Member Spotlight: Gail Frazer, SVP, Sales & Distribution -- U.S. & Canada, Marriott International

This week’s Member Spotlight features Gail Frazer, Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution for the U.S. & Canada at Marriott International. Gail shares insights on leadership, hospitality and the lessons she’s learned throughout her career, along with personal reflections on wellness, travel and the joys of supporting others.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
“Outlive” by Peter Attia.

What do you love most about the industry?
At its core, hospitality is about creating memorable experiences and making people feel welcome, comfortable and valued. Every day offers the chance to positively impact someone’s journey, celebrate milestones and turn ordinary moments into lifelong memories. We get paid to make people feel at home in places they’ve never been. That’s a pretty great job description!

What is something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
I am maniacal about wellness and fitness and have completed numerous marathons and triathlons.

What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
Remembering that I have earned the seat and that the job isn’t to have all the answers – it’s much better to ask questions and build a team that can answer them together.

What are your nonnegotiables when it comes to work‑life balance?
Weekends are for recharging, not rescheduling. And self-care (in my case, Sundays) is a key part of being your best physically and mentally, at home and at work!

What woman inspires you right now and why?
Indra Nooyi – strategic, empathetic and fearless about reinventing the playbook. She reminds me that success and values aren’t mutually exclusive.

What is one industry trend you’re closely tracking and why?
I’m closely tracking how AI is transforming the sales buying process. AI is making it possible to personalize customer interactions, automate routine tasks, and deliver real-time insights – helping sales teams anticipate needs and build stronger relationships. It’s changing the way we connect with customers and drive results.

What is one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
Evidence of grit and grace. Show me a time you solved a messy problem, owned it and still sent a thank‑you note.

What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
I’ve discovered that my greatest fulfillment comes from supporting others’ growth. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing talent flourish – watching someone gain confidence, embrace new challenges and realize their potential.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Manage the moments and tell your story. Big outcomes are just a lot of small moments handled well.

What values are most important to you as a leader?
Integrity, curiosity, accountability and generosity. Do the right thing, ask why, own the result, share the credit.

What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
I’m allergic to “that’s how we’ve always done it.” If there’s a smarter path – not just change for change’s sake – we need to find it and have a little fun doing it.

What’s a tip you have for productively leading a hybrid team?
Make in‑person time about collaboration, coaching and customer impact; keep status checks asynchronous.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
Ischia, Italy – sun‑soaked, sea‑breezy, little English spoken and totally unpretentious. Thermal springs, lemon groves, amazing food. It’s restorative in every sense.

What is the top item on your bucket list?
Experience new places with my husband and daughter – again and again. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child (or young adult) never gets old!

What do you do to recharge?
Yoga, Pilates, yoga… preferably on a beach.

What is your biggest accomplishment?
Building teams that win the right way – high performance, high trust and high retention – usually in an environment with significant change happening!

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Take the seat, use the mic and help grow the table. Remember those who have helped you and eagerly pay it forward.

What gets you up in the morning?
The gratefulness of good health and the excitement of a new day. The fact that I get to do the job I have…and spend time with the people in my life whom I enjoy and love.

What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel?
It’s a cross‑industry brain trust with a bias for action. It’s real…and sometimes raw… and I love that.

What’s the most important thing people should know about the industry?
Even on the toughest days, we create belonging. That never goes out of style, and we are so lucky to be in it!

Connect with Gail on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.