Member Spotlight: Katie Kania, Sr. Director – Field Sales, North America, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

This week’s Women Leading Travel member spotlight features Katie Kania, Sr. Director – Field Sales, North America at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Read on to learn more about her leadership journey, inspirations and insights.

What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
I am an avid reader, and you can typically find me with at least one or two books on the go. Right now, I am on a crime and thriller kick. I just finished "The Secret of Secrets" by Dan Brown, and I am about to dive into "The Black Wolf" by Louise Penny. In both cases, these books are part of long-running series, and I love reading about these familiar characters.

What do you love most about the industry?
Hands down, the people! We are so fortunate to work in the industry we are in, and I believe we truly have the best people. No matter what type of role you hold in the travel industry, everyone is so driven, dedicated and always ready to have a bit of fun. We are all working toward helping travelers have phenomenal vacation experiences. For some people, they may be embarking on a bucket-list trip, while for others they are frequent travelers returning to a much-loved destination or exploring somewhere new for the first time. I don’t think it escapes anyone in this industry that we get to play a part in their experience.

What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
I feel significant responsibility toward all women who work in my organization and within the industry. This is such a female-dominated industry, and I think it is critical that we continue to build a strong community of potential leaders, mentors and trailblazers. I am a big proponent of women helping women succeed and all of us lifting each other up. I am very cognizant that I am helping pave the way for some -- and that is not a responsibility I take lightly.

What are your non-negotiables when it comes to work–life balance?
This is small, but silencing notifications outside of work hours. Being constantly connected in this day and age has rapidly become the expectation. We live in a digital world and are constantly bombarded by news updates, social media notifications and more. For me, I like to be very intentional about being connected so I can be present in all facets of my life.

Outside of that, I try to spend as much time outdoors as I can. I’m an avid horseback rider, and my time with my horse has always been my place of peace as well as an indicator of balance. I make time for that -- always.

What woman inspires you right now and why?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible women. One of recent note is my grandmother. She recently passed, and we have been reflecting on her life -- she lived to nearly 100. She lived an incredible, full life and never let doubt or seemingly impossible odds stop her. Immigrating to a new country with her husband and three small children after World War II, she was able to build a life for her family and overcome the odds. When I think of the grit and tenacity it takes to give up everything you know for the hope of more, it’s truly inspiring.

What is one industry trend you’re closely tracking and why?
Multigenerational travel -- specifically for cruise guests. Cruising is such an easy and inclusive way to travel that it truly encompasses the travel styles of everyone in a multi-gen family. The cruise industry is in a remarkable period of growth, and we are seeing more and more families try this vacation style for the first time. People are prioritizing connection and time with their loved ones, and I love the idea of bringing the whole family along to vacation together. Cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line is such an amazing way to travel, and you can really curate your experience.

What is one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
The hard skills needed to be successful in a role are important; however, I prioritize looking for soft skills in an interview. Above all, I find you cannot teach people to care, and I like to see a level of investment from a candidate. Do they really want this role? How do they plan to be successful? Those are always the questions I am looking to understand in an interview.

What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
I can be very go-go-go, and this year I’ve been reminded how important balance is. Slowing down is important -- life doesn’t wait for you. I think I will always move quickly; however, I’ve taken time this year to really learn to slow down and prioritize being present in the moment. It is an ongoing challenge!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
This is a tough one. There is so much great advice that has been shared with me. If I had to pick just one, it would be “win or learn” -- everything you do is an opportunity to do it well or learn from how you did it. There is no such thing as failure; it’s all about how you react to and learn from events, scenarios and opportunities in your life.

What values are most important to you as a leader?
Follow-through, consistency, and communication are the values I consider most important as a leader. I am a strong believer in open and honest communication, and nothing is more important to an organization than follow-through. Ask questions, do what you say you are going to do, and be intentional and consistent about how you show up for your team.

What’s a tip you have for productively leading a hybrid team?
The team I lead is remote, and we are spread across North America. We prioritize connection -- meeting biweekly with the full team and regionally once a week. A couple of times a year, we get together. We are salespeople, and we thrive on shared success and learn so much from each other each time we gather.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
My favorite place I’ve traveled to is South Africa. My husband and I just returned from a safari in September, and it was life-changing. The ability to see the animals up close and simply watch their interactions is a humbling experience. I also cannot heap enough praise on South African hospitality, as everyone we spoke to was so friendly and proud of their country. Everyone truly went above and beyond to ensure our trip was amazing.

What is the top item on your bucket list?
Well, it used to be going on a safari! My bucket list is ever-evolving. Next for me, I believe, is returning to an old favorite -- Bermuda. Norwegian Cruise Line sails there from New York, and it is a first-class experience from start to finish. There is nothing more exciting than leaving from downtown New York and sailing past that iconic skyline. Once you are in Bermuda, those pink sand beaches are the perfect place to relax.

What do you do to recharge?
I read, as well as spend time with my husband and my animals. I am pretty simple!

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Never let the word “no” slow you down. “No” sometimes means “just not right now,” or it might be a “yes,” just different from how you initially envisioned it. Be an advocate for yourself, work hard, volunteer for new opportunities, and expand your scope and knowledge. Ultimately, be tenacious about achieving your own success—and then lead others how you would like to be led.
Find excellent mentors who will help lift you up, and a community of people you are proud to be part of. Above all, be kind—the world always needs more of that.

What gets you up in the morning?
I am the definition of a morning person, and if I ever dare try to sleep in, my dog takes it upon himself to wake me up. But in all seriousness, I am grateful for every day we get.

What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
The community. The community that has been built so far -- and continues to be built -- is so inspiring. It’s a privilege to be part of this group.

Be sure to connect with Katie on LinkedIn to follow her journey and insights in the travel industry.