Trust your gut and take the leap: Women in business travel share their journeys
Leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about stepping up, learning on the go, and trusting yourself, especially when the path ahead feels uncertain.
This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting five incredible women in business travel who have built careers rooted in resilience, passion, and bold decision-making. Charlene Leiss, Amanda Vining, Johanna Winscott, Mehak Hassan, and Toni Wendtmann have all taken leaps that shaped their futures, and their stories prove that leadership is about more than just climbing the ladder—it’s about believing in yourself and bringing others up with you.
Taking the first step: their journeys
Charlene Leiss – President, Flight Centre Travel Group Americas
"I didn’t set out to be in the travel business. I actually went to school and got an English degree, then moved to Vail, Colorado, with some college friends. But I had to get a real job to make my dad happy, and that meant indoors, year-round, with benefits—he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of me becoming a ski bum."
"That’s how I ended up in travel. I started booking ski packages, learned SABRE, and got a taste of what it meant to open up the world through travel. And once I got that taste, I never wanted to leave."
Amanda Vining – Global Chief Sales & Customer Officer
"I have been with the organization for seventeen wonderful years, growing and evolving both professionally and personally. My journey started with various sales and customer success roles that laid a solid foundation for my deep understanding of our clients’ needs and the nuances of this industry."
"I became president of Corporate Traveler USA when my daughter Delilah was just a nine-month-old baby. Balancing this demanding role with new motherhood was challenging, but it also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, empathy, and leading from the heart. This experience enabled me to ascend into my current position three years ago as Global Chief Sales & Customer Officer."
Johanna Winscott – Automation Support & Business Analyst
"I have been in my current role for about seven months. I started with FCTG in November 2022 with Online Customer Care, then switched over to full ticketing for Warwick for about six months before I found my total happy place with Corporate Traveler in the Mid Office Group."
"My tech experience came from my previous job, where I managed all the travel technology for a small in-house travel group for eight years, which included OBT Tool, MagnaTech, SABRE, Booking Builder, and Cornerstone. I’ve been in the travel industry for close to sixteen or seventeen years now, and I’ve always been passionate about traveling and exploring the world."
Mehak Hassan – Technical Business Analyst
"I started off as a travel consultant with Liberty Travel in June 2017. Within a year, I was promoted to assistant team leader. A couple of years down the road, I decided I wanted to move into the corporate travel world."
"Within Corporate Traveler, I have moved around in a few roles. I started off as a support agent via chat, emails, and phones for Corporate Traveler, then moved into an implementation pillar role as a technical implementation manager for a year. As soon as the technical business analyst role opened up, I went ahead for it because a lot of responsibilities are very close to a project manager, and the roles just aligned."
Toni Wendtmann – Analyst
"I didn’t actually start my career planning to be in technology. I was always in travel, then got a role at Flight Centre installing Apple computers in branches across Australia. From there, I became a support person, then helped build out the company’s tech infrastructure."
"I had an exceptional leader when I first started my helpdesk role. She led by example, worked with us on professional and personal development plans, and wanted us to achieve our goals. That still resonates with me today."
The moments that changed everything
Charlene: "Somebody actually suggested I should put my hand up for the role of running the corporate business in the USA back in 2014, and I thought they were crazy. I really knew nothing about running an overall business—I didn’t have a lot of finance experience and P&L background. But I decided to bet on myself and apply. And I got it. I wasn’t 100% ready, but nobody ever is."
Amanda: "One pivotal moment was undoubtedly when I became president of Corporate Traveler USA at just thirty years old. I had to quickly adapt to a role that demanded immense dedication and energy. It also solidified my belief that true leadership is about being in the trenches with your team and understanding their needs and challenges firsthand.
Similarly, adapting from overseeing regional teams to global ones in my current role required a significant amount of emotional evolution, as I learned to navigate diverse cultural dynamics, manage complex global strategies, and lead with increased empathy and sensitivity."
Johanna: "I was placed in my first tech role to manage all travel tech technology by my supervisor, who was always super encouraging and believed in me. That gave me confidence to tackle all these new tasks, and all the knowledge is self-taught. I love challenges and embrace them wholeheartedly, even when they’re difficult."
Mehak: "Every day we have a puzzle to solve or figure out solutions to different kinds of problems that get thrown at us. It’s a huge opportunity for me to learn, and not only do those lessons help me in my professional life, but they’ve also helped me in my personal life."
Toni: "One of the first lessons I wish I had known earlier is don’t be nervous about speaking or approaching senior leaders. They started where we are. They’ve been in our shoes. Always have confidence in what you do and know that you understand your team better than anyone else."
Advice for women in leadership
Charlene: "Nobody is 100% ready for any role. Trust your gut, bet on yourself, and take the opportunity."
Amanda: "Believe in your potential and embrace opportunities with confidence, even if they seem intimidating. Lean into your authenticity—it’s your unique perspective that will set you apart."
Johanna: "Just jump in with both feet and don’t be afraid of a challenge given the opportunity. Everyone has started somewhere at some point."
Mehak: "Find your voice. Do your research, upskill yourself, and take advantage of every resource available to you."
Toni: "Even if you don’t check every box for a job, go for it anyway. You might surprise yourself."
What keeps them motivated
Charlene: "I’d love to see more women applicants for senior leadership roles. We have so many incredible women in this company, but when you get to the highest levels, there aren’t enough. I want to help change that."
Amanda: "What keeps me motivated is the ability to make a positive impact on people’s lives—whether it’s streamlining travel for a major corporation or helping a team member achieve a significant career milestone."
Johanna: "I love my job. It keeps me engaged and learning, and I have an amazing team that makes the work even more fun."
Mehak: "I want my work skills to translate to my personal life and vice versa. That’s what keeps me moving forward."
Toni: "I stay motivated knowing my work helps my coworkers, our agents, and our customers. There are always opportunities here, and that keeps me excited for what’s next."
The future of women in travel
More women are stepping into leadership roles, but the journey doesn’t end here. Leadership isn’t only about reaching the top. It’s about lifting others as you climb. So, whether you’re stepping into a new role or paving the way for future leaders, there’s always room to grow and give back.
Here’s how you can take action today:
- Lead the way – If you're a senior leader, get involved in a mentorship program. Share your experience, open doors for others, and create opportunities for women to rise.
- Never stop learning – Take a course, sharpen your skills, or step outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when you challenge yourself.
- Leverage your network – Your company, community, or industry has resources—use them. Whether it’s technical training or soft skills like public speaking, investing in yourself pays off.
- Start the conversation – Reach out to colleagues, connect, and learn about different roles. You never know where a conversation could lead.
- Take the leap – Don’t wait until you check every box on a job description. Apply, put yourself forward, and trust that you have what it takes.
These leaders believe the key to change is mentorship, visibility, and fostering a culture where women feel empowered to take the leap.