Learning About and Supporting Our Community

A delightful part of my job is collecting and reading the Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member spotlights shared in this newsletter most weeks. I enjoy learning everything from how these impressive women achieve their personal and professional goals to what they're reading these days.

The answers to "what gets you up in the morning" never disappoint. Dogs, kids, and coffee (so much coffee!) are often mentioned, along with some truly inspirational answers. Jawauna Greene, the director of brand and customer partnerships at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, says she gets up every morning because she wants to leave a legacy for her family and build generational wealth that has eluded many people of color. Millie Caballero, director of market strategy, Latin America at Priceline, says, "My daughter. She inspires me to be better than the day before and I want to be there for her to guide her and be her biggest cheerleader. Every day is a new opportunity to do just that."

When asked what is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential job candidate, Colleen Phelan, vice president of brand strategy and customer experience at Delta Vacations, said: "I tend to interview with my gut because so much about a working team — especially in creative environments like marketing — is about team chemistry. Who will bring new, fresh ideas to the table; who will collaborate best with those we already employ; who will add diversity of life experience and thought to the team; and who will both fit and flex: fit in only as they would desire to do so to blend with the team, but flex the team into new areas of growth. So for me, it’s almost always about chemistry. That’s the stuff you can’t teach."

Empathy, integrity, consistency, reliability, honesty and fun. Those are the values that are most important to Jenni Haines, president of J Haines Hospitality, when it comes to being a leader.

Jennifer Dzialo, senior vice president of supplier relations at Ensemble, said transparency and communication are the values most important to her, as we are all being asked to accomplish more with less and a team needs to truly understand what the priorities are and how they can accomplish them together.

Each spotlight is packed with authentic insight as well as fun facts (Dzialo will go to amazing lengths to avoid checking a suitcase).

To connect with these women and shine in your own spotlight feature, consider joining our membership.

As always, reach out with questions!