The Travel Leader

Jacob Messina, the CEO of Stayntouch, is a seasoned leader with a profound understanding of technology's critical role in the hospitality sector. Before taking the reins at Stayntouch, he served as the Senior Vice President of Technology & Innovation at MCR Hotels, where he oversaw technology for a portfolio of 150 hotels. With over a decade of experience at Loews Hotels & Co., his expertise spans hotel technology, distribution, and digital transformation. Jacob's unique blend of hotel and tech knowledge positions him as a dynamic force propelling Stayntouch's innovation in the hospitality industry, all with a strong commitment to the customer experience. 

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Dorothy Dowling, ISHC is a seasoned management consultant and growth advisor, with Horwath HTL with over 40 years of experience in the global hospitality industry. As the former Global Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Sales at Best Western, she excelled at shaping marketing and commercial strategies. Dowling actively contributes to HSMAI and is a special advisor to the HSMAI Foundation Board. Her industry leadership earned her prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards from HSMAI, the NYU Investment Conference, and GBTA. She holds an Honours BA and MA from the University of Waterloo, completed executive programs at Harvard and MIT, and holds postgraduate certifications in D&I and ESG from Cornell. Dowling is also a public trustee at CubeSmart (NYSE:CUBE), the third largest Storage REIT, and is Director-certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothydowling/

https://global.hsmai.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HSMAI-Foundation-State-of-Talent-2024.pdf

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Stephanie Sparks Smith, CHDM is CEO and Digital Matriarch at Cogwheel Marketing TM️ and partner and consultant at Cayuga Hospitality Consultants. Her agency focuses on helping hotel owners and management companies drive incremental exposure and revenue to their websites and online channels through hotel digital marketing and advertising. The expertise of Cogwheel Marketing is knowing the intricacies of the branded hotel systems and understanding where brand marketing stops and hotel level marketing begins. Cogwheel Analytics TM️ , developed by Cogwheel Marketing, is a hotel digital marketing reporting and BI tool that aggregates data from multiple sources to allow companies to identify trends and opportunities in their online presence.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-sparks-smith/

Resources mentioned in the episode:

The Energy Bus https://jongordon.com/book/the-energy-bus/

The Big Leap https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level-ebook/dp/B0026772QU

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

As a graduate student deeply interested in hospitality, Krystal Qi is honored to contribute to the advancement of the hospitality industry. In her role as the program coordinator for corporate engagement at the University of South Carolina, Krystal facilitates connections and supports industry initiatives with humility and dedication. Leveraging her background in hotel operations, Krystal is committed to continuous learning and growth. With a focus on excellence and integrity, she navigates the complexities of the field diligently. Krystal eagerly embraces oportunities to explore new strategies and trends, striving to make a positive impact in the hospitality industry. Krystal is currently part of She Has A Deal, and has served as a student ambassador for ALIS three times. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiming-krystal-qi-40042a194/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Allie joined the Uncommon Hospitality team in 2020 after relocating to Maine from Australia. She looks after the brand, voice, and identity of each hotel in the portfolio and creates strategic marketing plans to drive new guest acquisition, retention, engagement, and lifetime value. Allie utilizes a variety of tactics to introduce guests to the hotels and ensure they return again and again—she is an expert in digital marketing, social media, influencer management, local partnerships, and more. Allie attended American University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Technology in Sydney, studied abroad in Rome, and completed online courses from Harvard Business School and Cornell University. She lives in South Portland with her husband, Ciaran.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-meyer/

The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Traveling through young adulthood with an intense fascination with maps and cartography in general, a career in land use management and geography seemed like a natural fit. Upon graduation from Clark University during the peak of the "Great Recession", like most other millennials, Paul refocused from his dream job towards something that would pay the bills. That lead him to the travel industry, specifically, a travel broker, where we channeled his past experiences and knowledge of the world to help aspiring globetrotters optimize their travel routes. His ability to merge logistical efficiency with intercultural communication and an understanding of diverse regions led him to pivot to a digital marketing role, and the boutique hotel management field. As Migis Hotel Group's Director of Digital Marketing & Sales, Paul directs all revenue management and marketing strategies, focused on combining only the best of corporate practices and expertise with the traditions and legacy of quintessential New England innkeeping.

