Jennifer Dzialo joined Ensemble in the role of senior vice president of supplier relations in February and is responsible for establishing the company’s supplier mandate to ensure maximum value and revenue to Ensemble’s membership base. She was previously the senior vice president of partner relations at TripArc and spent 10 years at Flight Centre Travel Group, the Americas. Dzialo is also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about her past and present work, leadership philosophies, favorite podcast, and more so you can get to know her better.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    I’ve been on the road lately so have been caught up in quick beach reads (hello Nora Roberts and Barbara Freethy!) but the last book that stands out is “All the Light We Cannot See” and can’t wait to watch the Netflix adaptation this fall.
  2. What do you love most about the industry?
    The fact there is no “standard” day and the amazing opportunity to experience new cultures/cuisines and meet extraordinary people, I’ve been to over 60 countries and come away from each trip with a new found appreciation for the world around me.
  3. What is something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    Most of the people I work closely with know this but I’m a notorious night owl — I really struggle for those early flights and calls.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Understanding that you aren’t actually “in charge” but more a conductor to creating a successful strategy out of a team of unique individuals with their own specific talents and experience. Some of the best results come from listening to those around you and stepping back to let the magic happen!
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    Leading by example; I firmly believe you can’t ask anyone to do more than you yourself put into something.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    All of the amazing women that surround me in this industry constantly put me in awe, but I had the pleasure of hearing Michelle Poler (author of “Hello Fears”) speak at a recent event and her commitment to 100 Days Without Fear inspired me to reflect on my own self-growth commitment. Maybe I’ll try 100 days of waking up early – but who am I kidding, that wouldn’t last two days!
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    The sky’s the limit – we’ve all learned more in the past three years than in the 30 before it and advancing technology will serve as a support, not a replacement, to the expertise and service a true travel professional can provide. I believe ours is an industry that will continue to grow and improve, especially as the next generation of talent discovers what an amazing world awaits them.
  8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
    Passion! If you truly care about what you do and how you interact with the people around you, then the rest is learnable.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    I will go to amazing lengths to avoid checking a suitcase!
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Am I aging myself if I say I don’t listen to podcasts? Yikes! All joking aside, I’m a visual/tactile learner rather than audio so podcasts lose my attention quickly.
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Transparency and communication — we are all being asked to accomplish more with less and a team needs to truly understand what the priorities are and how we can accomplish them together.
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I’ve not lived a traditional life, and that’s OK! We all have our own hopes and dreams — don’t try to live up to someone else’s standards of happiness.
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    Hybrid — I work from Boston but still try to get to our NYC or Toronto headquarters as often as possible. International business class is by far my favorite office when I’m fortunate enough to enjoy it!
  14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    The next place I check off the list — the adventure of exploring is half the fun.
  15. What is a top item on your bucket list?
    I actually get to check this one off with a work trip as our Ensemble Top Performer event is kicking off in Copenhagen later this summer, which has been on the list for a while.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Swim/float in the ocean on a beautiful sunny day, preferably with a drink waiting for me onshore and without a visit from Jaws.
  17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Work accomplishments aside, I learned how to knit during quarantine — it was not a natural skill for me but it’s a great stress reducer and I’m beyond proud of the blankets I’ve made for friends and family.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    To have fun! The further you get in your career (regardless of gender) the more stressful it can be; sometimes you have to look around, take a breath and actually enjoy having the opportunity to leave a small change on the world.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    Coffee, lots and lots of coffee (preferably Dunkin’ Donuts hazelnut) … but also the excitement of creating change or jumping on a flight someplace new.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    Being surrounded by like-minded people who are invested in creating a better future for our industry and the next generation of female leaders.

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