Inspiration
As we begin our 6th annual planning season for Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel, I feel energized about the future of our community and event. Having five years under our belt has created an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned and accomplished and where we want to head in the future. We have a better understanding of the challenges women in our industry face and what Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel means to them.
The challenges for women in leadership are complex with both macro and micro level consequences and solutions. At a macro level, the global gender gap isn’t expected to close for another 134 years. One part of this gender gap is the representation of women in CEO level positions. For women in hospitality, this is only about one in four.
To close the gender gap, initiatives are needed at every level to address systemic level trends and policies, culturally embedded bias, and the needs of individual women. Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel is focused on the individual success of our community members. To that end, our purpose is to increase women’s power to influence and shape their leadership careers and lives.
Recent research points to the significance of “power” for women. The Center for Creative Leadership has found, for instance, that agency - the ability to take “intentional actions toward achieving a desired goal” - is a key component of women’s success in leadership. In other words, when women have and feel the power to control their destinies, they are more successful. Other factors that contribute to women’s success in leadership include authenticity, connection and wholeness.
While this research is new, these success factors have shaped the development of Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel since its founding. Accelerate was born out of my own experiences needing the tools for authentic leadership, wanting control over my career evolution, seeking a community of like-minded women and navigating the challenges of balancing my career with my personal well-being.
Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel wouldn’t be what it is without each and every woman who has participated and supported its growth over the past five years. I’m incredibly grateful that what started as a personal journey has become a valuable experience for my peers. We will continue to make it even better with your interests, goals and needs at the forefront of what we do.
We are thrilled to announce the location of our 2025 retreat at the Mill Falls at The Lake Resort in Meredith, New Hampshire from April 10-11, 2025. This picturesque lake-side experience will provide the perfect setting for an inspiring and energizing gathering.
Accelerate Women Leaders would not be what it is today without the support and contribution from our Advisory Board. I want to thank our out-going board members Heather Durant, Paige Hinkson and Ariel Taschereau as well as our continuing board members, Deborah Burns, Janet Eason, Vickie Feldman de Falco, Jackie Kosiba and Nancy Mendelson for their commitment to Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel. This year we are excited to welcome Emily Penfold Dailey, Sarah Morris and Tricia Tompkins as our newest board members. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our support team Amy Gallagher and Tonya Hammond.
We look forward to seeing you in April 2025!
-Rachel Vandenberg, Founder Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel
The challenges for women in leadership are complex with both macro and micro level consequences and solutions. At a macro level, the global gender gap isn’t expected to close for another 134 years. One part of this gender gap is the representation of women in CEO level positions. For women in hospitality, this is only about one in four.
To close the gender gap, initiatives are needed at every level to address systemic level trends and policies, culturally embedded bias, and the needs of individual women. Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel is focused on the individual success of our community members. To that end, our purpose is to increase women’s power to influence and shape their leadership careers and lives.
Recent research points to the significance of “power” for women. The Center for Creative Leadership has found, for instance, that agency - the ability to take “intentional actions toward achieving a desired goal” - is a key component of women’s success in leadership. In other words, when women have and feel the power to control their destinies, they are more successful. Other factors that contribute to women’s success in leadership include authenticity, connection and wholeness.
While this research is new, these success factors have shaped the development of Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel since its founding. Accelerate was born out of my own experiences needing the tools for authentic leadership, wanting control over my career evolution, seeking a community of like-minded women and navigating the challenges of balancing my career with my personal well-being.
Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel wouldn’t be what it is without each and every woman who has participated and supported its growth over the past five years. I’m incredibly grateful that what started as a personal journey has become a valuable experience for my peers. We will continue to make it even better with your interests, goals and needs at the forefront of what we do.
We are thrilled to announce the location of our 2025 retreat at the Mill Falls at The Lake Resort in Meredith, New Hampshire from April 10-11, 2025. This picturesque lake-side experience will provide the perfect setting for an inspiring and energizing gathering.
Accelerate Women Leaders would not be what it is today without the support and contribution from our Advisory Board. I want to thank our out-going board members Heather Durant, Paige Hinkson and Ariel Taschereau as well as our continuing board members, Deborah Burns, Janet Eason, Vickie Feldman de Falco, Jackie Kosiba and Nancy Mendelson for their commitment to Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel. This year we are excited to welcome Emily Penfold Dailey, Sarah Morris and Tricia Tompkins as our newest board members. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our support team Amy Gallagher and Tonya Hammond.
We look forward to seeing you in April 2025!
-Rachel Vandenberg, Founder Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel
