Canadian national, Lynn Gervais, and Russian native, Valeria Mertsalova, have been appointed as director of public relations and public relations manager, respectively, of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

Gervais commenced her role as director of public relations this month and, in her new capacity, oversees the hotel’s media relations functions, social media activities, e-marketing efforts, advertising, collateral and website content, community programs, and corporate brand messaging.

Prior to this, Lynn was the director of public relations at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a property that she joined in late 2010 as part of the opening team.

Before moving to the UAE, Gervais successfully managed the media relations department at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, particularly during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games.

Prior to that, she worked in a regional role overseeing the public relations functions of five Fairmont properties in Vancouver.

Valeria Mertsalova is the new public relations manager of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

Having been on the opening teams of the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Moscow in 2007 as well as the company’s second hotel in Dubai, Valeria is no stranger to the brand.

Serving as public relations coordinator at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC since early 2008, she was instrumental in making the property’s opening in early 2011 a success.