Happy International Women’s Day! This year’s theme for the day is ‘Accelerating Action’ and we figured what better way to do that than to shine a spotlight on the incredible women of Contiki. From the female-led MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, to the many female travellers joining us across the globe, the women leading adventures and Trip Managers and those conducting everything behind the scenes – Contiki is a place where women can explore and excel.
Did you know 82% of senior leadership positions across Contiki are held by women? And 62% of our Trip Managers across Europe are women! They’re the ones manning our ships, leading our operations and marketing teams, heading up our customer care services, and ensuring that Contiki is always the fun time we promise it’ll be!
Here are the journeys of our female leaders within the business, female Trip Managers, and female travellers. We hope you’ll find some inspiration.
Image source:Contiki
Kelly Jackson, Managing Director EMEA for Contiki
“I joined Contiki 17 years ago, and it has been a career-defining journey of wanderlust. I am so lucky to work amongst so many phenomenal women at Contiki. We don’t just work together; we fix each other’s crowns, creating an atmosphere of mutual support, respect, and encouragement.”
“Many of us have been around for a long time, and the memories we have created bind us. As I reflect on our incredible team, many names come to the forefront – remarkable individuals who embody strength, wisdom, and each one a powerhouse in their own right. I cherish, and hold deep admiration and respect for these women.”
Image source:Kelly Jackson
Melissa DaSilva, Interim CEO of TTC Tour Brands
“At our core, both as a brand and also the individuals who make up our teams, we believe that travel makes better humans. We know that travelling opens your eyes to new cultures and beliefs and helps to encourage acceptance and celebration of those different than us, but it also shows us how we are more alike than not. I think that same sense of openness is pervasive within our organisation.”
“I am extremely proud to have built a team of predominantly female leaders. More than 75% of our management team in North America is women of diverse backgrounds. We have done this by creating an environment of trust and support, where everyone on the team is encouraged to engage in robust dialogue, share their vulnerabilities so we can collectively support and improve the situation at hand, and promote a healthy work/life balance.”
“If you are invited to ‘sit at the table’, it was for a reason, so use your voice. Don’t tell people what you think they want to hear, tell them your opinion, based on your knowledge of the situation. Diverse perspectives make for a better outcome, always.”
Image source:Melissa DaSilva
Tasha Hayes, Operations Director and Sustainability Officer
“I started my career with Contiki as a European Trip Manager in 2012, and after three years of leading hundreds of travellers on epic European adventures, I began my journey in Operations, taking on my current role in 2019.”
“Contiki has always felt like an inclusive and diverse place to work as the brand quite literally focuses on opening the eyes of our travellers as they discover new places, cultures, languages, and food. Our Trip Managers come from different parts of the globe and bring with them a plethora of different experiences that ultimately shape who we are as a brand, which is a beautiful thing. We make it a priority to invest in diversity training so that our team develop a more inclusive mindset and approach to how they run their trips.”
“Your career journey, and life journey, is never over, so keep cultivating knowledge and holding it close to your chest. At Contiki we never want to stop learning and that’s a message we share throughout.”
Image source:Tasha Hayes
Natasha Lawrence, Director of Product Strategy & Content
“I’m lucky enough to have one of the best jobs in the world: designing incredible trips with our product teams all around the world. As a team, we live and breathe finding the new places, experiences and stays that mean our travellers discover the very best of the destinations they visit.”
“My favourite part of my job is uncovering a new partner to work with who will deliver the Contiki magic. It could be a rooftop bar in Lisbon, an overnight cruise in the fjords of New Zealand or a safari camp in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. We are out hunting and recommending all the cool stuff, so you don’t have to!”
Image source:Natasha Lawrence
Rachel Storey, Global Brand Director and DEI Champion
“We’re passionate about Contiki being a place where anyone can feel at home, and it’s incredible to see such a high percentage of female leaders internally. I’ve had an amazing personal adventure with Contiki for over 10 years, and my journey has been shaped by the women I’ve met along the way.”
“From our global leaders who have mentored, supported, and taught me so much, to the dedicated colleagues across operations, product, media, and marketing worldwide. From the phenomenal on-road crew bringing Contiki trips to life every day and the women-led businesses around the world that I’ve had the privilege to visit – witnessing their impact firsthand has been truly inspiring.”
“And above all, the female Contiki travellers I’ve met over the years. Every day their lives are enriched by the magic of travel, just as mine was. Seeing them experience these life-changing moments at such a formative stage of life is what keeps me motivated every day.”