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Vanessa Miller is a chef and operations strategist with more than 18 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Miller’s unique perspective on restaurants and hospitality combines front-of-house and back-of-house management experience with an analytical approach to operations, fueled by Economics and Political Science training from Tufts University, where she also played basketball. Starting in restaurants at the age of 16, Miller quickly climbed the ranks and, with no formal culinary training, transitioned to the kitchen where she discovered her passion for food and honed her culinary talent. In 2013, at the age of 24, Miller became the youngest female Executive Chef in New York City when she opened The Dalloway in SoHo. Guided by a ‘team-sport-inspired’ leadership philosophy, Miller has executed creative and sophisticated menus, led diverse teams, and managed operations in a variety of leadership roles in NYC, including Director of Food and Beverage, Director of Restaurants, and Director of Culinary Operations. In her current role as Senior Director of Food and Beverage for 21c Museum Hotels, she oversees food and beverage operations for the company's 8 properties, including the development and execution of culinary and restaurant concepts, menus, and service standards.

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Nicole Mahoney is an entrepreneur, speaker, and podcast host with a passion for business. She’s the founder of Break the Ice Media, a PR and digital marketing agency specializing in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, and also serves as the CEO of Travel Alliance Partners. In her weekly podcast, Destination on the Left, launched in 2016, she interviews tourism professionals from all over the globe on creativity and collaboration.

She commissioned a first-of-its-kind research study in 2020 to examine what makes partnerships successful and explore the role collaboration is playing in helping the industry recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Those results, her recorded conversations with more than 300 podcast guests, and her personal experience formed the basis of her book, Stronger Together: Building World-Changing Business Collaborations. Nicole resides in Canandaigua, New York.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemahoney/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Most recently Lou Zameryka has completed 17 years building global commercial strategies and teams at Booking.com. Lou also has served for over 15 years in various volunteer leadership positions at organizations such as the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association, as both the President of the Largest Chapter (NY) and as an America's Board member.

Lou is a positive person with a passion for human potential and achievement. He enjoys the process of creating and refining ideas as well as supporting people from the early stages to achieving their fullest potential.

He uncovered his strengths, and character traits as well as developed his mindset during the past 20+ years of experience opening amazing new hotels, building Booking.com into the industry leader in travel, and as a volunteer leader with the

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. There is more to Lou's story but these experiences were foundational and contributed the most.

Lou’s daily training sessions as an amateur competitive long distance runner gives him time to reflect on the knowledge shared with him and think through challenging opportunities. When not running or doing what some people would call “work”, Lou spends as much time as possible with his wife, son and daughter. Typically doing things they each love which includes camping, surfing, sailing, and pretty much anything outdoors all while exploring destinations across the world.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/louzameryka/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Saxton Sharad is the CEO of Revival Hotels, a firm specializing in aiding independent properties and unique hospitality brands. Before this, he expanded Graduate Hotels from 12 to 35 properties as its COO, initiating its international growth and establishing the Brand Operations Department for brand consistency and efficiency. He also spearheaded the development of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, a luxury golf hotel venture. Earlier, Saxton founded Post Script Hospitality, a groundbreaking hotel consulting firm. With a hands-on approach, Post Script enhanced service and profitability, generating millions in profit for clients. Saxton worked with over 20 brand affiliations globally and advised renowned brands like Four Seasons, Meadowood Resort, and Omni Hotels. His hospitality journey began with roles at Intercontinental Boston, Wynn Las Vegas, and Caesars Palace. A Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration alumnus, he's also a Certified Hotel Administrator. Residing in New York, Saxton cherishes his role as a father to three children and a husband to Karen.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/saxton-sharad-cha-6642a49/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

On this episode of The Travel Leader we hosted SHaD Talk, a series of discussions highlighting participants of She has a Deal's pitch competition. We were joined by guest co-host Tracy Prigmore, founder of She has a Deal, Viviana Wilkens and Portia Hood. Learn more about She has a deal at www.shehasadeal.com and our guests below.

