Who We Are

Meet
the Team

Our success comes from the strength of our interdisciplinary team. GOCO is a group of exceptionally talented individuals with broad international experience in business development, spa operations, branding and marketing, and hospitality management. This team collaborates in an integrated environment daily to work toward a single goal: lasting success for our clients.

  • Adiba Osmani

    Adiba Osmani
    Director of Business Development

    As Director of Business Development, Adiba is responsible for establishing the strategic growth of GOCO and the presence of GOCO’s brands, partnerships and spa operations globally. Adiba holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University.

    Prior to joining GOCO, Adiba held various roles in strategy consulting firms such as McKinsey & Company and within the telecommunications industry. She led the global strategic marketing planning function for Orange France Telecom working with marketing innovators such as Ideo.

    While in Orange she also held the roles of Head of Consumer Insights and Head of Marketing Propositions within the European marketing team. After her years at Orange, Adiba helped launch a global start-up venture in Asia, Augere, developing and launching the marketing plan in Bangladesh and Pakistan. More recently Adiba has worked on business strategy for a multiple award-winning holistic health resort in Asia. Her work with Kamalaya Destination Spa, Augere, Orange-FT Group and McKinsey & Company for 7 years has provided her essential work experience in Europe, Asia and The Middle East.
  • Bonnie Baker

    Bonnie Baker
    Regional Director of Spa Operations (The Americas)

    Bonnie is a seasoned spa professional with over 15 years of experience in the spa and wellness field. Prior to joining the GOCO team, Bonnie’s most recent role was Corporate Spa Trainer with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, in which she oversaw all phases of opening and training in the USA, Latin America, as well as Europe. Her previous work has taken her through every aspect of spa development and operations for luxury properties such as Four Seasons and Marriott, including roles as Spa Director, Treatment Manager and Wellness Consultant.

    Bonnie has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, and is a trained massage therapist, esthetician, and yoga instructor. She loves the outdoors and enjoys a reputation as an absolute whiz in the kitchen. She is based out of Mexico City, Mexico.
  • Emlyn Brown

    Emlyn Brown
    Associate Director of Spa Operations

    Emlyn is responsible for the coordination of all matters in GOCO’s portfolio of managed spas, focusing on maximizing the effectiveness of all spa operational and financial development matters.

    Emlyn is a spa and fitness specialist with over 13 years senior management experience in luxury spa and health clubs spanning South East Asia, Europe and the Middle East. His previous work experiences include spa & healthclub operations for Six Senses Resorts, Burj al Arab, Holmes Place Lifestyle Clubs, and assisting luxury property developers in realizing exceptional leisure facilities on the French coast.

    Emlyn’s interests extend across a wide range from skiing, cycling, triathlons, and golf to include history, films, books, and music.
  • Fon Matchaset

    Fon Matchaset
    Research Analyst

    As research analyst at GOCO, Fon conducts and compiles research analysis for the extensive feasibility services GOCO is known for.

    A graduate of Thammasat University's BBA International Program, Fon holds a degree in Finance. During her studies, she held positions at Globlex Securities as an intern on the brokerage team and was the head of corporate relations for the Thammasat University Business Competition (TUBC) –a student-run case competition that attracted students from leading business schools around the world.

    Fluent in English and Thai, Fon enjoys traveling and capturing her adventures both in pictures and on her blog. Her travels also give her the chance to pursue her other passions—studying the architecture of various locations and discovering local culinary delights.
  • Gisela Willmes

    Gisela Willmes
    Director of Learning & Training, GOCO
    General Manager, SHA Wellness Clinic

    Gisela leads the development of training and human resources strategies for GOCO’s roster of clients. She also oversees the operations of GOCO-managed, award-winning SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain.

    Prior to joining GOCO, Gisela spent 11 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, serving as the Area Director of Human Resources, Germany. During her time with Ritz-Carlton, Gisela was also part of the pre-opening teams of six of the group’s hotels in locations such as Turkey, Qatar, Bahrain, and Moscow. Throughout her career, she has worked for multinational hotel chains namely Hilton Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

    Gisela has a deep fascination with people and the human mind, which has led her not only in her chosen career path but also in her choice to coach and mentor others in their professions. She is a keen golfer as well as a skier, and a big fan of the therapeutic benefits of saunas.
  • Grace Lee

    Grace Lee
    Brand Experience Director

    Being the "Jane Smith" of the Asian world is perhaps why Grace is obsessive about the unique and authentic experience. She leads the brand development for GOCO’s prestigious roster of clients and ensures that brand strategy stays consistent and compelling throughout the line.

