Susie Albin-Najera is the manager, North America leisure travel at Los Cabos Tourism Board. She’s a marketing, public relations and communications professional specializing in leisure travel in the luxury segment, as well as destination and resort marketing. Her vast industry experience includes overseeing multimillion dollar global marketing campaigns, international travel trade partnerships, and award-winning travel advisor training programs. Susie is also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions so you can get to know her better.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    The Little Book of Business Secrets That Work!” by Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz. She publishes inspirational and resourceful books and is a champion for women innovators and leaders. Also, I ran into travel expert, hospitality consultant, speaker and author Sarah Dandashy recently at a travel show and she gifted me her new book, “Hospitality From Within,” which I’m starting to read now.
  2. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career? 
    Not standing up for myself and knowing my worth.
  3. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    I’m in charge of our Los Angeles office and it can get very busy, but staying as organized as possible, making lists, strategizing and constantly communicating is how I stay focused.
  4. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    I like to motivate our team by planning outings that give us a different perspective and remind us why we do what we do. I initiated a team-building outing at the beginning of the year and it really helped us get motivated for 2022.
  5. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    Tabitha Brown inspires me. She’s a former struggling actress turned vegan chef who gained popularity on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube during the pandemic. She’s doing what she loves and offering passionate, kind, inspirational messages for everyone. She was “discovered” and now has multimillion dollar branding deals with Goli Vitamins and McCormick Spices; published a new cookbook; opened two vegan restaurants; launched her own television show (“Tab Time”); appeared on other TV shows; and as of only a few days ago, launched her own clothing and accessory line at Target. I love how multitalented she is, as well as intelligent and strategic with her brand and branding.
  6. What are you looking forward to the most for the travel and hospitality industry?
    This year is about growth, rebranding how travelers experience travel, and re-energizing travelers with more experiential, meaningful offerings.
  7. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Depends on the role, but generally I look for a willingness to learn, proactiveness and resourcefulness. Of course education, experience and personality is important.
  8. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    In order to keep motivated, I kept my routine going while working from home. It helped that I was consistent with the simple things like taking a shower, doing my hair/makeup, dressing for work (Zoom), etc. It made everything seem more like normal even though there was nothing normal about it.
  9. What’s your favorite podcast?
    As a visual learner, I prefer to watch Ted Talks on YouTube. I like to support women speakers, and after I watch a talk I share them with my girls in order to inspire them. I hope to give a Ted Talk one day (or something similar).
  10. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Vulnerability, honesty, innovation, diversity, compassion, tenacity, flexibility, and willingness to fail (but fail up).
  11. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I’m constantly creating opportunities to inspire people, especially the younger generation. As a mom of three teenagers (of whom were all enrolled in online learning for the last two years), I felt the need to create environments of activity and movement (physical and mental).
  12. What’s one habit you adopted that you kept/would like to keep with you as you return to the office?
    Being consistent
  13. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    Driven
  14. What’s your favorite app?
    Instagram
  15. What do you do to recharge?
    I practice self-care, especially with my teenage girls. That’s the best ROI. (And, of course, travel and rest when I can.)
  16. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Having kids, keeping our family together and keeping a career going. It has been the biggest challenge during the pandemic as there were times where we were all falling apart.
  17. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Keep going, don’t give up, find a way, trust yourself, trust your gut, don’t be afraid to be different from others, and keep your eye on your goals. The way to get there is to keep going.
  18. What gets you up in the morning?
    I get myself up with the sun — and coffee, of course.
  19. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    I love that this group exists and that it’s a valuable resource for guidance, advice, support and inspiration.

If you would like to become a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member or need additional information about our organization, click here.