Keri Burns, Central Florida FRLA Regional Director

Tell me a little bit about your background personally and professionally.

My professional background includes 15 years in non-profit association business where I worked with the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, and the Urban Land Institute. I also served as a brand ambassador and business development manager for YUM! Brands and most recently was the VP of Business Development for Ballantine Management group, where I consulted with hotels, convention centers, and special event venues on everything from food and beverage operations to show content development, as well as sales and marketing.

In my spare time, I am completing a Doctorate degree in Community Care & Counseling with a focus on the sandwich generation, and, along with two of my gal pals, I started a 501©(3) organization called LILAC (Ladies In Leadership And Community) supporting causes related to women and dedicated to creating a positive impact on the community. My husband and I have three remarkable children and three amazing rescue pups. We like to travel and enjoy going to concerts.

How did you get into hospitality? 

I got into hospitality because I needed a summer job to help pay for college and worked for RTM, Inc., a major franchise owner in the quick service market which led to other restaurant leadership roles. As my career expanded, I took a role in business development for an allied member company that supported hotels and event venues nationwide.

How did being a woman affect your professional path/path to leadership?

As a woman, I find relationship building to be my strongest asset. My ability to nurture and protect clients and customers has served me well. Knowing how to be a strong presence without being intimidating while also prioritizing the growth and development of my teams has also contributed to my success. I’ve also made choices that benefit my family whether with my time or resources, which means sometimes saying no to specific opportunities.

What qualities make a great female leader?     

Compassion, inspiration, thoughtful and mindful speech are all important attributes for a female leader. It’s also important to encourage those around you and lift others up as much as you can. You never know who you influence through your words.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

It’s a time to truly celebrate where we are today and reflect on those who helped pave the road forward. Its also a perfect time to think about the roads we can pave for future generations and to never take for granted those who came before us.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?

Having female leaders in positions of influence who serve as role models is not only vital to the career advancement of women, but it also stands to generate broader societal impacts on pay equity, changing workplace policies in ways that benefit both men and women, and attracting a more diverse workforce.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

Embrace your strengths and never underestimate your abilities. As women, we can be critical of ourselves while we should be elevating one another.

What professional, personal or community service driven accomplishments are you proud of?

Professionally, I’m proud of how FRLA impacted the industry during COVID and how we continue to work together to support the community in such a meaningful way.  Through our legislative, educational, and community involvement, we truly helped our partners and members. I am also extremely proud of LILAC, which celebrates women and women’s causes throughout Central Florida. Inspiring leadership, philanthropy, and professional development is the mission of LILAC and we work hard (and have a lot of fun) making a difference.

Is there a woman from history who you admire? Why?

Catherine Hershey has always been someone I admired. While Milton Hershey built an empire, Catherine taught him to care for others and his community. She was the force behind the Milton Hershey School which started as a home for orphaned children. Her love for children provided a safe haven for families who struggled to support their children and through her selfless dedication to children, provided free childcare services through MHS and was the driving force behind so many programs and services for at risk youth.

Chef/Owner Lindsay Autry, The Regional

Photo credit is Alissa Dragun Photography

Tell me a little bit about your background personally and professionally.

I am originally from Fayetteville, NC and grew up surrounded by food. My family had a peach orchard where we spent our summers selling peaches and homemade ice cream at a roadside stand. I started participating in cooking competitions through 4-H when I was a child and really fell in love with cooking. While attending Johnson & Wales University in Charleston and Miami, I worked in a variety of restaurants and hotels to gain experience.

How did being a woman affect your professional path/path to leadership?

I was fortunate to work under Chef Michelle Bernstein for many years early on in my career. Even though I worked for a female chef, most of the time, we were the only two women in the kitchen. As women in a kitchen, we have to establish ourselves just as anyone else. Being efficient and valuable keeps you moving in the right direction.

How do women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry?

There are many women in the hospitality industry here in South Florida, and I am so glad to see more up and coming from the next generation. There are many more women-owned operations today than even 10 years ago. I find it refreshing as I think women bring a different approach to hospitality. Not better, but different.

What qualities make a great female leader?          

A great leader, female or male, is often characterized by empathy, passion, and the ability to motivate others to reach a common goal.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is a celebration of all of the women that have paved the way for our generation and to recognize the ones that are making impacts in their respective communities currently.

Is there a woman from history who you admire? Why?

There are so many to choose from! For me, on a more micro level, I would say both of my grandmothers. They both were the first women in their families to hold a profession outside of the household and were tremendous role models for me.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?

It is important that we support each other as women to recognize that the glass ceiling isn’t as durable as it used to be.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

To make yourself valuable within your current role, and strive to be the best in what you do. Treat others kindly, as kindness gets you much further than expected because it makes you pleasant to work with. Everyone loves that!

What professional, personal or community service driven accomplishments are you proud of?

I am most proud of the relationships and mentoring that I have had the honor of contributing to the next generation of chefs. It is often a scary feeling to lose a valuable employee, but it gives me a “full circle” feeling to see my former staff go on and become executive chefs or general managers and successful in their path.

