Maria Micallef currently serves as an Executive Director at The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., GSD Marketing Ltd., The Waterfront Hotel and The Institute of English Language Studies (IELS). 

Maria is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in senior management roles across various industries. Prior to her current roles, Maria was the Chief Executive Officer of The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd, the bottler and distributor for The Coca Cola Company in Malta, The Waterfront Hotel, a leading four-star superior hotel and up to 2019 also for Arkadia Marketing Ltd., a retailing company operating both in the food and fashion business. Under her leadership, she hired teams that ensured significant business transformations and growth initiatives in the various companies.

Maria has been an influential figure in Malta’s corporate and public sectors. She previously served as Chairperson of Air Malta between the years 2014 to 2017 and was also a Member of the University of Malta Council. She currently sits on the Police Governance Board and is a Member of the Foundation for Medical Services, contributing her expertise to key national initiatives. Maria is also on the Board of Trustees of the Richmond Foundation.

A chemist by profession, Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Malta and an MBA in General and Strategic Management from the Maastricht School of Management.

Recognized for her strategic leadership and industry expertise, Maria has played a pivotal role in shaping business development whilst ensuring adequate governance. She has served on the European Technical Committee for The Coca-Cola Company in Europe, where she was the first woman elected to represent small bottlers across the region. Her contributions span across corporate growth strategies, operational excellence, and fostering collaboration between private enterprises and government bodies. With a strong background in navigating complex business environments, she remains committed to driving sustainable success and innovation.