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In honor of International Women’s Day, we reached out to some women on staff and asked them to share with us. Who are women who inspire you? What are some quotes that speak to you about womanhood? What are some of your experiences as a woman in the travel industry?
Here are some of the things they shared:
Alisia Apostolou, Sr. Director North America Marketing
"Do not live someone else's life and someone else's idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you." - Viola Davis
Nicole Diebold, Image Campaign Manager
"Do not wait for someone else to come and speak for you. It's you who can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai
As a woman, I know it's my job to advocate for myself, to use my voice and to be someone who opens doors for others. As a mother, being a woman and a leader -- setting a benchmark for what women can do and how we must be treated is an honor and responsibility I am thankful for every single day. We have, we will and we can change the world.
Kellie Petersen, Client Care Retail Manager
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn't be that women are the exception." Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ashley Williams, Senior Graphic Designer
My grandmother has made one of the biggest impacts in my life; she took me on my first international trip to China when I was in high school, and from there we went on to take several international guided tours. These experiences nurtured my love for travel, and furthermore, my intrigue in guided travel. Her curiosity, love to explore and zest for life has been infused into my values and I will forever be grateful for her.
Bethany Sculley, Personal Assistant to CEO
“Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling the good within you, praising, appreciating, blessing, and being grateful. Make it your life commitment, and you will stand in utter awe of what happens in your life.” Rhonda Byrne
Julie Kelly, Supplier Relationship Manager
My daily advice my daughters is be kind and be you. “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” - Brene Brown
Amelia Sugerman, Sr. Manager Strategic Communications
As a working mom in the travel industry, there are days that can certainly be a juggling act. I feel incredibly blessed to work for an organization that supports a work-life balance that comes from the leadership level. Covid has taught us that we really can make it all work even if there never seem to be enough hours in the day and I am incredibly fortunate to spread my love of travel to my son, who has already visited 7 states and can’t wait for his first international experience!
Diana Ditto, Senior Director Product Marketing.
“You have to live spherically - in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm - and things will come your way.” Federico Fellini
Alex Shaked, Copywriter
Dr. Marijean Levering was many things to me: a professor, a mentor, a friend, and found family, to name a few. Truly, I am the person I am today because of her impact on my life. She was a theatre professor who exemplified the type of person I wanted to be: A woman who can handle pressure with grace, a woman who works hard for the things that she wants, and a woman who cares for others endlessly. The world lost Marijean, the human embodiment of a tour de force, to breast cancer in 2017. In the 10 years I knew her, she taught me so many things but the most important was how to ask for help. After my family had a house fire during college, she planned a small student group trip to Chicago because of me so I didn’t have to worry about not having a place to go.
I miss her deeply, but feel her with me always, and when things get tough, I think back to her mantra that got us both through so many tough moments: “Everything will be OK because it has to be.”
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President, Chief Brand & Customer Experience Officer
Maia Germain, Sr Vice President People & Culture
