One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received came from someone I affectionately call Mountain Jo. She told me: “Control the controllables.” It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s become a guiding principle in my work, my leadership style, and my approach to change.
 
And let’s be honest: we’re in a moment of big change. Business travel is evolving faster than ever. Technology and AI are reshaping how we work. Budgets are tight. Pressures are high. The world feels more unpredictable by the day. That’s exactly why I chose to step up and apply to be Chair of ITM. Because now is not the time to sit back. It’s time to show up and to support others in doing the same.
 
My relationship with ITM goes way back. I attended my first conference in Dublin in 2008, unsure what I’d find. What I discovered was a group of people who genuinely cared about this industry, and about each other. We came from different backgrounds, different businesses, and different job titles – but we shared a passion. I left that event knowing I’d found my community.
 
Since then, ITM has been a constant companion in my professional life. I’ve learned through it. I’ve been mentored and mentored others. I’ve built relationships that shaped my career. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Board, helping to launch our mentoring programme and championing the ITM Achievement Awards. So when the opportunity came to lead as Chair, it felt both right and necessary.
 
In my role at Omnicom Group, I work with companies of every shape and size, from global giants to agile SMEs. That gives me a unique view into what travel buyers and suppliers really need. Whether it’s compliance and corporate governance at the top end, or helping smaller businesses understand the true value of a travel programme – duty of care, cost control, simplicity – my goal is to ensure ITM remains relevant to everyone in our ecosystem.
 
But beyond all of that, what really drives me is people. One of my core beliefs is that kindness is a power. It’s not soft. It’s strong. It helps us build trust, drive change, and create a culture that welcomes new voices and new thinking. I want us to talk more and silo less. No more tech in one corner, airlines in another. Let’s work better, together.
 
If there’s a legacy I’d like to leave, it’s this: that I helped elevate the role of the travel manager; that I championed community and collaboration; and that I made people feel like being part of ITM wasn’t just a nice-to-have, but a must.
 
And one last quote I try to live by: “It’s attitude, not altitude.” Titles change. Budgets shift. The altitude goes up and down. But your mindset? That’s yours to own. And with the right one, there’s no limit to what we can do together.