Kristen Gustafson is the director of enterprise initiatives and corporate brand for Marriott Vacations Worldwide (MVW). She’s responsible for leading MVW corporate and enterprise projects and initiatives as well ongoing corporate brand activation and immersion to internal audiences. Over the past 22 years, Gustafson has held various leadership roles within the company, including sales and marketing program development and management, brand communications, and brand strategy and management. Prior to joining Marriott Vacations Worldwide, she oversaw rental marketing for Sunterra Resorts.

Gustafson 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?
    In my free time, I love to read business books. I’m currently re-reading a classic, “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek and “Think Again” by Adam Grant. Both great books.
  2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
    Make sure priorities are clear and connect regularly.
  3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
    Not speaking up when I knew we were going in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, it played out as I had expected, but voicing my concerns in the beginning could have saved us a lot of time and frustration.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Having to make hard decisions that impact people’s lives
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    Make time to connect on a personal level. Now more than ever, people need connection. Taking that extra time to check in goes a long way.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    On a personal level, my mom. She’s 81 and continues to amaze me every day. I’m also inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s life story. She was an amazing person.
  7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry?
    Travel is back! But the world and people are forever changed. I’m looking forward to innovating to deliver superior vacation experiences to the next generation of traveler.
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Cultural fit is critical. I consider how this person would fit into the team dynamics and gauge their energy, enthusiasm for collaboration, and overall social skills.
  9. What’s something that you’ve learned about yourself in the past year?
    I’m more resilient than I ever thought I was.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    9 to 5’ish with theSkimm and Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity, accountability, empathy and transparency
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I’m an introvert with a sense of humor. I listen, think and observe, which enables me to quickly connect dots and find humor in almost anything. Remember to listen to the quietest people — we help fill in the gaps that others miss.
  13. What’s one habit you adopted while working from home that you kept/would like to keep with you as you return to the office?
    I plan my day. I like to get an early start when it’s quiet so I can knock out the big stuff and then jump into my day. Sometimes the plan gets derailed, but just having one makes those pivots a lot easier.
  14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    I’m an eternal learner and optimist who is passionate about my family, the work I do, and making a difference.
  15. What’s your favorite app?
    Headspace. It’s been a game changer for me.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Sunrise walks with my dogs helps to set my intention for the day. There’s something about the quiet of the morning that’s both calming and energizing at the same time.
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
    Joining the board of directors for a nonprofit called Blessings in a Backpack. Believing in the work is one thing, but rolling up your sleeves in a new industry, helping shape the future of the organization, and seeing results has been very rewarding.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Learn, listen, keep it simple, ask for help and support each other. Everyone’s journey is different. Recognizing how you can help someone get to the next step, even if that means pointing them in a new direction, can be so valuable.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    Coffee!!! Lots of it. And those sunrise walks with the dogs.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    I love connecting with other women in the industry to hear their stories as well as finding people to add to my board of directors.

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