    Having earned her creative chops over a decade in the Big Apple at agencies such as Ogilvy, FCB and Deutch has prepared her for life in the Big Mango. Her blue chip brand experience ranges from American Express, British American Tobacco, FedEx, Heineken, Motorola, Pfizer and Unilever, among others.

    Although she majored in English and piano performance, she considers herself a talented creative generalist and indulges in graphic design and gastronomic experiments.
  • Ingo Schweder

    Ingo Schweder
    Chief Executive Officer

    As CEO and founder of GOCO, Ingo brings more than 20 years of experience from the fields of spa and hospitality. Working with and managing some of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups Ingo has been involved with the design, development, and worldwide operation of iconic properties and spas. Under his guidance, Ananda in the Himalayas, the globally-recognized destination spa, was established. During his tenure at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, he established from the ground up 15 resort spas on four continents – whose strong holistic roots are credited to him. He earlier was Group Director of Hotel Operations for Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Managing Director of Rafael Group Hoteliers, Southeast Asia.

    Ingo has been recognized with countless industry awards including Spa Personality of the Year, Excellence in Hospitality Design, Most Distinguished Industry Motivator, and Best Spa Company. Always engaging and willing to share his expertise, he is a frequent speaker at Cornell University, ISPA events, Hospitality Finance Conferences globally, and other hospitality related symposia around the world. He sits on the Board of the Spa India Association and the China Spa Symposium.

    Ingo has a true passion for photography and travelling off the beaten path, where he enjoys combining the discovery of new countries and their people with the practice of yoga, making time to practice with well-renowned yoga masters around the globe.
  • Matthew Brennan

    Matthew Brennan
    Associate Director of Finance

    As Associate Director of Finance for GOCO, Matt oversees all accounting and financial planning functions of the business. In addition, Matt is responsible for the completion of all spa and hotel market research and feasibility reports.

    Prior to joining GOCO, Matt worked within the Financial Planning and Analysis Department of Archstone, LLC, a leader in luxury apartment operations throughout the United States and Germany. Matt is also a co-author of the chapter titled Spa Feasibility — Steps and Processes, which was included in the first-ever spa management textbook Understanding The Global Spa Industry: Spa Management, published by Oxford University Press.

    Matt enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf or mountain biking. He also enjoys ice-hockey and following NCAA college football.
  • May Tangkaewfa

    May Tangkaewfa
    Associate Director of Technical Services

    May is responsible for the delivery of GOCO’s technical assistance to all projects including design briefs, design reviews, and the myriad details needed for in-depth design and concept documentations.

    May joins GOCO having gained considerable experience in leading the design, feasibility, and project coordination of commercial residential property and leisure developments in the Asia-Pacific region for CB Richard Ellis, Nexus Property Consultants, and Architecture 49.

    May holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and earned her Masters of Project Management from University College London. Her knowledge and expertise is not limited to only the field of architecture but extends also into the epicurean realm and those of art and culture.
  • Mew Supat R

    Mew Supat R.
    Art & Graphics Manager

    As Art and Graphics Manager for GOCO, Mew is responsible for overseeing all aspects of graphic design and guiding all creative content for the company.

    Passionate about graphic design from a young age, Mew pursued a degree from the Grenadi School of Design in Melbourne — the capital of Art, Culture and Coffee of Australia. There Mew lived and learned, expressing his visual communication skills through photography and multimedia, as well as mastering the fine art of coffee-making.

    Back in Bangkok, Mew worked with design agencies Milan Cross and WhiteSpace Cre8tive, and developed tablet apps for Thai Airways, Andaman 365 and Land & House. His experience in hospitality extends to Starwood Hospitality’s portfolio of brands, with work for Westin and St. Regis.

