Meet the committee
WGO has been run entirely by volunteers since 1973. No paid staff, no head office — just a dedicated group of women who give their time to keep the community going.
Between them, the committee organises the weekly Coffee Mornings, plans the monthly events calendar, manages memberships, and makes sure every new arrival in Muscat has somewhere to land. Most of them found WGO the same way you probably did — they turned up one Wednesday, felt at home, and never really left.
Gundi
Hi, I’m Gundi! Originally from Austria, I’ve been living abroad since 1997 — taking me from Gabon to Borneo, China, and Oman, which I’ve now called home for 15 years.
I joined the WGO committee in 2022 after attending my very first Coffee Morning and immediately feeling the warmth of the community. Since then, I’ve grown from General Member to Vice President, and as of early 2025, I’m honoured to serve as President.
What makes the WGO so special to me is seeing new ladies settle in so naturally — the connections made over a Wednesday Coffee Morning, with women from all corners of the world, are truly something.
Outside of WGO, I’m a keen bowler, love creating mosaics from broken tiles, enjoy camping and exploring Oman, and have served as Treasurer of the Caledonian Society since 2017.
Hayley
Hi, I’m Hayley! I’m British and have been living in Oman for the past eight years, having relocated from Dubai when my husband took on a new role within his company. Muscat felt very different to Dubai at first — much quieter — and joining the WGO was a huge part of what helped me feel at home here.
I’ve been on the committee for almost eight years, starting out as Events Coordinator before stepping back after the birth of my first daughter. I remained a General Member throughout, and once life found its rhythm after my second daughter arrived, I took on the role of Membership Coordinator — introducing the digital card and automating registration along the way.
I am now honoured to serve as WGO Vice President and hope to do the role every justice.
What I love most is the incredible community of women the WGO brings together and the wonderful events that come with it.
Outside of WGO life, you’ll find me enjoying time with my two daughters, my husband, and our dog, Jack.
Vionette
Born and raised in Puerto Rico and powered by a love for adventure, she has collected life experiences across the United States, Indonesia, Thailand, and Venezuela—before happily planting roots in Oman six years ago.
A proud member of the Women’s Guild in Oman since 2021, she stepped into the role of Treasurer in 2024, bringing both enthusiasm and a knack for keeping things on track.
Now calling Oman home for good, she’s always on the move—whether it’s hiking a new trail, biking under the sun, flowing through a yoga session, or discovering the next great spot. She loves meeting new people at events, dancing whenever there’s music, and saying “yes” to fun whenever it shows up.
When she’s not out and about, you’ll find her cherishing time with her family or planning her next travel adventure—because for her, life is best lived exploring, connecting, and enjoying every moment along the way.
Cherie
Hi I’m Cherie, I moved to Muscat nearly 20 years ago and have been proud to call it home ever since. At the WGO, I manage the social media platforms and website, combining my love of creativity with connecting our community.
I originally joined as a way to stay active and keep my design skills fresh, drawing on my background in design, printing, publishing, and hospitality. What began as a creative outlet quickly became something much more meaningful, as I was inspired by the WGO’s commitment to raising funds for local charities across Oman.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching the Guild grow from strength to strength, while meeting an incredible community of inspiring and diverse women along the way.
Outside of “work”, I have a wide range of interests and am making time to reconnect with my love for art which is something I’m really excited to explore again.
Satu
Hello, I’m Satu! Originally from Finland, I’m raising a multilingual and -national family currently based in Oman. We arrived 5 years ago “for few years” but fell in love with Oman, and here we still are! I have one daughter studying here and another one boarding in the UK.
I joined the WGO committee after having been a regular member for a year. The Women’s Guild has offered great friendships, and becoming the Events’ Manager meant that I was able to keep my professional skills alive. I really enjoyed meeting people and creating opportunities for our members to try something new every month. I’ve recently taken a step back from the Events and am contributing to the committee as a General Member, still loving meeting people and having a chat at the Wednesday coffee mornings.
Outside the WGO you will still probably find me drinking coffee in all the many lovely coffee shops in Muscat, trying to practice Arabic. And if not that, you can find me at the gym lifting weights!
Melody
As part of the WGO team, I’ve spent the last six months in Oman and have loved every minute of it. I’ve really enjoyed exploring the country, discovering new restaurants, and experiencing everything it has to offer. I’m passionate about racket sports, enjoy playing games, and thrive on meeting new people. I’m very much a people person and love building connections wherever I go. I look forward to meeting you all.
Melody x
Samantha
Hi, I’m Samantha, I am from Wales in the UK and moved to Oman in July 2024 for my husband’s job. Moving to a new country is never easy and joining the WGO has played a big part in making me feel at home and part of a community.
I am quite new to the committee, joining in October 2025 as a general member, but I have just taken over the Membership Co-ordinator role which is a great way for me to utilise my admin skills and to meet all our lovely new members!
What I love most about being part of the WGO is the opportunity to meet so many interesting, diverse and amazing women from all over the world. I love being part of such an active community that supports women and is open and friendly to all. I also love the range of events that we run, and of course the weekly breakfasts – there aren’t many places you can go alone and find a room full of friendly faces waiting to chat with you over a coffee!
Outside of the WGO I am a busy mum of 2 teenage daughters. In our spare time we like to get outdoors to the wadis and dessert as much as we can. Nothing beats watching the sunset over the desert then getting up early the next day to watch it rise again. I am also busy learning Arabic and I’m determined to be fluent by the time I leave here!
Ethna
Hi, I’m Ethna. I’m Irish and first relocated to Bahrain in 1992 for work, before moving with my family to Oman in 2013, a place I now proudly call home. In 2014, I joined the Women’s Guild where I became a part of a warm, welcoming and diverse community.
Over the years, my involvement has allowed me to build meaningful relationships through our weekly Wednesday coffee mornings and a variety of engaging events that bring members together. These experiences have strengthened my passion for community building and connection.
In my role as a Business Partner Manager, I focus on developing and nurturing with our Partners, creating mutually beneficial collaborations that support the Guild and the wider community. I am committed to identifying opportunities for growth, enhancing engagement and ensuring our partnerships reflect the values and spirit of the Guild.
Outside of the Guild, I lead an active and adventurous lifestyle. I am a yoga instructor, a licensed scuba diver and have a passion for horse riding and arts & crafts.
I bring the same energy, creativity and dedication into my role, striving to contribute positively into the Guild’s continued success.
Heather
Hello, My name is Heather Phelan, and I’m delighted to introduce myself. Originally from England, I have had the pleasure of being a member of the WGO for the past nine years, during which I’ve experienced a variety of roles and a wonderful sense of community.
Currently, my focus is on welcoming both new and returning members to our events, with a special emphasis on our cheerful weekly coffee mornings. It’s genuinely important to me that everyone is greeted with a friendly face and a warm smile, helping new members feel at ease and confident as they make new friends. I also enjoy supporting our long-standing members as they continue to grow and expand their friendship groups within our vibrant organisation.
Beyond my involvement with the WGO, I have a passion for rescuing dogs and cats, and I find great joy in giving animals a second chance at a happy life. I also love mosaicking, enjoy a friendly game of bowling, and have recently taken up Mahjong—a game that has quickly become a new favourite!
I look forward to connecting with you at future events and sharing more wonderful moments together.