Led by Intrepid’s Head of Partnership Megan Lowe, the discussion featured Isobel Campbell, sustainability manager for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Air New Zealand; Stacey Hill, BDM Vic/SA/Tas, Regent Seven Seas; Ashlea Bake, business manager, Blake Travel; Anoushka Kudav, sales director for NSW and NZ, Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group; and Laura Brereton, travel specialist for Helloworld Travel Golden Square.
One of the most interesting points discussed was what senior leaders can do differently to nurture the next generation.
In the world of climate sustainability, there are plenty of discussions around meeting 2050 net zero goals, but as Campbell observed, “it just sounds like this absolutely mythical future”.
“But it’s actually not that far away…in 24 years, I’ll still be younger than all the executives at Air New Zealand – so this time period does matter,” she observed.
“So I ask all the senior leaders in the room, how can we make that time period tangible so that all of those small decisions [you make now] add up and shape the future that we’ll be working in for the rest of our careers?”
In addition, Brereton encouraged senior execs to step back and turn to their younger team members for creative solutions to problems.
“They just think about things so differently than the older generations that there are a lot of things we could learn from them,” she said.
Blake revealed how she found meaning in her work after reading a letter from her late father that read, ‘shine your bright light on the word’.
“The penny dropped” for Blake when she opened her business’ first office on the Mornington Peninsula and the minute signage went up.
“After all the grief was over, I realised that legacy is so important, and just giving it your best even when times get tough, and leaving your little footprint on the world,” she recalled.
Meanwhile, the women also shared the greatest supporters of their careers.
Stacey Hill credited Phil Hoffman Travel COO Michelle Ashcroft as one of her mentors, after she helped Hill navigate her way through making a major career change.
“She’s guided me ever since, and she’s still one of my biggest supporters,” said Hill. “So Michelle Ashcroft…I absolutely love you.”
As a former scientist who decided to pivot to travel, Kudav did a shout-out to Susan Haberle and Michelle Mickan for their support throughout her career.
“I’m so fortunate and so grateful that as part of Abercrombie and Kent Travel Group, I’ve actually got two amazing leaders in the room here that continue to challenge me and encourage me and support me,” she said.
Meanwhile, Blake hopes that in the future, she will continue to be guided by a cheer squad by her side.
“I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older that success is measured by the people who are at my table and the ones who are reaching out to me and offering their support,” she said.
“If there are beautiful people around me, then I hope that that gets even better in the next 10 years.”
