What inspired you to pursue a career in travel and tourism? Was there a defining moment?
I began my travel career in 1978 with Avis Rent a Car. Times were very different then, particularly for women. Career opportunities were not as plentiful, and many of the benefits and professional development opportunities we take for granted today were not commonly offered to women.
Avis was a wonderful place to begin my career. They provided computer training at a time when computers were still relatively new to the workplace, along with a good job and benefits that were not always readily available to women. That experience opened my eyes to the possibilities within the travel industry and gave me a strong foundation for what would become a lifelong career.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have that opportunity. What started as a job in 1978 became the beginning of an incredible journey in travel—one that has continued to evolve, challenge me, and bring me opportunities I could never have imagined when I first walked through the doors at Avis.
Can you share a moment in your career when you realized, “This is exactly what I’m meant to do”?
When I returned to the workforce as a young mother of twins, I became a Travel Advisor. It was then that I discovered how much I truly loved helping people create memorable experiences.
There was something incredibly rewarding about seeing the joy and excitement on a client’s face when they booked their vacation. Even more special was hearing their stories when they returned—the amazing places they had visited, the things they had seen, and the memories they had created.
Knowing that I had played a part in making someone’s life a little happier, giving them something to look forward to, and helping them create memories with the people they loved gave me an incredible sense of purpose and satisfaction. That was when I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
How has your journey evolved since graduating from The Travel Institute?
While working as a District Sales Manager for SuperClubs, I continued to invest in my professional development and graduated from The Travel Institute. What followed was a plethora of life-altering experiences that shaped my career and expanded my understanding of every facet of the travel industry.
I moved to the consortium TravelSavers, where I had the opportunity to teach Travel Advisors how to increase their revenue, grow their businesses, and effectively market themselves. Wanting to return to field sales, I broadened my horizons with Central Holidays, selling FIT and escorted tours and gaining valuable experience in another segment of the travel industry.
My next chapter was with AmaWaterways, where I spent 10 wonderful years. It was an incredibly rewarding period of my career, and I was honored to receive Top Producer awards year after year. During these times, I was also recognized as a Top Supplier Sales Representative by Travel Weekly five times.
After retiring from AmaWaterways, I thought I had reached the end of my professional journey. Then came an opportunity I simply couldn’t resist. I was invited to return to the industry as Head of Sales, North America for Poseidon Expeditions.
Coming out of retirement has been one of the most exciting chapters of my career. At Poseidon Expeditions, we have implemented strategic sales and marketing initiatives that have resulted in unprecedented growth. It has been incredibly gratifying to take everything I have learned throughout my career and put it to work building something I truly believe in.
After nearly five decades in the travel industry, I can honestly say that I am still learning, still growing, and still excited about what comes next.
What’s your favorite part about helping others experience the world through travel?
My favorite part of the travel industry has always been witnessing the joy and happiness that people experience as a result of something I helped create. Whether it is helping a client discover a destination they have always dreamed of visiting, celebrating a milestone, or simply giving them something wonderful to look forward to, knowing that my guidance and expertise contributed to those memories is incredibly rewarding.
For me, travel has never been just about selling a vacation. It is about creating experiences, opening people’s eyes to the world, and giving them memories that can last a lifetime. Knowing that I have played even a small part in making someone’s life richer and happier is what continues to inspire me after all these years.
What’s one cultural experience that left a lasting impression on you?
The most impactful experience of my travel career was my journey to Israel. To visit the places I had heard about and learned about throughout my life was truly extraordinary. Seeing these historic and sacred sites in person gave an entirely new meaning to the stories I had known for so long.
Walking the Via Dolorosa and visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was absolutely mind-blowing. There was an overwhelming sense of history and emotion in being able to stand in places that have held such significance for thousands of years.
Throughout the journey, there were countless places and experiences that left me truly awe-inspired. It was one of those rare trips that goes far beyond sightseeing—it touches you personally and stays with you long after you return home. Israel reminded me of the incredible power of travel to connect us with history, culture, and experiences that can change the way we see the world.
What skills from The Travel Institute have made the biggest impact in your career?
