Current Role and Affiliation

Chitra Stern is the Co-founder and Owner of Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, United Lisbon International School, and the Edu Hub Lisbon. She is recognized for her innovative contributions to tourism, education, and real estate development in Portugal.

Career Highlights

Chitra began her career as an auditor and consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London after obtaining her Chartered Accountancy qualification. She transitioned to entrepreneurship, co-founding Martinhal Resorts with her husband, Roman Stern. Under her leadership, Martinhal has become a benchmark in family-oriented luxury hospitality. Additionally, Chitra expanded into education with the founding of United Lisbon International School and Edu Hub Lisbon, fostering synergies between education and business.

Educational Background

  • Bachelor’s in Electronic Engineering, University College London
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), London Business School
  • Multiple Executive Education Programs with London Business School, Berkeley-Hass School of Business, INSEAD and Harvard Business School

Key Achievements and Awards

  • Recipient of Portugal’s Medal of Merit (2024) for her contributions to the tourism sector.
  • Named Executiva Foreign Manager 2024 and recognized by the Deloitte Institute for Entrepreneurship.
  • Led Martinhal Resorts to win numerous accolades in hospitality and real estate sectors.

Additional Contributions or Interests

Chitra actively supports entrepreneurship and education through philanthropic initiatives and advisory roles. She has served on multiple boards and councils, including the Committee of Portugal IN, an initiative to enhance foreign direct investment in Portugal. She is passionate about fostering innovation and sustainability in business and empowering future generations.

Chitra and Roman have donated to the London Business School to fund scholarships and to local educational projects such as the new university buildings of Nova School of Business and Economics as well as Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics.