Title: Senior Program Manager
Company: World Bank Group
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Sharon S. Eliatamby, Senior Program Manager at the World Bank Group, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Hospitality.
Ms. Eliatamby’s career in the hospitality sector spans over 25 years, marked by her expertise in client liaison and contract management. Since 2016, she has served as a senior program manager at the World Bank Group. In this role, she manages contracts and ensures that the needs of bank staff are met. Her responsibilities include managing a two-person executive team that works directly for the World Bank and oversees a staff comprising 200 team members. Ms. Eliatamby also manages vendor service delivery, monitors vendors to prevent abuse, participates in capital budget improvement project meetings, leads daily team meetings and conducts food tastings to verify cuisine authenticity. Additionally, Ms. Eliatamby coordinates culturally significant events. Her leadership style emphasizes teamwork and collective success, fostering a collaborative environment where her team thrives.
Before her current position, Ms. Eliatamby spent 2006 to 2016 as a food services officer at the World Bank Group. She also spent a decade as the director of food and beverage at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Her tenure there was characterized by her ability to adapt and lead through challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout these roles, Ms. Eliatamby has been recognized for her resilience and adaptability, qualities that have been instrumental throughout her professional journey.
Notably, the World Bank is made up of approximately 190 member countries. It serves as a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries worldwide.
Ms. Eliatamby’s educational background laid a strong foundation for her career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1991. Her academic pursuits began in Switzerland at Hotelonsult and Cesar Ritz, where she studied hotel and restaurant management. This international education equipped Ms. Eliatamby with a comprehensive understanding of hospitality operations and management principles.
Extending beyond her professional roles, Ms. Eliatamby’s contributions to the industry have included memberships, notably as the president of the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management, where she made history as the first Asian woman to hold this position. She is also actively involved with IFMA, the Food Away from Home Association’s advisory council, and Asian American Lead, as an advisory council member and former board of directors member.
Ms. Eliatamby’s journey from Malaysia to Switzerland and eventually to the U.S. is a testament to her determination and adaptability. Influenced by her mother’s example of fearlessness and resilience as one of the first female police officers in Malaysia during the late 1950s and 1960s, she has embraced challenges throughout her life and career with confidence. Ms. Eliatamby’s story serves as an inspiration for those looking to make their mark in the hospitality industry without being constrained by titles or traditional expectations.
Ms. Eliatamby’s accolades include being named a Top Operator by the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers and a Top Achiever — Operator by Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine in 2026. Looking ahead, she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation entering the hospitality industry. She plans to engage in teaching at a college or university level to share her knowledge and inspire others.
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