The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

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Tracy L. Prigmore, founder of TLTsolutions, champions generational wealth through strategic real estate investments, managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio across four states. Honored as LODGING's 2021 "Person of the Year" and recognized in 2022 by IHI among global hospitality's most influential, Tracy's standout achievement is "She Has a Deal." This pioneering EdTech platform promotes commercial real estate pathways for women and people of color. Its flagship Hotel Investment Pitch Competition, SHaDPitch, has been pivotal in fostering a new generation of women real estate leaders. Tracy, formerly a healthcare executive, resides in northern Virginia with her family.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-l-prigmore-097656/

Portia Hood, a seasoned Director of Sales and Marketing with 20 years in the hospitality sector, has represented giants like Marriott, Hilton, and Intercontinental Hotel Group. Awarded as one of Hilton's "Hospitality Heroes" in 2021, she led her hotel to "Best Revenue Optimization" in 2022. A shining star in her field, Portia achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by winning the coveted She Has A Deal Today's Woman Track, showcasing her expertise and vision for the future of the industry. Alongside her hospitality prowess, she's a licensed realtor in Maryland and holds an MBA from Mercer University. With eyes set on hotel ownership, Portia's journey epitomizes leadership, perseverance, and passion. She resides in Northern Virginia with her family.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/portia-h-97254a174/

Viviana Wilkins was born and raised in San Diego, California. She is Mexican-American and first of the second generation to graduate college with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management emphasis in hotels and M.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management Leadership from San Diego State University. With experience from Westin Gaslamp, W Hollywood, LAZ Parking, and Four Seasons, her career pivoted after placing 2nd in the "She Has a Deal" hotel investment pitch competition in 2020. Now the Director of Asset Management and Investor Relations at TLTsolutions, Viviana also coaches early-career teams with SHaD Squad. Aspiring to own a hotel in Mexico, she's driven to inspire Latina women towards hotel ownership and development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianaw5/

Stacia Harvey-Randall is the co-founder of the Black Women of Hospitality Organization.  She has worked in the hotel industry for 22 years working for various brands.  Stacia is originally from Berwick, Louisiana but resided in New Orleans, Louisiana for over 20 years. Stacia graduated from Southern University at New Orleans with a B.A. in General Studies, and a Minor in Print Journalism.  Stacia also obtained a Master's Degree from University of Phoenix in Adult Training and Development.  She started her career as a Front Desk agent and now is a Director of Human Resources.  Her passion is public speaking, recruiting, and leadership development.  She overcame many barriers throughout her journey, and now her drive is to assist other women with reaching their goals and creating pathways to fulfill their service dreams! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg

Michelle Hurtt believes empowering her teams is the way to bring out her teams full potential. She has been overseeing Pure Hotels LLc. hotels as their Regional Service Manager. She has 1,000's of hours of training that allow her to bring the knowledge to her teams. She currently has helped ownership start a new adventure with another hotel and brand. She was able to start as a housekeeper and work her way up by having the never give up attitude. She is a firm believer in every role in the hospitality paints the picture of the whole guest experience. If you would like to learn more about Michelle, connect with her on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-hurtt-61503a246/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg

Gary Jamison is a highly skilled and guest-oriented Concierge with a remarkable career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality and tourism industry. Gary is known for his exceptional service to clients and tourists, always striving to exceed expectations. His track record includes mentoring newly hired personnel to improve their customer service focus on guests and visitors.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the tourism industry, Gary was honored with The Feb 2016 Hitmaker's Award from The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.

With an array of talents, Gary possesses the ability to motivate team members, ensuring they perform at their best. He exhibits a laser focus when completing tasks, excelling in multitasking projects to meet tight deadlines. His exceptional listening skills and problem-solving capabilities make him a valuable asset.

Currently, Gary is the Chef Concierge at the Loews Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Previously, he was part of the Opening Concierge team at Grand Hyatt Hotel and Chef Concierge at JW Marriott, where he worked closely with guests, including VIPs and celebrities, providing impeccable service while respecting their privacy. He has also played an active role in promoting local attractions and events, enhancing guests' experiences.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyjamison/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg

Sara joined Olympia in 2006 and spent several years at the property level, including the award winning Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, before joining the Home Office in 2013 as Vice President of Olympia Hotel Management, leading the company’s growing portfolio of independent hotels and restaurants.

