For International Women’s Day 2025, we asked some of the inspiring young women at Gray Dawes for their advice as newcomers to the industry…
Women are integral to the success of Gray Dawes. You only need to look as far as our CEO, Suzanne Horner, as proof of that fact. Her place at the helm of our organisation is only one part of her contribution to the business travel world – she holds the accolade as the first female chair of the Business Travel Association (BTA) and was named on BTN’s 25 Most Influential List in 2024.
But Suzanne is not the only inspiring woman at Gray Dawes. We asked some of the newer female members of our organisation what advice they would give to other young women looking to break into the business travel industry or forge a new career.
Grace Bullimore
“My advice to those joining the travel industry is to take every learning opportunity that is available to you. You might surprise yourself with how much you can achieve in this business”.
Emily Bennett
“Wanting to be a part of the business travel industry requires staying open to continuous learning. There’s a lot to take in, but if you take it step by step, you will soon gain confidence.”
Megan Eagland
“To succeed in the business travel industry, focus on being reliable, stay updated on travel trends, and always be ready to adapt. Building mutual connections will also go a long way!”
SUZANNE HORNER
CEO
“#IWD is a day of reflection for me. Accelerate Action is this year’s theme and the advice I would give to my younger self, or anyone new in this industry is to ‘be your best self’ every day, focus and praise yourself on what you CAN do and learn the things you CANNOT.”
“This is an amazing industry for women and there are many, many role models; find yours, interact with them and build connections; Women standing together is a force.“
Elouise Goodchild
“Embrace continuous learning, stay curious, and build strong relationships. The business travel industry is dynamic, so adaptability and networking are key to success”.
Leah Woodland
“As a graphic designer, we tend to learn a little about a lot. It has been refreshing the past year being in business travel, as I have loved being able to focus all my attention on one subject matter and grow my knowledge. My advice would be to stay current and never stop thinking innovatively; business travel is a whole world full of exciting opportunities.”
Tahina Zambrano
“After 2 years in the business travel industry, I would advise anyone who wants to forge a new career to come in with an open, adaptive mind and a lot of energy. It’s a fast-paced and dynamic role, so if you are someone who loves new challenges and interesting opportunities, this is a great industry to be in“.
WE CELEBRATE THE PIONEERING WOMEN IN TRAVEL
Women have been at the forefront of travel innovation throughout history. We explored the pioneering figures who overcame adversity and paved the way for women in the travel industry today. We also met some of the inspirational women a little closer to home, who are inspiring their colleagues and leading Gray Dawes Travel to a bright future!
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