Capital Formation of the Amani Resorts, Inc.

Henri Ndele

 

Mr. Ndele has an international background across Europe, the United States and Africa. His extensive and active network is based on over twenty years of financial and legal advisory, with experience in financial markets, startup business development, media promotion and real estate development.Ndele studied Political Sciences at the University of Geneva and Law in Louvain University, before completing his MBA at Cape Town University’s Graduate School of Business.

In 1994, Ndele joined True Africa Media Group as their Sales & Marketing executive in Paris where he spearheaded their marketing and communications strategy and brought on board major luxury brands. Returning to Switzerland and shifting to international finance, he joined Gottex Portfolio Management in Lausanne as Senior Financial Analyst focused on hedge fund equity and the derivatives portfolio management.

Ndele then returned to True Africa Media Group and crossed the Atlantic in 2002 to become Head of Business Development out of New York City.  Here, he negotiated Goldman Sach’s investment into his True Africa Media, oversaw the transition from Groupe Lagardere MCM Afrique to Trace TV, and opened Trace TV’s distribution network to the African market.

Since 2004, Ndele became Managing Partner of Pallas Consulting, located across the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Here he has overseen finance deals, provided strategic consulting in debt/equity fund raising, provided legal and financial advisory.

Fluent in both French and English, and able to converse in Lingala and Spanish, Henri Ndele combines this broad international development and finance experience with a deep understanding of client requirements and the need for a holistic approach to creating value in multiple verticals. In this, Ndele is a proven leader and communicator. Most recently, Henri was appointed EVP Capital Formation of the Amani Resorts, Inc.