In 2019 Sara was promoted to President of Olympia Hotel Management, responsible for maximizing owner value through property performance and growing the organization’s managed portfolio of unique hotel and food & beverage assets across the United States. Prior to joining Olympia, Sara was a regional director for a Boston-based asset management company. She started her career in a variety of operating roles at full-service independent resorts on Cape Cod. Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in history. Sara is the Immediate Past President of the New England Inns & Resorts Association and has been a speaker for a variety of hospitality and travel groups, including the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, Indie Lodging Congress and the College and University Hotel Owner Society.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-masterson-910b83a/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg

In May 2023 Dylan Beaumont was a guest on the Travel Leader Podcast. Dylan sadly passed away suddenly on June 24, 2023. In place of a new episode we are re-leasing his recent episode in his memory. For full details about Dylan's memorial service see information from his cousin Kristine Smith https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7079149215163035648?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7079149215163035648%2C7079257745765384194%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287079257745765384194%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7079149215163035648%29 Dylan was passionate about helping women escaping domestic violence. Donate in his memory to the Hope & Safety Alliance https://www.hopesafetyalliance.org/donate

A former Hotelier of the Year, Jeff David has a pedigree that spans over twenty-five years and is a leader in the hospitality industry in opening luxury properties.  Jeff’s expertise in the hotel start-up space credits him in opening $1.7 billion dollars worth of high-profile luxury assets in Aspen, Anguilla, Times Square, Nantucket, Washington DC, and most recently Los Angeles. In 2017, he founded his company, Jeff David Hospitality, to scale his experience into other facets of the service industry, with partners and clients in the private aviation, solar powered marine residences, and social impact space. For two years he served as President of The Fitler Club in Philadelphia, best described as a hybrid business model that combines Equinox, WeWork and Soho House in a 130,000 square foot private club. He served as President of Align Hospitality, a new venture combining long and short term rentals, private members club, events, co-working and food and beverage business models into one synergistic community, which was acquired by Sentral February of 2022. Jeff's prior experience has led him to his most recent professional endeavor as the Chief Operating Officer for Method Co., a vertically integrated management, development and design company rooted in hospitality. Method provides complementary experiences that address fundamental changes in consumers behavior and its relationship to real estate. Method has hotels, restaurants, short term rental apartments and a private club in 9 cities under management or development (2023).

His recent opening was the Santa Monica Proper (2019), the first luxury hotel development in 15 years in Santa Monica. Prior to that he led the 2016 resurrection of the infamous Watergate Hotel that closed its doors in 2008.  He also re-opened the historic Knickerbocker Hotel in 2014 on 42nd & Broadway, the address known for being the "Crossroads of the World" with 60 million pedestrians a year. Jeff spent six years as GM with Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, he was instrumental in opening and operating several properties in the company’s portfolio. During his term as GM of the Viceroy Anguilla (now The Four Seasons Anguilla), he oversaw the launch and operations of the $550 million flagship property. Jeff also regionally managed the Viceroy Palm Springs in California, and in 2009 led the opening of the Viceroy in Aspen/Snowmass, the company's first ski resort. Jeff’s experience also includes nine years with Four Seasons’ Hotels & Resorts starting in 1992 at The Regent Beverly Wilshire where he started as a dishwasher while attending UCLA. He was an integral part of the management at Four Seasons, Boston, where he helped achieve the property’s recognition as the only Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel in New England in 1999. 

Jeff’s passion is mentorship and giving back to the community, starting 20 years ago as a charter member of the Four Seasons Diversity Task Force. He galvanized both the religious communities and local Government and led the war on guns and gang violence in the Caribbean after a young mentee of his fell victim in a drive-by shooting. He has been involved in charitable foundations for RocNation Sports, and an Executive Board Member for the Josh Norman Foundation and the Kyle and Marissa Van Noy Valor Foundation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdavid/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg

Emily is a 15-yearveteran of the hospitality industry with extensive experience in operations and marketing with particular skill in branding, marketing, and communications. She has worked with major brands and independent hotels. Much of her focus has been on full-service, lifestyle properties. In the boutique and lifestyle space, Emily has developed branding, written service training programs, and launched marketing programs. She has helped to successfully brand, open, and ramp more than a dozen hotels across the country from Florida to California. Emily is the Founder & CEO of PenDailey Consulting which offers branding, marketing, and sustainability services or business in the hospitality, tourism, and wellness spaces.

