Sonica Malhotra

Joint Managing Director, MBD Group

As Joint Managing Director of MBD Group, Sonica Malhotra Kandhari is driving the Group by taking powerful strides into hospitality, real estate, retail and mall development ventures.
Under her aegis, the Group forayed into the hospitality sector about 19 years ago when it entered into a franchise agreement with Radisson Hotels & Resorts and opened their first maiden venture The Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida. After its grand success, she replicated the success story by setting up Radisson Blu Hotel MBD Ludhiana – the first five-star of Ludhiana. She also introduced premium and luxury brands in the state of Punjab with MBD Neopolis, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
The company then got into joint venture with the Steigenberger Hotel Group, the largest German chain of hotels and resorts to manage and franchise hotels under the brand MBD Steigenberger for the Indian territory. In the coming years, the company will manage other assets under MBD Steigenberger Hotel venture and then aim to go global and venture into international markets.

Success Mantras:
“Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, I was privileged to be immersed in a milieu of aspiration and tenacity from a young age. Despite this advantageous backdrop, I recognized the paramount importance of forging my own identity and setting unique goals as a second-generation businesswoman keeping the vision and ethos established by our founder, my father Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra. One of my core principles involves fostering a balanced workplace where traditional values seamlessly co-exist with innovative approaches.
“From early on, I understood that resilience trumps perfection. It’s not about avoiding setbacks but about bouncing back stronger each time we face challenges. Open communication within my team have cultivated an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, which I believe are foundational elements for any thriving business.
“Frequent academic interludes not only enhance my skills but also invigorate the entire team. This emphasis on empowerment and growth serves as the cornerstone of our organization’s success.”