Jenni Haines is the President and CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of J Haines Hospitality. She’s also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked Jenni a series of questions so you can get to know her better, including what she looks for when interviewing job candidates, how she motivates her current team members, and much more.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    I’ve come to realize that I love what has been dubbed the “cozy mystery.” We all know something has gone wrong and someone has died, but I don’t need to see or imagine all of the gore. (I read to escape; not to hide!) That being said, I just finished “The Dark Hours” by Michael Connelly. It’s part of the Harry Bosch series and the fourth in the series featuring Renée Ballard, a badass detective.
  2. What do you love most about the industry?
    Surprising people. Most people know exactly what to expect; but doing something unexpected, thoughtful and memorable is what creates that spark that makes an experience magical for you, your team, and your guests!
  3. What’s something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    I climbed to the top of a mountain and declared myself fearless. My life has never been the same!
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    I would say it’s maintaining the balance of boundaries, roles and relationships. I’ve worked with a lot of small teams either while managing a luxury rental chalet, facilitating workshops, or traveling to consult and train teams around the world, and I find that we become a family. Lines can get blurred when we’re in the trenches (so to speak) and then confusing when authority needs to be asserted. But by picking the right people that bring the necessary skills, temperament, maturity and fun, the lines blur less and a magical cohesion develops.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    By treating them as special as I treat my guests. They like surprises, too! Allowing them to participate in the process so that they know that they’re an integral part of the magic.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    Jonna Mendez. She’s the definition of badass. She was the chief of disguise at the CIA and a super spy during the Cold War. I met her while working on a project and she and I have remained friends. I continue to view her as a role model. She’s fierce, witty, intelligent, resourceful, creative and fearless.
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    The pendulum is swinging between the human factor and technology. I believe (hope) that when the dust settles, there will be a nice balance where the two can work seamlessly together … even complement each other: The personal touch and emotional impact of a smile with the smooth efficiency and precision of technology.
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    I look for actions over answers. I like to see if they smile at people. If they open the door for someone or offer to carry a heavy load. If they do, they move to the top of the list. If they don’t, I’m already pretty sure they’re not naturally hospitable and will be pasting on the requisite smile when we sit down to talk face to face.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    Unexpectedly, that Panda is my spirit animal — and a valuable tool in my chief happiness officer tool kit!
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Well, I love Armchair Expert (and the spin-off, Armchair and Dangerous!). Who doesn’t love Dax Shepherd?
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Empathy, integrity, consistency, reliability, honesty and fun
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I’m hard-working, enthusiastic, diligent, positive (to a fault … there are many times when I’m sure I will be voted off the island), imaginative, dependable, creative, knowledgeable, and fun! I mean why not? Especially in the travel and hospitality realm. If we and our guests aren’t having fun, something is extremely wrong!
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    I love the hybrid setup.
  14. Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    Ooh, this is a tough one. I’ve loved everywhere I’ve gone. The most surprising for me was when I went to consult in Saudi Arabia.
  15. What’s a top item on your bucket list? 
    To finish my grand adventure. I’ve climbed to the top of the Grand Teton. I’ve hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I’ve played craps at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo. Now I need to lay on the beach at Grand Cayman, cruise through history on the Grand Canal … and the rest of the Grand opportunities that await!!
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    I love to get out and walk in nature. I’m a writer so scribbling thoughts while sitting on a fallen tree overlooking any kind of view is my Zen. Or sometimes a delicious nap. That works too!
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
    Starting my own business — and being successful!! Getting from A to Z (there’s an abyss of letters in the middle!) will always be something I look back on and relish.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Go for whatever you want and do the best you can. Know that not everything will be a perfect fit, but learn from it all and keep going. Everything is building on the next so when you look back at all of the good and the bad experiences, just know they all played a part in creating who you are!
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    Knowing that I’ve created something out of nothing. Customizing a program for a client, putting the finishing touches on my keynotes to kick off my workshops, and knowing that the positive energy I put out in the universe will come back to me tenfold is invigorating.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    Being part of something special and surrounded by some of the most amazing women — people — in the industry! I can’t wait to meet and learn from them all.

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