She holds her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, is a Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer, and is a participant in the Castell Hospitality Women's Leadership program. She is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

In addition to her lifestyle of hospitality, Emily is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certified instructor. She is also and avid gardener, and visual artist with particular interest in conservation and sustainability. She lives in Florida with her husband, golden retriever, cats, and chickens. When she is not working Emily loves to travel, read, garden, raise animals, practice yoga, cook, and paint. She spends much of her spare time outdoors and at the beach.

The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/empendailey/

Welcome to the travel leader podcast. I'm your host, Rachel Vandenberg. On our show, I interview and connect with leaders in our industry, what has shaped them, successes, failures, and everything in between. On today's show, I'm celebrating our first 10 episodes and reflecting on the leadership lessons from our first interviews. Before we start, I want to let you know about the travel leader community. Every month, I'll be gathering a group of travel leaders to continue the conversation about leadership. This is a group for travel leaders looking to share, reflect and grow their leadership competencies with the support of myself as a trained leadership coach. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com In this episode, our host Rachel Vandenberg celebrates the first 10 episodes of The Travel Leader Podcast and reflects on the leadership themes that emerged from her interviews with hospitality and travel leaders.

Many of her guests first felt like a leader when they were very young. They noticed that people looked to them for guidance in experiences like sports or school activities. A number of guests also mentioned that they felt like a leader when someone entrusted them with an important task and validated their capabilites.

Rachel wasn't completely surprised that a number of the leaders had faced some form of adversity. Whether it was learning to speak English and being the first to graduate from college like Ana Connolly, being left by a spouse with nothing like Elaine Macy or losing a job like Michael Maxwell, those experiences were overcome and each of the persevered.

While its not often mentioned as a key leadership trait, many of Rachel's guests talked about how they express leadership by caring for the people they work with and demonstrating their care deliberately. Through the conversations, a deeper theme emerged that revealed that caring isn't just about saying what people want to hear, but its also holding people to a high standard, acting with candor and being truthful.

Finally, it was wonderful to hear how many leaders are driven by a deeper purpose and vision to contribute to something beyond themselves.

Sheree is an accomplished and well-respected business owner who has devoted her entire career to hospitality and food management. She received a degree in Business from Merrimack College and her Culinary Arts degree from Newbury College. Sheree worked for the Marriott Corporation from 1978 to 1998, ultimately serving as Vice President of Quality Control in their New York headquarters. In 1981, she became the first woman to serve as a General Manager of a Marriott property worldwide. Sheree represented Marriott in many countries and was a turnaround specialist for properties in need of management consulting.

In 2006, Sheree opened Cruiseport Gloucester, a highly successful conference and function facility. In 2009, she added Seaport Grille Restaurant, adjacent to Cruiseport, which has been thriving since. Sheree is also the Owner of Gloucester Marine Terminal, one of only three private Homeland Security Ports in the United States. Gloucester Marine Terminal is a Mega Dock servicing the Cruise, Ferry, Mega Yacht, and Freight Industry. Berthed at the Terminal is the ship called the Beauport Cruiseline that plays host to many wedding and event functions and features luncheon and dinner cruises in Gloucester harbor.

Sheree worked to restore the area at Pavilion Beach in Gloucester by bringing the 94-room Beauport Hotel to the harbor. Celebrating the ambience of the working waterfront, the boutique hotel embodies the historical significance and charm of the area. It is also home to the largest meeting and conference venue on Cape Ann. Located on the lobby level of Beauport Hotel Gloucester is 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar, which offers an oceanfront deck showcasing New England coastal dining at its best. Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar, opened its doors in 2017 in the new Boston Landing neighborhood in Brighton, MA and is the latest of Sheree’s properties within the Beauport Hospitality Group. Located at the previous site of Brighton Station, Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar offers a mix of modern and classic New England cuisine as well as unique craft cocktails.

