Spotlight on Jeannette Ross, 2021 WINiT Top 50 Women in Travel Recipient

Jeannette Ross managed travel for senior executives and partners at Kearney for 29 years before retiring at the end of 2020. She is currently using her vast industry experience and knowledge as an independent travel contractor assisting companies with their corporate travel programs.

Why is WINiT important to you?
It supports and encourages the amazing work women are doing in the travel industry. I was nominated for this recognition by one of these amazing women, Margaret Brady. As Margaret has said, we are the first responders in travel, and many recipients – like me – have spent their entire careers in travel, working hard long before we had the technology of today. The talent and skills of a good agent are invaluable and I join with WINiT in highlighting these outstanding professionals.

Who or what inspires you to continue working hard, even on the most challenging days?
Being on the corporate side of the travel industry, it’s the travelers that inspire me. I had the honor to work with Kearney for 29 years and see first-hand the dedication of the employees to their work, which required traveling 5 to 7 days a week. My goal was to ensure that travel would be as seamless and stress free as possible for them, allowing them to focus on their clients. Their gratefulness inspired me to continue working hard.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given in your career?
I had the opportunity early in my career to attend a class on phone etiquette that was so valuable. What stuck with me was to turn every “oops” into an opportunity. I have lived by that every day of my career, from being a ticket delivery agent and travel agent, to supervisor and finally as a director for Kearney. Always strive to make it better, for your clients and your peers!