What is your favorite travel memory?
When I think back to my favorite travel memories, one in particular stands out. I was traveling with a group of my classmates who were also studying with me in Strasbourg, France. We had decided to spend our spring break in Madrid and Malaga Spain. One night in Madrid, I decided to go on a walk alone. I've always enjoyed wandering the streets of big cities, and the idea that you never know what is just around the corner always appealed to me. So, as I walked down the beautiful streets of Madrid, gazing at the beautiful architecture, I happened upon a public square. The square was gorgeous. There were performers dancing and playing with twinkling lights that mimicked the stars in the sky, and cafe and restaurants that lined the borders of the square. I decided at that moment to sit, have a glass of wine, a few tapas, and to just take in the scenery. At that moment, I found myself truly happy. I wasn't worried about what time I should get back to my hostel, or even what was happening on Facebook. I was truly living in the moment, and I will cherish that memory forever.
Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?
One of my favorite trips was a trip to Capetown, South Africa. The primary reasons this trip stands out to me is because during the trip my expectations of Capetown were completely and utterly exceeded. From pictures online I could tell that Capetown was a beautiful city. The city is on the water, engulfed by mountains, and is surrounded by wineries. As a lover of the outdoors and wine, I was very pleased to learn all of this during my stay. In addition, I also love great food. Capetown has a very established and growing food scene. Needless to say, I ate very well during this trip.
In my opinion, one of the most overrated destinations is Cancun, Mexico.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
One of the biggest factors in being a successful company is understanding that your people are your biggest asset. Ensuring that you have the right people and that you are investing in their growth are critical to the success of the individual and of the collective.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Most recently I have had the opportunity to step in a growth role as the manager of ALU's Marketing team. In this role I have been able to grow my leadership skills in different ways. First, I have been able to focus on the development of my team. This is important to me because I strongly believe in the investment in the growth of the people you work with, as mentioned in my previous question. Ultimately, the growth of the individual aids in the growth of the collective. Secondly, I am able to direct and execute the strategy of the Marketing team. Seeing that vision come to life has also led to significant growth in my self-confidence.