Women's History Month Employee Spotlight: Hayley Williams

We are so proud that 77% of our employees are female. Did you know that females make up 67% of our Leadership, including 72% of Supervisors/Managers and 57% of Senior Management? That is nearly double the national averages for women in the workplace. Cheers to all the fierce, fabulous, and game-changing women across our organization that inspire us all.

As part of our Celebrating Our Remarkable Diversity (C.O.R.D.) initiative and in observance of Women’s History Month, we are shining a light on one of the remarkable women who has made a difference to our organization.

Since joining the company eight years ago, Luxury Cruise Concierge?Hayley Williams?has earned her spot in the Navigator’s Club six times. This successful wife and mother of six has also been recognized as one of Oceania Cruises Top 5 Agents worldwide and has earned a spot as one of their Top 20 agents every quarter for the past two years.

Hayley is a natural born entrepreneur and in addition to rocking it here at World Travel Holdings, she has achieved some remarkable things through various other projects and businesses. We sat down with Hayley to learn more about her and what continues to drive her. ?

Why is it important that we celebrate Women’s History Month? What does it mean to you?

It is important that we celebrate Women’s History Month because we can tend to rush through life without taking time to stop and smell the roses, as they say. Without stopping to see, appreciate, and take a moment to take in ALL that women who have gone before us have achieved, we risk overlooking their contributions. It is because of those women whose shoulders we stand on that we can universally believe that women can do anything they put their minds to. There is nothing that can stop us! Yes, there are temporary obstacles that life will bring our way, and sometimes they can be devastating. But if we take those obstacles, put them in perspective, and measure them against the hardships that women in the past have experienced, then is it truly something that can stop us, or just something that requires a new perspective and new ideas so that we too can overcome anything?

Who are some female leaders that have inspired you?

I think of the late and lovely Queen Elizabeth. She reigned for 70 years, and to think of all the things she had to overcome as a female leader over that time is incredibly impressive. When she started her reign as a young lady in her 20s, she struggled to be taken seriously in what was considered a "man's world," and her resilience has always been an inspiration. She was simply incredible, reigning with such grace that she was loved, respected, and became a true staple in the Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth gave hope to all young women growing up in what was then an oppressive society that anything could be achieved.

What is something you love about being a woman in the travel industry that you want to share with others?

Whether male or female, I love that travel gives hope and provides a path for everyone to achieve their dreams. I absolutely love that I get to help my clients visit places I never knew existed 10 years ago. It not only inspires and excites me every day, but it also excites my clients. No matter what kind of day someone is having, having something like a dream vacation to look forward to, can make everything okay. We are purveyors of hope and dreams!

Tell us about a moment in women’s history that influenced or shaped your career/life.

I would like to share a moment from my personal history that has had the greatest influence on my life. I grew up in middle-class Manchester, England, and was raised by a single mum who never let anything stop her from providing for us. She worked tirelessly, doing whatever was necessary to make ends meet, from cleaning houses to working as a barmaid in a local pub. She did it all with grace, poise, and strength. I will never forget my very first vacation, a two-week trip to Spain, which my mother saved for two years to make happen for my two brothers and me. That experience remains vivid in my mind and continues to inspire me. My Mum is the woman who made me who I am today, and the reason why I don’t make excuses and work hard every day. She led by example.