    Mew enjoys travelling, and can always be found in the coolest Converse&trad; sneakers.
  • Nattira Medvedeva

    Nattira Medvedeva
    Marketing & Brand Communications Manager

    A former journalist, radio DJ, and hotel PR creative, Nattira brings her passion for hospitality and communications to her responsibilities handling the marketing and branding communications of GOCO and its clients.

    Being a graduate in Hotel & Tourism Management and holding an M.A in Communication Studies from Northern Illinois University, USA, Nattira has experience working in journalism, hospitality, as well as PR & marketing communications in Thailand, USA, and Dubai. She has also played instrumental roles in the organization and promotion of international triathlon and marathon events, as well as professional Thai boxing and charity golf tournaments.

    Nattira is an avid bookworm and can be found more often than not lost in a book or flipping the pages of a magazine with her iPod® emitting the sounds of jazz, pop, and rock music.
  • Pummy Sherpa

    Pummy Sherpa
    Regional Director of Spa Operations (India)

    As Regional Director of Spa Operations-India, Pummy is responsible for the coordination of the overall management and development of spas within the South Asia region.

    Having spent 11 years in the spa industry thus far, Pummy has garnered extensive experience from Asia to Europe. She started her career at Ananda in the Himalayas where she worked as spa supervisor and therapist. Most recently before joining GOCO, Pummy was Spa Director at The Claridges Spa, New Delhi and earlier served as Spa Treatment Manager for the highly-acclaimed Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park.

    Pummy has a degree in hotel management and international qualifications from CIBTAC and CIDESCO. Passionate about all things related to a healthy lifestyle as well as traveling, Pummy is most passionate about spending time with her son.
  • Shirin Navab

    Shirin Navab
    Regional Director of Spa Operations (Europe)

    Based out of GOCO’s Berlin office, Shirin has over 12 years’ experience in the spa industry, including extensive knowledge of spa operations and new business development. As Regional Director of Spa Operations she is responsible for the coordination of the overall management and development of spas in Europe.

    Prior to joining GOCO, she held the position as Spa Director in charge of pre-opening and day-to-day operations for the Adlon Day Spa at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin and the Spa at the Kempinski Grand Hotel, Heiligendamm. For several years Shirin held the position of Group Manager for the Spa & Salon Division at the European Headquarter of Kanebo Cosmetics International, where she was in charge of the European, Middle East, and South African market. She started her career as a make-up artist and therapist.

    Shirin is an excellent chef famous for her fabulous dinner parties. A yogo practitioner, she also enjoys traveling and reads extensively.
  • Sirintra J

    Sirintra J.
    Graphic Designer

    As graphic designer for GOCO, Sirintra is responsible for the production of creative work associated with all brands and projects.

    A graduate of Bangkok University International College in Computer Graphics and Multimedia, Sirintra brings to GOCO her creative eye and experience from working with Jim Thompson, Massfilm, GMM Grammy, and Spy Winery. Her past experience includes being an assistant director of music videos for leading Thai celebrities, as well as graphic and packaging design. She has also created a 2D animation cartoon that was chosen to showcase at an exhibition organized by the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC) and Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS).

    Sirintra’s wanderlust takes her traveling to different places, whether a trip abroad or a road-trip upcountry, allowing her to indulge in her other passion—landscape photography. She enjoys creating unique abstract images by editing the photos she takes.
  • Siriporn Nurukkhe

    Siriporn Nurukkhe
    Executive Assistant to the CEO

    Siriporn is responsible to assist the CEO in all administrative matters and to oversee the company’s flow of work streams through out the organization. After pursuing a Master degree in Economics from Eastern Michigan University, USA, Siriporn worked for over ten years for FMCG and Finance companies in Thailand. In her free time, Siriporn enjoys practicing yoga, surfing the Internet, reading yoga magazines and traveling. She is happy to have Thailand’s beautiful beaches and the upcountry hills as her backdrop to explore.
  • Siriwan Rujibhong

    Siriwan Rujibhong
    Assistant Design & Technical Services Manager

    Siriwan is responsible for the delivery of GOCO’s technical assistance to all projects including design briefs, product standards and guidelines, and overseeing design reviews.

