First hospitality job:
I was a Museum Tour Guide at Huronia Museum and Huron Wendat Village in Midland Ontario.
Age you started working in hospitality:
19
Your inspiration to begin working in hospitality:
Meeting new people from around the world while I was an ambassador to Canada showing my hospitality.
My hospitality mentor:
Not one person, a group of individuals on a Tourism Marketing Board in Georgian Bay (Midland). I sat as a director of a board who promoted southern Georgian Bay. These other directors represented our tourism sector (hotels, attractions, cruises) I was inspired & mentored by Mary Mandley of HHP.
What are your favourite aspects of your job?
The perks of being a Hotel Manager included quarterly conferences including a trip to Las Vegas to the Choice Hotels Annual Conference where I won a Gold Award.
What has inspired you to continue your career path in hospitality?
People who work in the tourism sector have a very special energy which makes me drawn to them. No matter what part of the hospitality industry I always found great people to work with.
Advice for students interested in a career in hospitality:
Search for a mentor to guide you. Don't be shy, just ask. Take them out to lunch as a thank you from time to time. Having a mentor is invaluable.