Kristina Boyce is the senior vice president of operations at Ensemble Travel. She describes herself as a “big thinker who can execute on small details.” Boyce 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 just finished “My Brilliant Friend,” by Elena Ferrante, and loved every second of it.
  2. What do you love most about the travel and hospitality industry?
    The people, hands-down. We’re all very privileged to work in an industry that’s so directly tied to a shared personal passion — to explore the world — and there’s something so unique in the people that attracts.
  3. What’s something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    I’ve been in the travel industry for almost 20 years, but I did take a one-year break to work for Canada’s nuclear regulator. It was a fascinating year of learning a new industry, new skills, and gaining new perspectives. I’m grateful for what this opportunity taught me.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Understanding that every decision you make, no matter how small it may feel, will have a trickle-down effect on both process and people.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    I think recognition through small gestures of gratitude is very important. Yes, it’s an expectation that people do their job and perform, however, taking 60 seconds to thank team members for specific achievements, big and small, goes a long way.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    All of our female Ensemble members who are business owners. To make the decision to start a business from scratch or to invest in one, to steer it during good times and bad, to take that kind of personal risk — I’m in awe of the talent and bravery it takes to make that happen.
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    The future of the industry is bright! I think people value our planet and our ability to explore it through travel more than ever and they have new-found value in the professionals who can help them seamlessly plan their vacations.
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Kindness and work ethic; everything else can be taught.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    This past year has been the busiest of my career as I worked on a team of skilled individuals to integrate Ensemble during an acquisition/transition year and to stand up new programming, hire new talent, build on existing programs and relationships, plan and execute new events, and so much more. Through that process I learned that I could do more than I sometimes think I’m capable of and that I need to shed those “imposter syndrome” feelings that creep up from time to time.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    “Revisionist History.” I could listen to Malcolm Gladwell all day!
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    Nothing is more important to me than my family.
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    I’ve been working from home since before the pandemic, so I’m very used to that environment. That said, in-person collaboration is impossible to fully replicate, so I’m in the hybrid camp.
  14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    This is an impossible question! My favorite destinations are so closely tied to the people I travelled with and experiences we shared together. My honeymoon trekking the Inca Trail, playing with my kids on the beach in Guadeloupe, multi-gen cruises and trips to Disney with the grandparents and my two beautiful daughters. Then there are those extra special spots that have stayed with me like Botswana and Japan. I get very anxious if I don’t have a trip booked.
  15. What’s a top item on your bucket list?
    I’d love to go to the Arctic.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Reading is my personal escape. I always have a book on the go, and friends and family re-energize me.
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
    I’m not sure I have any single “big” accomplishment to tout. Right now, I’m very proud of the team we’ve built in Ensemble this past year. It was a huge challenge to recruit, retain and build the best of the best, but we did it! Most of my accomplishments are in large part a result of who I surround myself with. Both professionally and personally, I’m surrounded by brilliant, kind and energetic people who uplift me and enable me to be successful. I hope I do the same for them.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    My two pieces of advice are to lead with kindness and to learn how to set boundaries.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    I wake up to early morning cuddles from my five- and eight-year-olds, and I feel very lucky to have that as my alarm clock.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    I’m so excited to be part of a network whose mission is to unite and empower female leaders. I look forward to connecting with fellow members, to learning from them, and to finding mechanisms to meaningfully support one another.

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