Sheree is continually looking for opportunities to help organizations that promote positive change and who better the lives of those who live and work in the region. She is extremely active in a number of civic and charitable groups and is particularly generous – with both her time and resources - to the Cape Ann community.

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

Dr. Bryan K. Williams is a keynote speaker, consultant, and author, who is a noted authority on service excellence and leadership effectiveness. His passion is to serve others so they may better serve the world. Over the past several years, Bryan has provided training and consulting expertise to hundreds of organizations in over 20 industries ranging from Healthcare to Luxury Hotels. His work with clients has taken him throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Bryan’s keynote speeches and seminars have helped organizations create a memorable service experience for their customers. He is a high-energy, dynamic speaker, who educates and inspires professionals to be consistently exceptional. Bryan is the founder of the BW Leadership Academy, the Strong Leader Institute and the Manager Skills Workshop. He is also a bestselling author of six books, including Work Like You Own It, How to Serve a VIP, Lift Me Higher, and the Inspiration Collection.

Prior to this current venture, Bryan worked with the world-renowned Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for over ten years. In his last role, he was the Global Corporate Director of Training & Organizational Effectiveness. Before his corporate assignment, he held over 17 roles with the Ritz-Carlton, beginning as a busboy at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Dr. Williams has earned degrees in Business Administration, Hotel/Restaurant Management, and Adult Education,including a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership.

Bryan was a member of the Board of Examiners for the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The Baldrige program administers the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which is the highest recognition that a U.S. organization can achieve for performance excellence. It is awarded annually by the President of the United States to businesses from all sectors.

Bryan lives with his wife and two children in the Washington DC Metro Area _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

For 15 years, up until 2019, Elaine was Executive VP of Preferred Hotels and Resorts. She built the sales team in 5 years from $32 million to $100 million in group sales. She worked in development and hotel retention as well as major events. During her time at Preferred she managed the events team and the sales team.

In 2020 Elaine and Penny Wing joined forces and opened Reiimagine to provide sales support services to independent luxury boutique hotels, and utilize Penny's exclusive “Brojure” product to provide dynamic, live, digital marketing content as an additional service. Reiimagine’s objective is non-commission based representation that gives clients access to an exclusive collection of unique 5-star independent boutique properties.

Learn more about Elaine Macy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-macy-4a97493/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

Elle Rustique is the founder of Tip Brightly, a cashless tipping platform. Learn more about Elle at https://www.linkedin.com/in/erustique/ and her company https://tipbrightly.com/. 

The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism.  Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

Michael Maxwell joined Blue Orbit as a Partner in 2014 and has worked with Ray Camillo on various projects and in other businesses since 1994. Michael has over 36 years of hospitality operations and senior management level experience at some of America’s most celebrated and successful restaurant companies.

Michael graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University in 1981 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. His passion for restaurants flourished while working with Peasant Restaurants where he helped grow their Mick’s expansion chain as their Training Director.

Michael’s fun and fresh approach to restaurant operations served him well over his career as he worked with companies like Concentrics, The Fifth Group, Rio Bravo/Chevy’s, Cinebistro, Metrotainment, Rare Hospitality, Legal Seafood, and eatZi’s Market & Bakery, holding positions as District Manager, Director of Training, Operating Partner and General Manager. He has opened over 30 restaurants and implemented countless training and continuing educations programs.

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism.  Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/

Evan is an award-winning Hospitality Headhunter with Gecko Hospitality and specializes in full-service, permanent placement recruiting for hotels, resorts, private clubs, event management companies, and private estates in the New England, New York, and New Jersey Metro markets.

Evan’s award-winning Northeast Recruiting Team creates a strategic partnership with clients and a personalized relationship with candidates throughout the search process; resulting in the “right” fit for both parties. We apply a grounded and balanced approach to recruiting, paired with an analytical method specific to our client’s needs.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-kaplan-cpc-13253138/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is brought to you by The Travel Leader, a travel content, leadership and coaching initiative for leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism.  Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com. Follow The Travel Leader at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-travel-leader and our host and founder Rachel Vandenberg at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/ 

Ana Connolly is a Senior Director of Revenue and Costing for Vantage Deluxe World Travel.  She has over 18 years of hospitality experience, including Panama and multiple U.S. markets. Obtaining her B.A. in Tourism from Universidad de Panama, and a Master’s of Science in Management from Emmanuel College. Currently obtaining a certificate on Google Data Analytics.