    Siriwan joins GOCO having gained experience in interior design from firms such as Satelite Pro A/V and Sphya Construction in Bangkok and Miles Bolton Associates in Atlanta, Georgia. She earlier was a lecturer in the Department of Interior Design at Bangkok University for five years.

    Siriwan is a graduate of King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Bangkok in Interior Architecture and holds an M.S. in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. She has a deep interest in astronomy and is passionate about the arts, which she indulges by painting, and grooving to the dulcet tunes of jazz, bossanova and soul.
  • Tatpicha Heamasoot

    Tatpicha Heamasoot
    Office Manager

    As Office Manager, Tatpicha is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the GOCO Office and providing administrative support to GOCO team members.

    With a long-standing passion in the hospitality industry, Tatpicha pursued a postgraduate diploma in Hospitality Management at the Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM), one of Switzerland's finest hotel schools. Prior to joining GOCO, Tatpicha steadily built up her career to the position of Executive Secretary to the top senior management in multicultural firms, namely Frito-Lay Regional Offices in Thailand, and the Asia Pacific Potash Corporation.

    Fluent in Chinese, English, and Thai, Tatpicha raises pet turtles as well as practicing Shaolin Kung Fu in her spare time.

  • Thomas Wurzinger

    Thomas Wurzinger
    Group Director of Hotel Operations

    With over 20 years experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Thomas’ career has taken him to numerous places in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

    A strong believer in training and nurturing the talents of those in his team, his ingenuity and commitment to excellence has earned him many prestigious awards in the industry. Under Thomas’ leadership as General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg the hotel was awarded "Hotel of the Year" in 2007 and he was honored as "Hotelier of the Year".  He was a senior executive for Ritz-Carlton hotels in Berlin, Istanbul, Bahrain, Osaka, and Singapore.

    Thomas graduated from the Hotel Management School in Bad Gleichenberg, Austria and speaks German and English. Aside from his passion for hospitality and developing new talent, Thomas is a tech-savvy fan of all things Apple® and can always be counted on to have the most up-to-date gadgets. He is also a connoisseur who appreciates the sleek elegance, mechanical perfection, and speed of sports cars.
  • Vanessa Stoessel

    Vanessa Stoessel
    Project Coordinator, Operations

    A graduate of École Hôtelière Lausanne, Vanessa supports all operations initiatives for GOCO and our projects.

    Prior to joining the team, she held several sales, marketing and projects positions at Chiva-Som in Bangkok. She started her career as management trainee at the Sukhothai Hotel, Bangkok and the Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich. Vanessa brings a truly multicultural perspective to her work, having lived in Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey, Switzerland, South Africa, the Philippines, and Thailand.

    Vanessa is an avid world-traveler and practitioner of yoga, in which she is a certified teacher. A long-time resident of Bangkok, she is sure to know all of the great restaurants and attractions.
  • Vikas Rawat

    Vikas Rawat
    Regional Director of Spa Training (India)

    As Regional Director of Spa Training for the Indian region, Vikas is responsible for the overall training strategy for all phases of opening and operations within the region in order to drive treatment standards to a world-class level.

    Prior to joining GOCO, Vikas served as training manager with the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hyde Park, London where he was consistently awarded for his strong retail sales abilities over three consecutive years. His 10 years of experience have so far included European and Asian postings with previous work taking him through many aspects of spa operations including Senior Therapist and Yoga instructor.

    Vikas has a Hotel Management Degree, which he obtained in Mumbai, as well as diplomas in Ancient Indian Culture and Ayurveda. An Iyengar yoga enthusiast, Vikas’ greatest passion is being a doting father to his son.
  • Fifi Kao

    Fifi Kao
    Director & Editor-In-Chief, SpaChina Magazine

    Considered to be one of the most knowledgeable spa personalities in the Asian spa industry today, Fifi is credited to be the driving force behind the creation and development of SpaChina magazine, the first spa industry publication in the Chinese market. She was previously a President of the Chinese Spa Association and design director and managing editor of STARDOM magazine, a Starwood hotel group publication. Aside from speaking regularly at conferences on China spa industry trends, Fifi practices Tai Chi and studies traditional Chinese medicine, consecutively winning prizes at Hong Kong's International Wushu Festival. Fifi is an accredited international nutrition consultant and is fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese. In 2005, she wrote and illustrated a children's book.

