Discova Women in Leadership: Putu Seruni Pratiwi Sudiharta
Discova Indonesia’s Operations and Reservations Leader Putu Seruni Pratiwi Sudiharta’s decision to work in tourism was fueled by an urge to learn English and be part of an industry which has been consistently growing and developing in the island of Bali which she calls home. Despite studying Economics in university and not having a formal background in tourism, Seruni joined Discova in 2015 as an Operations Executive and has steadily climbed the ranks in the last decade to currently lead our Operations and Reservations teams in Bali.
Directly responsible for ensuring our guests have the most effortless and comfortable stay in Bali, Seruni’s job comes with a lot of responsibility. But she’s never one to shy away from taking things in her stride, despite the challenges that may come her way. Handling hundreds of staff during the Annual Global Gathering of our parent company Flight Centre Travel Group in 2023 and another major conference in 2019 are key milestones that especially stand out for her.
She says, “My team and I spent sleepless nights at the airport to ensure the smooth arrival of our guests during major conferences in 2019 and 2023. They showed me the power of teamwork and the dedication of everyone in the office to bring such a big event to life. It was an intense experience (especially doing it when you were five months pregnant) but seeing everything come together was really rewarding.”
At Discova, Seruni oversees a primarily male team of drivers and guides, where most of her team members are her senior in age. Even though in most Asian societies, elder men are considered to have the last word in terms of decision-making, Seruni has not let this cultural expectation affect her in a professional workspace.
She adds, “Leading a predominantly male team, many of whom are senior to me in age and experience, has taught me that respect is earned through active engagement, actions, and dedication. I would say that my mother played a big role in shaping my approach—she taught me to be fierce, dominant and hands-on. By showing that I was willing to take on the same work as the men, take ownership, and make tough decisions when needed, I was able to earn their respect.”
Seruni considers her time at Discova to have been an incredible learning experience filled with numerous growth and development opportunities, and this has inspired her to urge other women to chase their dreams and be fierce and confident in pursuing the career path they choose for themselves. She has also had several influential mentors throughout her career, each of whom has shaped her approach to leadership in different ways by providing guidance and support, when she needed it the most.
“I would say my mother is my first mentor. Since my father’s health had declined due to a stroke in my childhood, she stepped up and became the main breadwinner in the family, a role which is typically reserved for men. She taught me to always have a “can do” mentality and to be brave even in the most challenging circumstances,” informs Seruni.
Discova’s Director of Operations Peter Christiansen and Indonesia Country Manager Ayu Kristiana have also been great role models for Seruni, by teaching her how to be resilient and positive in every situation.
“They made me realise that leadership is not just about managing tasks, but about nurturing talent and helping people grow in their roles,” says Seruni insisting that leading with confidence and clarity does not make a woman bossy.
She wants more women to believe in themselves and never let others assumption of them hold them back. To have more women flourish as leaders in their workplace, she urges them to trust their abilities, stand firm in their convictions, and push forward. Seruni understands that by building confidence, including young women in decision making process, and encouraging them to take charge of their own leadership journeys, we can change the mindset and narrative around women in leadership.
“Your confidence will take you further than you might expect, and you’ll prove that your strength and determination are what truly define you,” she concludes.
