Leading with impact: Women in travel share their journeys
Every International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who lead, innovate, and inspire. But behind every leadership title is a story—one of courage, perseverance, and stepping up even when it feels impossible.
At Corporate Traveller, we’re grateful to work alongside incredible women who are shaping the future of business travel. This year, we’re spotlighting the journeys of Tanya LePage, Claire Courbet, Catherine Marquis, Nealy Kernoghan, and Linzi Collard, whose stories prove that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about growing, learning, and lifting others along the way.
How it started: the path to leadership
Tanya LePage – Senior Vice President, Corporate Traveller Canada
"I've always loved to travel, even as a little kid growing up in former Yugoslavia. My parents love to take us on trips locally through Europe, and I think that kind of instilled this love for travel and adventure for me from an early age."
"When I came out of high school, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do, where I wanted to commit my time, and I ended up going to travel school to learn about how to become an agent and or flight attendant. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a flight attendant, but I realized very quickly that that was not the lifestyle I wanted."
"I ended up getting into Flight Centre, which was my first job within the travel industry, and the intention wasn't to stay forever. But here I am 20 years later, my career has evolved in so many ways, and I absolutely love this industry. I can't imagine working elsewhere."
Claire Courbet – Vice President - Sales, Flight Centre Travel Group
“I’ve been very fortunate to work for Corporate Traveller for nearly 16 years. I started as a BDM, coming from the UK, not sure of the Canadian market, but through mentors and great people who surround me, I’ve really been able to flourish in my role.
I didn’t know I was going to land in this industry, but I’ve always been drawn to fast-paced environments, hard work, and I really thrive where no two days are ever the same. I get to work with some fantastic individuals each day—both men and women—who support each other, challenge each other in the right way, and push each other to become better people and better leaders every day.
For me, leadership is all about helping each other and ensuring people realize what they’re capable of before they realize it themselves. It’s about advocacy—advocating for each other and supporting each other on their leadership journeys. Being a leader means showing up for your team, helping them succeed, and leading by example. I’ll never ask my team to do something I’m not prepared to do myself. If that means jumping on the sales floor at 9 AM and hitting the phones with them, I’m always ready to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty."
Catherine Marquis – Regional Sales Leader, Corporate Traveller Canada
"I joined FCTG in 2018 as a BDM, but I quickly realized I wanted to do more. I’ve always been driven by growth—both my own and that of those around me. Along the way, I was fortunate to have incredible leaders who inspired me, and that fueled my passion for leadership. I wanted to pay it forward by mentoring and elevating others, helping them unlock their full potential. That drive has shaped my journey, leading me to where I am today."
"My background in both sports and travel naturally led me to seek a career that combined the two. The fast-paced, competitive environment of sales—where strategy, resilience, and determination matter—felt like the perfect fit. Selling travel wasn’t just a job; it was an opportunity to share my passion while helping businesses navigate their global journeys. On top of that, I love building connections, and corporate travel is all about relationships—whether it’s with clients, partners, or colleagues. Every day brings new challenges, new people, and new opportunities, which keeps me constantly engaged and motivated."
Nealy Kernoghan – America’s Talent Leader, Flight Centre Travel Group
“I’ve been with FCTG for 22 years, and my journey has been one of continuous growth, learning, and passion for people. Over the years, I’ve taken on various leadership roles that have shaped my perspective and strengthened my expertise. For the past five years, I have led the Talent Team across Canada and the USA, focusing on recruitment strategies, fostering diversity, and creating opportunities for top talent to thrive.
My path has been driven by hard work, embracing change, staying curious, and learning from incredible mentors. Along the way, I’ve taken on new challenges and adapted to each opportunity, contributing to my growth and bringing me to where I am today.”
Linzi Collard – Account Executive & Team Leader, Corporate Traveller
I began my journey with Corporate Traveller South Africa in 2012 as a Business Development Manager (BDM). Fueled by my passion for sales and leadership, I quickly worked my way up to Assistant Team Leader and, by my second year, was promoted to Team Leader, then National Sales Leader—a role I truly loved. Leading a team of ambitious sales professionals, I had the privilege of mentoring, training, and guiding them while leading from the front.
In 2018, I seized the opportunity to join the Canadian sales team as a Team Leader, embracing this new challenge with both hands. Arriving in Canada for the first time, I was struck by how vast and full of possibilities the world truly is. Thankfully, I was welcomed by an incredible team who made me feel at home from day one. From that moment on, I never looked back.
I continue to work hard, lead with passion, and stay self-driven. Sales is more than just a job to me—it’s what I love. Being part of a company that fosters growth, opportunity, and strong relationships makes every challenge exciting and rewarding.
The moments that changed everything
No leader wakes up one day feeling ready to take on a big role. Growth happens in the moments where doubt creeps in—but you take the leap anyway.
For Tanya, that moment came in her mid-20s when she was offered a leadership role overseeing 15 stores. She didn’t feel prepared, she wasn’t confident in public speaking, and she worried about how she’d be perceived. But mentors believed in her—and that push changed the course of her career.
"I was very lucky to have incredible leaders who believed in me and really inspired me to take those next steps. And even though I wasn't ready, it was the best decision that I ever made and it really shaped the future of my career and, and other opportunities that were presented to me."
Claire’s pivotal moment
"One lesson I would have liked to learn sooner is that perfection is overrated. Get comfortable being uncomfortable and making mistakes because you're going to learn from them. You're never going to feel 100% ready to take on that next role, but put your hand up. Apply for that next leadership position or even that next project. Whether you're successful or not, there are learning opportunities throughout the process."
