With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Melissa DelBuono has worked with leading global brands such as IHG and Marriott. Her work has contributed to $140 million projects for leading brands. She is currently a senior director at Travel Funders Network, a wholesale distribution company dedicated to helping hotels attain a consistent, reliable source of revenue. DelBuono is also a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about her work, travel, goals, leadership philosophies and more so you can get to know her better.

  1. What is the best book you have read recently?
    “The Art of Strategy” by Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff
  2. What do you love most about the industry?
    The best part of working in this industry is interacting with diverse people, presenting new challenges and opportunities for growth, a sense of excitement, the ability to make meaningful connections with passion, and the ability to form a community among colleagues. Working in hospitality has given me the opportunity to experience a variety of challenges and situations that has provided amazing learning opportunities to aid in not only my own growth but teaching moments to share with colleagues.
  3. What is something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    During the pandemic, a colleague and I started a nonprofit called Project Save Hospitality where I served as the CEO. We provided aid to hospitality professionals who were laid off. We provided an assortment of training, created a job board, virtual career fairs, help with household expenses, and educated companies on how valuable hospitality professional skill sets are to a variety of companies. We were able to place thousands in jobs and mentor them for growth.
  4. What is the toughest part of being in charge?
    Making tough decisions that could impact one’s life and future career.
  5. What is the best way to motivate team members?
    You can offer specific praise for their accomplishments, providing opportunities for growth and development. Most importantly, show a genuine interest in their success, encourage open communication, and support their autonomy while aligning their tasks with their interests and strengths.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    There are several amazing women that inspire me, but my mother Jean is my biggest inspiration. She taught me that demonstrating qualities such as strength, honesty, kindness, hard work, responsibility, self-awareness, and respect for others are the keys to being successful.
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    Aside from emerging technology, I believe the future of the industry will show a notable shift towards experiential travel, catering to the preferences of modern travelers seeking unique and authentic experiences.
  8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    I look for a candidate who demonstrates a genuine passion for the role and company, as well as a willingness to learn and grow professionally.
  9. What is something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    In the past year I gained a deeper understanding of my strengths, allowing me to leverage my abilities to inspire and lead effectively, while acknowledging my weaknesses, helping me to seek support, develop strategies for improvement, and gain self-awareness.
  10. What is your favorite podcast?
    There are so many amazing podcasts out there to educate listeners, but for me “Women at Work” and “HBR on Strategy” are my favorites.
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity, empathy, and vision
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    That I measure my personal success by motivation, not by accomplishments. No matter how many wins I have all I can see is what remains to be done.
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    I don’t have a preference and remain open-minded about all as there are benefits to all three. It depends on the one that fosters the most growth and collaboration for the team you’re building.
  14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    Dubrovnik, Croatia. It has such a strong passion for their culture and people. When traveling there I found the people to be welcoming and willing to share the history of their breathtaking city.
  15. What is the top item on your bucket list?
    The top item on my bucket list is to start a scholarship/mentorship program for adolescent cancer survivors.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    I listen to music, do yoga, and spend time with my loved ones.
  17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Surviving a 20-year cancer battle while still being able to achieve my goals.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Embrace your unique strengths, amplify your voice, and support one another as you pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in leadership.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    The drive to make a positive impact and to inspire others with purpose and determination.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    It’s truly an honor to be a member. I love that I’m surrounded with amazing inspirational women that I will be able to network with during my membership.

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