In an industry dedicated to healing, balance, and vitality, leadership can often become the unseen backbone of success. For Julie van Rooyen, General Manager of Amani Spa & Wellness, leadership in wellness more than just managing operations, it’s about modelling the very values the industry promotes.
For nearly two decades, Julie has carved a leadership style rooted in empathy, resilience, and operational experience. Her journey from therapist to executive has given her a rare depth of insight into the multiple layers of wellness businesses, a perspective that now informs every decision she makes.
“You can’t lead in this industry without understanding people, from your guest to your team to your client.”
From Treatment Room to Boardroom
Julie’s path into the wellness world wasn’t meticulously planned. Not sure what to do after high school, her father offered two simple pieces of advice: choose a path where you can work for yourself, and make sure it’s internationally recognised. That pragmatic guidance led her to study beauty therapy in Stellenbosch and eventually to the expansive decks of a cruise ship bound for the Mexican Riviera.
“It was terrifying,” she laughs. “You walk onto this ship that’s the size of a building, and it’s taking me to the middle of the ocean… but within a week, I knew I’d do another contract.” What began as a leap into the unknown turned into five years of global experience, meeting people from all walks of life, and building an unshakeable work ethic. “It shaped how I view service and professionalism. Every guest deserves your full attention, even if it’s your tenth massage of the day.”
After returning to South Africa, Julie began rising through the ranks. From a managerial role at a Mozambican resort to national spa operations in South Africa, and finally to Amani Spa & Wellness, where she has worked across departments and cultures.
“Because I started at the ground level, I can relate to the therapist who doesn’t understand targets yet, or the spa manager who’s new to budgets. I can lead from a place of understanding.”
Redefining Leadership in Wellness
At Amani Spa & Wellness, Julie oversees a portfolio that spans boutique hotel spas, luxury safari lodges, and international franchises. But whether she’s in Johannesburg or Riyadh, her leadership philosophy stays consistent: people first.
Julie sees wellness leadership as a lived practice; one that prioritises presence, accountability, and authenticity. She’s quick to acknowledge the industry paradox: while wellness professionals help others find balance, they often struggle to maintain their own.
“It’s something I’m still learning. We have access to treatments, tools, knowledge, but you have to intentionally make time for it”
Whether it’s joining a company wellness challenge or carving out time for team check-ins, she leads by example and leans into the core pillars of wellbeing to guide her leadership style: social, mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.
“Every team member has a different background, different challenges. I try to be mindful of that. When I ask something of someone, I ask myself: am I also willing to do it? That’s something I’ve learned from Ronleigh [Amani’s founder and CEO].”
Looking Ahead
Julie is part of the senior team guiding Amani through a period of strategic expansion. Central to this growth is the belief that wellness isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And for Julie, that starts with how people are treated, not just clients, but every person in the value chain.
“Wellness isn’t just a treatment. It’s how we treat our teams, our guests, and ourselves.”
When asked what advice she’d give to the next generation of wellness leaders, she doesn’t hesitate: “Be a sponge. Make mistakes. Try everything. And just because you haven’t done something before doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”
Julie is proof that true leadership in wellness isn’t about perfection, it’s about integrity, clarity, and a deep commitment to elevating others. At Amani, and across the continent, she is shaping a more grounded, human, and sustainable model for what wellness leadership can be.