Catherine’s pivotal moment
"Just eight months after joining the organization, I had the opportunity to apply for an assistant team leader position. At first, I struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning whether I was ready for the role. But over time, I realized that I was good at what I did—I just needed to believe it myself. The VP of Sales at the time saw my potential before I did and pushed me to strive for more. That vote of confidence was a game-changer for me and shaped how I lead today."
Nealy’s pivotal moment
A pivotal moment in my leadership journey wasn’t a single event but rather a series of experiences that pushed me to grow. Each challenge - whether leading through change, making tough decisions, or guiding a team through uncertainty - reinforced the importance of resilience, adaptability, and clear communication. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to succeed.
Linzi's pivotal moment
A pivotal moment in my leadership journey came when I was working as National Sales Leader in South Africa. During this time, I was pregnant and gave birth to a premature baby who needed me more than anything. As a driven, high-performing leader, stepping back felt unnatural at first, but I quickly realized that true leadership isn’t just about driving results—it’s also about knowing when to prioritize what truly matters.
The defining lesson for me was learning to take a step back, knowing that leadership is about empowering others rather than doing everything yourself. Stepping back to be fully present for my family was the right decision, and it reinforced my belief that opportunities will always come when the time is right. That moment shaped me not only as a leader but as a person, teaching me that strength also lies in knowing when to pause, realign, and come back stronger.
Advice to the next generation of leaders
Tanya: "I would say the biggest piece of advice I have is to take opportunities that are presented to you. Oftentimes as women, we take roles that we only feel 100% ready for. I think that's great in some ways, but also limits our opportunity for growth. And one thing that I've done throughout my career is taking opportunities that perhaps I wasn't 100% or even 80% or even 60% ready for. I really grew in those moments, and where I saw my career evolve the most is when I took those opportunities."
Claire: For me, leadership is about being your true real self. Being authentic with humility and have a sense of humour. My advice is to never take yourself too seriously—be authentically real and true to who you are.”
Catherine: "Be confident in yourself and trust the skills that you’ve built along the way. You don’t need to have every qualification checked off before stepping into a leadership role. If you’re passionate about learning and growing, you’ll figure it out. Put yourself out there, seek mentorship, and take those opportunities."
Nealy: “Believe in your abilities, trust your instincts, and never be afraid to take up space. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about learning, adapting, and embracing challenges with confidence. Surround yourself with mentors who inspire you, advocate for yourself and others, and don’t shy away from opportunities just because you don’t feel 100% ready. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, lead in a way that feels authentic to you - your voice and perspective are valuable. I’ve realized that the best leaders listen, ask questions, and trust their teams. Embracing different perspectives, allowing time for collaboration, and being open to learning leads to better decisions and stronger outcomes.”
Linzi: "I wish I had known earlier that you don’t have to have all the answers to be a great leader. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
When I first stepped into leadership, I thought I had to always be the expert, always have the perfect solution, and always be 'on.' But I’ve learned that true leadership is about empowering others, asking the right questions, and creating an environment where people feel safe to share their ideas and take ownership. It’s okay to say, 'I don’t know, but let’s figure it out together.'
The best leaders don’t just lead from the front—they lift others up, trust their team, and create space for collaboration. Once I embraced that, everything changed."
What keeps them motivated
Beyond titles and responsibilities, what truly fuels these leaders? For Tanya, it’s all about people—creating an environment where teams thrive and seeing the impact of a well-supported workplace.
"For me, besides running a successful business and us doing really well as a team, it's mainly around our high customer and staff retention and that is something I look at all the time. I think it's a reflection on the business that we operate here. We have such a high staff retention and people are happy and thriving, whether that is professionally or personally. I take a lot of pride in that. And it really motivates me to come in every day and continue to focus on evolving the business and rolling out new strategies that impact our people and our customers positively."
Claire’s motivation
"What keeps me motivated is seeing the people around me succeed, whether it's one of my team closing a big opportunity and bringing a new client on board, a new leader stepping up and putting their hand up, or even my daughter Olivia putting her socks in the laundry bin. It's these small wins along the way that make the journey really meaningful to me, and helping those people around me succeed."
Catherine’s motivation
"Success, definitely—but even more than that, seeing people grow and thrive. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone gain confidence, develop their skills, and achieve things they once thought were out of reach. Knowing I can play a small part in that journey keeps me motivated every day."
Nealy’s motivation
“What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to make an impact on people’s careers and growth. Seeing team members thrive, reach their potential, and contribute to a larger vision is incredibly rewarding. I’m also inspired by the constant challenge of evolving with the industry, finding new ways to improve, and leading teams through change. The passion, energy, and creativity of the people I work with are a constant source of inspiration for me to keep pushing forward.”
Linzi's motivation
"My family! The end.
What keeps me motivated and inspired in my role is my family—they’re my driving force, the reason I push myself every day. I’m also deeply inspired by the incredible people I work with, who challenge me and make every achievement feel that much more meaningful.
Another key motivator is the ability to write my own paycheck—I'm responsible for my own success, and that sense of autonomy drives me to continuously raise the bar. I believe in taking ownership of my journey, seizing opportunities with both hands, and never allowing myself to look for excuses or reasons to fail. For me, success is a choice, and I’m committed to making that choice every day."
Celebrating women who lead with impact
These stories are a reminder that leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about showing up, taking chances, and learning along the way.
If you’re already in a leadership role, consider mentoring someone who’s looking to grow. If you’re aspiring to lead, take action—seek out learning opportunities, connect with colleagues, and don’t be afraid to apply for roles outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when you step up and take the leap.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s continue to amplify the voices of women in leadership, support those stepping up, and create spaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.