I learned so much from The Travel Institute—how to truly engage with clients, how to research destinations, and how to market myself and my business effectively. But one lesson has always stayed with me: give your client three choices.
Too many choices can be overwhelming, while too few may not give the client the opportunity to find what is truly right for them. Providing three thoughtful, well-researched options allows you to guide the client while still giving them the freedom to make the decision that feels best for them.
Most importantly, I learned that you must be thorough, truthful, and accurate in everything you do. Honesty and integrity have always been the foundation of my career. I believe clients trust us with some of the most important moments of their lives, and that trust is something I have never taken lightly.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their travel industry journey?
My advice to a new Travel Advisor is simple: always be honest and conduct yourself with integrity in everything you do. Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets, and trust is the foundation of lasting relationships with your clients.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged by setbacks or mistakes. Learn from them, keep moving forward, and never give up. I believe the travel industry is one of the most resilient industries there is.
Over the course of my career, I have witnessed the loss of airline commissions, the travel industry bankruptcies of the 1990s, hurricanes, 9/11, and most recently, COVID-19. We have been tested time and time again. There are moments when you wonder how the industry will recover—but somehow, we always do.
We get knocked down, we dust ourselves off, and we come back stronger. That resilience is one of the things I love most about this industry. If you are passionate about travel, believe in yourself, treat people honestly, and stay committed through the difficult times, there is an incredible career waiting for you.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in an industry that’s constantly changing?
I stay inspired by the incredible joy that travel brings to people’s lives. Every destination offers something new to discover, and every experience has the potential to create a lasting memory.
I also embrace change because change brings opportunity. Throughout my career, the travel industry has constantly evolved, and each change has challenged me to learn something new, adapt, and grow. After nearly five decades in this industry, I am still curious, still learning, and still excited about what is around the next corner.
For me, that is the magic of travel—it is never the same twice. There is always a new destination to discover, a new experience to share, and something new to learn.
Are there any mentors or peers in the industry who’ve deeply influenced your path?
Lourdes Garcia at Palace Resorts taught me the fundamentals of what it means to be a good BDM. She was tough, but she was also an incredible teacher. She taught me the rules of field sales, the importance of preparation, accountability, relationships, and doing the job the right way. Those lessons became an important foundation for the rest of my career.
Then there was Charles Van Elten of AmaWaterways, who was the best boss I could have ever asked for. Charles had a simple philosophy that has stayed with me: always take the high road, do what is right, work hard, treat people as though they have value, and respect the company and its rules. Somehow, he made all of that look effortless.
Charles was not only my boss; he was my mentor, an inspiration, and ultimately my friend. The lessons he taught me went far beyond sales. He showed me what true leadership looks like and the importance of leading with integrity, kindness, and respect.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had both Lourdes and Charles play such important roles in my career. Their influence helped shape the professional—and the person—I became.
If you could only pack 3 items for a trip around the world, what would they be?
If I could only pack three physical items for a trip around the world, I would choose:
1. **A comfortable pair of walking shoes** – There is no better way to experience a destination than getting out and exploring it, and comfortable feet are essential!
2. **A lightweight, versatile scarf or wrap** – It can dress up an outfit, keep you warm on a plane or cool evening, and is useful in places where more modest dress is appropriate.
3. **A good camera or smartphone** – I would want to capture the people, places, unexpected moments, and incredible experiences along the way. After all, the memories are what make travel priceless.
What’s one place on your travel bucket list that you haven’t crossed off yet?
Antarctica is the one place I have always longed to see but have not yet had the good fortune to experience. It is almost ironic that I work for Poseidon Expeditions, a company that specializes in selling Antarctica, and I see and hear about this extraordinary destination every day.
I have heard countless stories, seen the incredible photographs, and watched travelers return completely transformed by their experiences. Yet, somehow, Antarctica remains the missing piece in my own travel story.
I cannot wait for the day I finally set foot on the seventh continent. I know that when that moment comes, it will be incredibly special—not only because I will finally experience Antarctica for myself, but because after spending so much of my career helping others discover the world, I will finally be standing in one of the most extraordinary places on Earth.
