Ana Maria joined Six Senses in 2006 to create the premier destination spa of the 21st century: Six Senses Erawan - A Destination Spa at Phuket. She heads the operation and development of the project and the future development of the brand.

Ana Maria was the founding general manager and deputy managing director of renowned Chiva-Som International Health Resort, a role which she performed for six years and which firmly established the facility as a market leader. Under her direction Chiva-Som was awarded the world’s premier destination Health Resort, as voted by the readers of Conde Naste Traveller Magazine.

Following that tenure, Ana Maria relocated to her country of birth - Portugal - where she was responsible for planning the development of Chiva-Som Health Resort’s first overseas venture. Ana Maria later joined Shun Tak Holding Limited in Hong Kong as owner’s representative for three international 5-star properties and the largest conference centre in Macau.