Angela Shannon is a digital executive in the media, travel and lifestyle space, with extensive experience in operations, e-commerce, marketing, content strategy, account management, and journalism. She has been with Travelzoo for nearly 15 years. Angela 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?
    “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott
  2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a fully remote or hybrid team?
    Make it easy for the team to know, and track activity with, top target accounts and activities. So many tools make this easy. It also doesn’t hurt to make the productivity transparent to all; many people are fueled by a little competition.
  3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
    Giving more of an answer than was needed or requested — aka, saying too much when less is more.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    A manager early in my career said to me in her charming Southern drawl, “We’re not here to be liked or to be their friend. We’re here to do our job.” I didn’t love that guidance or accept it for quite some time, but I’ve grown to find a balance between doing my job and being friendly.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    Highlight the people who are excelling.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    Kamala Harris. She’s earned her many “firsts,” ensures her voice is heard, and represents and inspires many women and girls, including my young daughter and me.
  7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry in 2022?
    The opportunity to get more people traveling internationally again, which is one of the most powerful ways that we can open eyes and broaden perspectives.
  8. What do you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Passion, enthusiasm, energy
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    A daily brisk walk outside keeps me sane in these challenging times.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Smartless with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Candor and open communication
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    As my co-workers say, “This project needs an Angie.” I get stuff done and done well.
  13. What’ one habit you adopted while working from home that you kept/would like to keep with you as you return to the office?
    I traded commuting for exercise, whether a walk or workout. I intend to keep more workouts in my week, one way or the other, from three times a week pre-pandemic to five times a week now. It’s a great kick-starter for whatever the day throws at me.
  14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    I’m a Midwestern girl with a straight-talk approach; mom, wife, and Travelzooer, with a love for all things travel, live music, and red wine.
  15. What’s your favorite app?
    Google Travel
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Fill my home with music, kick back, and pour a glass of red wine
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
    Raising two children who are becoming the kind of people who can make a positive difference in this world
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Say “yes” to every opportunity so long as you’re passionate about it, willing to commit to it, and believe you can make a difference.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    I start each day with “Let’s do this”: Add value, make progress, get the job done well.
  20. How would you describe your leadership style?
    Candid and collaborative

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