She started her career at Gamboa Rainforest Resort in Panama City as a tour guide and hospitality desk attendant for U.S. incentive groups. She continued her career at Sonesta Hotel Boston/Cambridge as a reservation agent, and group coordinator. In 2013 she started her career on revenue management working for multiple franchise Hilton brand hotels and multiple markets, holding position for multiple Doubletree hotels in Boston, Hiltons and Embassy Suite in D.C. She worked her way up to multiple positions as assistant revenue manager, revenue analyst, Director of revenue Strategy, Director of Revenue Management, and today as Complex Director of Revenue management for Hilton manage hotels. Managing through the years close to $85 million dollar in hotel room revenues.

When not at work, Ana enjoys playing soccer, traveling and spending time with her family, her husband Daniel and kids, Diego and Valentina.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-connolly-msm-b5162951/

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The Travel Leader Podcast is a production brought to you by PEAK Leadership Coaching - a leadership coaching firm dedicated to partnering with travel, hospitality and tourism leaders to increase awareness, build confidence, improve leadership competencies and reach their PEAK potential.

https://www.peakinspiringtransformation.com/

Join the Travel Leader Community to continue the discussion and growth on leadership in the travel industry.  

https://www.peakinspiringtransformation.com/the-travel-leader-community.html

Leah recently founded the Jane Hotel Group, a dedicated hospitality investment company based out of  the Midwest focusing on limited-service and extended-stay hotel acquisitions. Prior to forming Jane Hotel Group, Leah held executive and senior leadership roles with Cushman & Wakefield's Hospitality and Gaming Valuation and Advisory Group and HVS. Over a 14-year consulting career she valued various hospitality assets and land in excess of $12 billion. In addition to her valuation and advisory experience, she has nearly 7 years of operational experience in the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and theme parks. Leah is an adamant supporter of hospitality education through her involvement with the Washington State Alumni Association and historically as a guest lecturer at the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona, as well as with the Castell@College program through the American Hotel and Lodging Association. She also serves on the Rising Leaders Board of the non-profit PEARLS for Teen Girls. Although born in Seattle, Washington, Leah spent a large time of her childhood living in Frankfurt, Germany. Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Business Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Washington State University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahdmurphy/

In this first full length episode of the Travel Leader Podcast, I asked fellow coach and consultant Debby Jewesson to interview me to introduce the podcast and talk about why I started it. Debby was the perfect choice as she has a history in the hospitality space as the founder of Branching Out Events a floral design and event production company. 

Today, Debby is a Personal Coach & Business Consultant who specializes in working with ambitious female entrepreneurs. She helps them slow down, step away from the daily grind and figure out what they want most. Above all, she helps Clients find greater clarity and focus, so they can gain the momentum they need to achieve their goals and start living a more fulfilling life!

Debby is a graduate of Coach U, the industry’s leading global provider of coach training programs. Since 2020, Debby has completed over 150 hours of intensive coach training courses and has logged over 440 hours of one-on-one coaching. Her programs and services are available to women worldwide.

http://branchingoutevents.com/

https://www.therootsgroupcoaching.com/

In this short trailer episode we introduce the Travel Leader Podcast. 

I’ve caught the podcast bug! After being a guest on several wonderful travel industry podcasts, I’m starting my own podcast dedicated to leadership in the travel industry. Starting this podcast comes from a genuine place of building relationships and learning from the industry’s top leaders while also providing space for these leaders to reflect on their leadership and connect with our listeners and other guests.

​The Travel Leader Podcast is dedicated to elevating the voices of leaders in travel and hospitality. We connect travel and hospitality leaders to one another through authentic conversations. Listeners will hear about leadership in the industry focusing on what makes our leaders who they are and how they are impacting the future of travel and hospitality.

www.peakinspiringtranformation.com/podcasts

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmvandenberg/