Where
were you born? In
Winnipeg, the home of Canada’s best hockey team!
How
long have you been in the business?
Since 2013 when
I joined TPI as Sales and Supplier Coordinator.
Before that I was studying international business at university and running
my own landscaping and property maintenance company.
How
old were you when your dad got into the business? About six. We
travelled a
lot when I was little. So many great memories!
How
many people are there now at TPI head office?
We are almost 50, in offices across the
country.
What’s
the best part of the job?
That’s an easy one! Working with outstanding preferred partners
and our wonderful head office team.
What
did you want to be as a kid?
A whale trainer at SeaWorld.
What
was your first ever job?
Making Pizza at a small
Italian market in Winnipeg.
What’s
the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
I’ve taken a
lot of risks, like taking a term off university to travel Down Under.
Any
guilty pleasures?
Ramen
or any kind of hot noodle soup.
What’s
your favourite airline?
I don’t have a favourite but I must say I like
what Air Canada’s doing – they’ve changed a lot and gotten out of that
unionized mentality. Their Sales Support team have been fantastic to work with.
Favourite
hotel chain?
Again, hard to pick but I must say I
have a soft spot forShangri-la.
What’s
on your tablet?
Headspace, the meditation app and EatWith, an
app that connects you to authentic food experiences with locals.
What
do people not know about you?
That I play the
drums, for fun.
When
are you happiest?
I absolutely love to cook for
family and friends, and also enjoy a good game of tennis.
What
would you tell your 20-year old self?
“Don’t be
afraid to make a decision just because you don’t know what the outcome will
be.”
Who
do you most admire in the industry?
Can’t answer that!
But I will say I’ve met many people in the industry whom I admire and who have
become friends.
What
skill or talent do you admire in someone?
People
who can speak multiple languages. I
will learn Spanish one day!
What’s
at the top of your bucket list?
I would have to say snowboarding in Japan and
touring in Southeast Asia.
Ever
had a brush with fame?
I bumped into P.K. Subban the
other day at the Shangri-la in Toronto. He mistook me for the bellman!
What
is your greatest extravagance?
Staying
in luxury hotels.
How do you stay fit when you travel? I prefer to go for a walk or a bike ride as opposed to going to the
gym.
If you could change one thing about the industry what
would it be?
Something that a lot of players in the
industry are working on: we have to better employ technology so that travel
advisors can use their time better and increase their revenue.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight,
who would it be?
(The late) Anthony Bourdain.
What
kind of car do you drive? I don’t have a car! I take Uber and public transit.
Do
you have a favourite charity?
I’ve been very
impressed by Sick Kids’ Hospital here in Toronto.
What
will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? Technology and where to focus your resources.
What
do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
Sharing the
excitement and joy of travel with my future kids!
