At Emperor Divers, we take immense pride in the remarkable people who contribute to our success and have been shining a spotlight on the inspiring women who make us the organisation we are through our weekly ‘Ladies Day’ feature.
We have spoken to several of our special ladies having started with Theresa Simpson, the pioneering force who established Emperor Divers and set the stage for our groundbreaking achievements.
This has all be done in the run-up to PADI Womens Day which takes place tomorrow (July 20, 2024) and when we will be announcing a rather special trip you might well be interested in. Keep your eyes peeled…
In the meantime, here’s a look back at wonderful few weeks celebrating the women of Emperor.
Theresa Simpson
Theresa was one of the founders of Emperor Divers in the early 1990s. After years of running training programs worldwide, the allure of the Red Sea beckoned, leading them to Egypt where they would make history.
Through her vision and perseverance, Theresa helped establish Emperor Divers as a renowned entity, noted for the quality of our Instructor Development Courses (IDCs).
Reflecting on how it all started, Theresa recalled: “What started as a holiday of a lifetime turned into a business opportunity when the idea of teaching an IDC in Sharm el Sheikh arose.
“Egypt was brimming with dive guides and instructors from various European agencies, but there were no certified instructors.”
So she became the first woman course director in Egypt, and the only director residing in the country, where she navigated many challenges to lay the foundation for the multi-award-winning company we are today and set a benchmark for future generations of women at Emperor Divers.
Find out more about Theresa’s story
Joe Roberts
Joe Roberts is truly multi-talented – a dive guide at our Wadi Sabarah centre, her role extends beyond the water as she is also an accomplished artist and yoga instructor.
Her artwork adorns the walls of the dive centre, and her evening talks on Red Sea marine life are a favourite among guests.
She also combines her yoga practice into her approach to diving.
“Diving is yoga for me,” Joe said. “From the first time I experienced going underwater, I was amazed by the yogic qualities of scuba. It was like skipping 20 years of yoga practice and dropping straight into meditation!”
Find out more about Joe’s story
Yasmine Gamal
Yasmine joined Emperor Divers in 2017 and has been an integral part of our reservations team ever since. Her journey into diving began in 2014 as part of her maritime archaeology studies, leading to a passion that would shape her career.
Her dedication to ensuring guests have the best experience possible is her motivation.
“The best part of the job is speaking to people and helping them book the ideal trips that suit their needs and preferences,” Yasmine explained. “Working in reservations is special as you are the first in line to deal with guests so the first impression of the company.
“You then have the chance to get know the diver, their needs, their experience, their preferences, and provide them with the perfect holiday.”
Find out more about Yasmine’s story
Ana Arif
A dive guide on Emperor Leo in the Maldives, Ana has a deep connection to the ocean. Born in Male, her love for the sea led to a career that enables her to promote the incredible diving in her homeland and share the beauty of the Maldives with Emperor Divers’ guests.
“It’s really hard to pick a favourite dive site in Maldives because there are so many beautiful sites around,” she said.
“If I were to pick one, it would be the deep south of Maldives. Foammulah (also known as Fuvahmulah) is very special for me because I’ve had the first of many encounters there. I’ve seen the biggest school of tunas that I’ve ever seen in my life. It was a very, very special encounter and beautiful as well.”
Find out more about Ana’s story
Anna Zamurueva
Anna Zamurueva, known as Anna Z, has used her calm and reassuring customer service to help countless guests book their perfect diving holidays. Anna’s personal touch and dedication to ensuring guests choose the right itineraries for their experience levels make her an invaluable part of the team.
“I believe it is important to be “met” by a nice, helpful person when you are looking to book or searching for information, so I try my best to be that person,” she said.
“I really love it when I can help guests quickly, with any kind of information, and that leads to a confirmed booking.
Find out more about Anna’s story
Elise Watling
Elise, a dive guide in Sharm el Sheikh, has spent more than 15 years with Emperor sharing the underwater wonders of the Red Sea with divers – and is greatly loved because of it.
“My initial introduction to the team was actually as a guest,” she explained. “And I kept coming back and back and back for the atmosphere that I think Emperor Divers is known to provide.
“For me, the most important thing about the role I do here is seeing the repeat guests coming back year after year after year. It’s just a really lovely family atmosphere.”
Her favourite sites include the Jackson coral garden and Shark & Yolanda, where vibrant soft corals and schooling snappers create unforgettable experiences.
Find out more about Elise’s story
Indah Desiana
Indah Desiana, personal assistant to Emperor Divers CEO Alex Bryant, helps to ensure the smooth running of the company’s operations. With a background in International Relations, Indah’s organisational skills are vital in managing Alex’s busy schedule. She values the inclusive and empowering culture at Emperor Divers, which supports the growth and development of female employees.
She said: “The team culture at Emperor Divers mixes professionalism and a passion for diving. There seems to be a strong sense of fellowship among team members, driven by a shared love for the ocean and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to guests. “
Find out more about Indah’s story
Nicole Veltman
Nic, as she’s known within Emperor, has held various roles from dive guide to sales manager. This extensive experience gives her a comprehensive understanding of the industry, making her perfect for overseeing the reservations team. Nic’s favourite diving memory is her first encounter with a whaleshark, an experience that continues to bring a smile to her face.
“I was teaching an Advanced course student and a shadow appeared in my peripheral vision,” she explained.
“Thinking it was my student I turned my head. Right next to him was a huge blob so I signed to look next to him. I don’t know who was more excited to see this baby whaleshark of about five metres, him or me.”
Find out more about Nicole’s story
Katy Schweigler
A dive guide in the Maldives, Katy transitioned from a successful career in nursing to follow her passion for diving.
She said: “In the years before I became a professional, I worked weekends at my local dive centre in the store or helping on dive shows. Then the time came, the kids were growing up and stable in life, so I was able to change my own life. I did my instructor course in Germany and have worked since full-time in the dive industry ever since.”
Her advice to divers is to always be ready for the unexpected, as the ocean is full of surprises. Katy’s dedication to sharing the underwater world with guests and promoting conservation makes her an invaluable member of the Emperor Divers team.
Find out more about Katy’s story
Emperor Divers are incredibly proud of the amazing women who help make us the successful and popular company we are. The stories of passion, dedication and expertise continue to inspire and drive us forward.
With PADI Womens Day taking place tomorrow, make sure you keep a close eye on our blog and social media as we bring you news of a very special trip.