GUEST EXPERIENCE AUDIT 1000 & STRATEGY
At BraaiVeld, our Guest Experience Audit delves into every detail, with 1 000 touch points to refine and rethink each touchpoint of your guest journeys.
Drawing on years of firsthand experience staying and working at leading lodges, hotels, resorts, and conference centres around the world we uncover the nuances that define true hospitality excellence. We then deliver a comprehensive post-stay report along with the strategies, products, services and solutions to help you make meaningful, lasting improvements.
Team Leaders in Guest Experience Audit & Strategy
Maria Ryder
Maria is a brand builder, experience architect, and sustainability advocate who believes that the most powerful connections are created through purposeful interactions and the creation of meaningful moments. With an MBA (cum laude) in Sustainability Management and an Honours degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing, she brings together strategic insight, creative execution, and deep operational expertise.
Over the past two decades, Maria has founded and led a live marketing and events agency and held senior roles including Head of Experiential Marketing Europe for General Motors and Cadillac that has delivered over 4,500 high-impact hospitality experiences across Europe, North America, and Africa. She has been vendor for more than 188 corporate clients. From London to Ngorongoro Crater, and Stockholm to the Serengeti, she has shaped brand narratives and guest experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Maria is known for her meticulous attention to detail, from the smallest touchpoint to the overarching vision. Her passion lies in creating “campfire conversations” authentic, human-centred encounters that build brand love, loyalty, and memories. A skilled communicator and natural connector, she combines business acumen with a deep love for conservation, community development, and ethical brand storytelling.
She is a respected leader and culture ambassador who brings warmth, integrity, and purpose to every project. Friendly and down-to-earth, Maria is always in search of the optimal balance between sustainability, humanity, and progress.
Tyron Ryder
Tyron is a systems thinker, operations strategist, and procurement specialist with a passion for finding smart, scalable ways to improve how things work - behind the scenes. With over 20 years of experience leading agile, high-performing teams across Europe and Africa, Tyron brings deep expertise in product procurement, operations management and improving back-of house systems and processes.
He has held senior roles including Head of Service Delivery and European Operations Manager at a leading hydrogen and sustainability technology company, where he drove the implementation of renewable energy solutions and oversaw operations across Europe. From optimizing supply chains to streamlining business units, Tyron is known for eliminating inefficiencies, increasing productivity, and unlocking value through innovation and strategic planning.
Tyron has also overseen the delivery of more than 4,500 high-impact hospitality experiences, bringing precision, consistency, and excellence to every operational detail.
Whether working with startups or multinational corporations, he brings relentless focus, operational clarity, and a calm, can-do approach to every challenge. A natural problem-solver and collaborator, Tyron thrives at the intersection of operations, sustainability, and service delivery.
His greatest passion is the bushveld, in particular the Lowveld, and nothing makes him happier than a braai on quality hardwood.