    To read about the latest spa news in China, please visit SpaChina.
  • Professor Gerard Bodeker

    Professor Gerard Bodeker
    Oxford University Medical School, UK &
    School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA

    Working internationally in the wellness and complementary medicine fields, Professor Bodeker’s doctoral studies were at Harvard University. He is a senior faculty member in public health at Oxford University and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University, New York. He chairs the Oxford-based Global Initiative For Traditional Systems of Health, has been Chair of the Commonwealth Working Group on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and has done work on traditional medicine and medicinal plant conservation for a number of UN agencies, including the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization.

    Dr. Bodeker has written extensively on traditional & complementary medicine. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the World Health Organization Global Atlas on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine; a founding editor of the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine; editor of Policy & Public Health Perspectives on Traditional Complementary & Alternative Medicine; and co-editor of Elsevier Press’ Understanding the Global Spa Industry.

    He recently produced a book with Malaysian colleagues: Health & Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan; and is currently working on a new book about traditional Vietnamese medicine.
  • Gregory Colbert

    Gregory Colbert
    www.ashesandsnow.org

    Gregory began his career in Paris making documentary films about social issues. Filmmaking led to his work as a fine arts photographer, and the first public exhibition of his work was held in 1992 at the Musée de l’Elysée in Switzerland. He has appeared on CNN and The Discovery Channel and is a featured artist for the prestigious camera maker Hasselblad and is a Global Brand Ambassador for Rolex. Gregory currently continues on his expeditions and the development of his world-renowned project, Ashes and Snow.

    To learn more about this astounding art masterpiece,
    please visit Ashes and Snow.
  • Professor Marc Cohen

    Marc Cohen
    Professor, RMIT University

    A world-renowned authority in holistic health and wellness, Dr. Cohen is an expert advisor to the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Complementary Medicine Evaluation Committee and sits on the advisory board of many national and international associations, including the International Research Center for Healthy Ageing and Longevity. Dr. Cohen has held the responsibility of organizing eight International Holistic Health Conferences, has served as Chair of the Organization Committee for the First World Congress on Chinese Medicine, and has acted as Temporary Advisor to the World Health Organization. He has also developed the world’s first Master’s Degree program in Wellness. Dr. Cohen is a Global Spa Summit Board Member.
  • PRco

    PRco
    www.prco.com

    PRCo Ltd is an international public and media relations agency based in London with offices in New York, Paris, Moscow, Munich, Milan and Dubai. The firm offers PR consultancy to the hotel, travel, fashion and luxury goods industries. With over 100 retained clients spread across six continents, including many of world's most recognized brands, PRCo is among the top international public and media relations agencies. PRCo's unparalleled service is attributed as being one of the key components behind the success of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Raffles International Hotels & Resorts, Six Sense Resorts & Spa and many more.
  • Space Yoga Taiwan

    Space Yoga Taiwan
    www.withinspace.com

    SPACE is an urban sanctuary dedicated to the development of healthy bodies, clear minds and open hearts through the experience of Yoga. With two Taipei locations, they provide a warm, supportive and inclusive environment for learning and expanding to the highest potential of each person's body, mind and soul. People come first at SPACE and each individual is recognized for the bright and vibrant spirit that dwells within. SPACE recognizes that the paths to Truth are many and embraces all spiritual traditions as diverse expressions of One Divine Nature.

    SPACE offers a wide variety of yoga styles with varied intensity for all types of bodies and personalities.
  • Yoga Thailand

    Yoga Thailand
    www.yoga-thailand.com

    Yoga Thailand is a retreat center dedicated to the learning of all aspects of yoga including ashtanga vinyasa yoga, pranayama (breathwork), yoga training, meditation and special yoga philosophy related courses. Through its Samahita Wellness division, wellness and detox programs based on delicious and healthy food are also offered in an atmosphere conducive to both restoration and growth. Based on the tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand, the center has been a location for practice, learning and holiday for literally thousands of guests. Much emphasis is on the living of yoga in every aspect of one’s life such as food and the environment.