Image source:Rachel Storey
Vanessa Del Bel, Global Contiki Contact Centre Manager
“Contiki feels like a close-knit group, all working towards one common goal: bringing amazing experiences to our travellers. But the people are the main reason I love working here. We make up an inclusive and diverse group, with people from all over and different backgrounds coming together in our workplace, creating a warm and welcoming environment.”
“I believe this is reflected on our trips as well. My most inspiring Contiki trip (I’ve been on several) was the Kenyan Highlights, where most of the travellers were solo women, and we all felt safe and comfortable thanks to our Trip Manager and crew. It was great to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip surrounded by kind and supportive women; and returning to the office where the atmosphere is much the same.”
Image source:Vanessa Del Bel
Toni Ambler, Managing Director TTC Tour Brands Oceania
“I’ve grown with Contiki over the last 11 years from someone in my late 20s living it up in London and happy to be on a plane every second week to LA or Costa Rica, to now a Mum of 3 little girls, happily drinking red wine over a good book and in bed by 10pm. I think what’s special about a company like Contiki is that whilst you as an individual grow over the course of your career, this company also makes it its mission to grow with its talent.”
“What has inspired me most are the women I have been leaders of for the last decade. Their grit, determination, commitment, and above all, passion, has been what has inspired me and what continues to inspire me. As the next generation of leaders, they have led me to change the way I lead.”
“My three little girls at home have changed my life as well, they’ve changed how I think about women in business. I want them to grow up knowing they can be and choose to do whatever they want to do in this world, and not have to worry about compromising who they are in any way at all.”
Image source:Toni Ambler
Maria Parisi, Contiki Marketing Director
Maria was the winner of the Marketer of the Year at the 2024 Women in Travel Awards.
“I joined Contiki in 2023 and I’m fortunate to have one of the best jobs out there – leading a brilliant team to bring Contiki’s unforgettable travel experiences to life through our brand communications. My role is about distilling millions of stories into a few compelling words and visuals that inspire the next generation of travellers to jump on board. But it doesn’t stop at storytelling—marketing is deeply intertwined with product development, pricing strategies, and shaping the overall customer experience. Every decision we make ensures that Contiki remains the best way for young people to see the world. The past two years have been an absolute whirlwind!”
“Contiki is one of the few companies in our industry where female leadership isn’t the exception—it’s the norm. Our CEO, CMO, MD, and regional marketing directors are all women, representing different cultural backgrounds and generations. Beyond leadership, Contiki has always been about youth. With a workforce largely made up of 18 to 35-year-olds, the next generation plays a vital role in shaping our product and brand. This intersection of diverse perspectives—across gender, culture, and age—fuels a culture of innovation and collaboration. It ensures we’re always pushing boundaries and creating better outcomes for our teams and our travellers.”
“The female leadership at Contiki has completely reshaped how I view leadership. The way we work together by supporting one another, championing our teams, and leading with empathy has fostered an incredible culture of ambition and growth. Many women hesitate to highlight their successes or put themselves forward for recognition, but I would say be proud of your work. Confidence isn’t arrogance—it’s a key to leadership.”
“What an honour! [to win the Marketer of the Year award]. I was up against a formidable group of marketers in that category, so winning was unexpected. But more than anything, this award is a testament to the results-driven work of our team over the past year—pushing Contiki to new heights and redefining what youth travel marketing looks like.”
Image source:Maria Parisi
Rianna Le, European Trip Manager for Contiki
Rianna was the winner of Contiki’s Content Creator of the Year Award and Tour Radar’s Tour Guide of the Year Award in 2024.
“I began my journey with Contiki in 2022 where I was running trips through central-west Europe. After a successful season I was chosen to retrain and specialise in Scandinavia and the Baltics, so in 2024 I have expanded my work in these regions. Not only have I been a Trip Manager, I’ve also been a Sales Representative for Contiki, as well as an author for a number of six-two articles. This love of guiding and creating content is what led me to winning Contiki’s Content Creator of the Year Award and Tour Radar’s Tour Guide of the Year Award in 2024.”
“At Contiki, inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s ingrained into the company’s culture. Contiki has a strong focus on creating a work environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and heard. Dedicated trips that cater for people of different backgrounds like pride trips, vegan trips, sober curious trips, etc. encapsulate how the company fosters inclusivity and diversity and creates a space where people can come together and feel welcomed.”
“If you’re a young woman aspiring to have a career in travel, go for it! I had always dreamed of becoming a Trip Manager after going on an organised trip when I was younger and never thought it would be possible. But here I am now.”
Image source:Rianna Le