Barbara Bowden, Area Managing Director for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando

Tell me a little bit about your background personally and professionally.
Originally from St Louis, Missouri, I have loved being part of our Central Florida Hospitality Community for 38 years. I am currently serving as Area Managing Director for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, overseeing the operation of the destination’s premier and preferred hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Prior to my current position, I was recruited to a front desk position at The Peabody Orlando in 1986, where I served in various roles for 27 years, ultimately as VP/GM. I am passionate about our industry and the organizations that support it. In addition to FRLA, I serve on several community industry boards including Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Visit Orlando and UCF Rosen College.

One of the best rewards of my career was meeting my husband David when we worked together at The Buena Vista Palace 38 years ago. He is the love of my life and true partner. We have always worked together to balance family and career. We have two married children who are both living in Orlando-along with our first grandbaby-and we are so incredibly grateful to have our family close. We also have a new addition to the family: our 5-month-old Golden Retriever-Sophie.

How did being a woman affect your professional path/path to leadership?
I am fortunate that I have always worked for organizations that value inclusiveness. I have worked for organizations where I have had incredible support and mentors, both male and female. There have been times in my career, I have felt like I had to work harder than my male counterparts-particularly as a young working mother. However, I have also learned that hard work, passion and commitment does lead to success-male or female-so I am grateful for the journey I had. Overall, any challenges placed before me created a greater resolve to pave the way for others.

How did you get into hospitality?
I always dreamed of having a career in the hospitality industry. My first job in high school was at Six Flags St. Louis, where I learned the core value of the term ‘hospitality.’ I went on to study hospitality and business at Missouri State University. My freshman year I was recruited by Walt Disney World to participate in, what was called at the time, the ‘Magic Kingdom College Program.’ I spent the summer in Orlando-and fell in love with the hospitality community here. I saw terrific opportunity for a career path, and upon graduation, I immediately returned to Orlando to begin the journey.

How do women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry?
In my experience, diverse teams are the most effective teams. Additionally, studies show that women make the majority of all travel decisions-some studies indicating up to 85%. So, it certainly benefits an organization to have women involved in decisions impacting travel and hospitality.

What qualities make a great female leader?
The same qualities of any great leader: Vision, Strategic thinking, interpersonal communication, empathy, creativity, and trustworthiness.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Many women throughout history have paved the way for those of us in leadership roles today. More importantly, though, it is critical to continue forging forward so those coming in behind us can rise to even greater achievement.

Is there a woman from history or your life who you admire? Why?
My mother, Shirley Ducey. I was raised by a single working mother who valued hard work, integrity, resolve and never let her four daughters believe in limitations. She taught us that we could do anything we put our hearts into if we worked hard. She was a servant leader and directed a large non-profit organization, impacting thousands of lives over 3 decades. From her, I learned the values of passion and commitment.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?
It is important to tell the stories of women leaders to inspire other women and encourage them to use their talents to their fullest potential. These stories illuminate what is possible for any aspiring woman seeking a leadership role.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?
Love what you do, trust who you are, surround yourself with a strong, inspiring network and help others along the way. The hospitality industry holds countless opportunities for those women entering this field that have the desire to succeed.

Jodi Cross, Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast Regional Director

Marketing and Mentoring in Florida

Jodi Cross has spent the majority of her career in the hospitality industry. Before joining FRLA as Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast Regional Director in 2017, she was the Corporate Director of Marketing for Sonesta Hotels World-Wide for over a decade. Prior to that role, she was Director of Marketing for Doral Resort and PGA National Resort.

Going further back, Jodi hails from Rochester, New York. She came to Florida first for college in Miami where she studied hospitality management and decided to stay. When she entered the world of hospitality, she joined a very male-dominated atmosphere and served as one of only two women on an executive committee. It felt, at times, that she had to work harder than others, but she prided herself on doing a good job, being creative, and always towing the line with anyone else – man or woman.

In addition to her extensive background in strategic marketing, Jodi had the honor of serving for 10 years as Executive Director for The Commonwealth Institute – a female CEO mentoring non-profit whose mission is to propel women leaders in South Florida to achieve professional and personal success. In that role, she met incredible women colleagues, as well as learned from trailblazers like Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice. She appreciated those experiences and felt that it was important to pass those lessons on. Jodi believes that it is important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles because they are role models that help bootstrap other women as they rise in the ranks. “If they see someone else succeeding, it will inspire them, said Cross.

According to Jodi “Women have a natural gift of hospitality through their attention to detail and sincere desire to make people feel welcome and appreciated.” Female leaders should be genuine. “Be kind, approachable, and relatable, but be candid.” She believes in not sweating the small stuff because it can distract from the larger picture of what you’re trying to accomplish. And she has wise words for women coming up in hospitality: “Stay true to your values. Speak up for yourself and don’t let your voice be silenced.”

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to raise women up – women from all different backgrounds and levels of skills and experience. She loves to see the diversity of women being celebrated. “Despite any differences, we all share common ground.   Whether in the struggle of coming up as a woman in the business or just respecting our journey,” states Cross.

Closing Question: Is there a woman from history or your past who you admire and why?

”Without a doubt, Lois Silverman, founder of The Commonwealth Institute. She has an incredible story. She was orphaned as a young child after the death of her parents and was eventually able to receive a scholarship through her orphanage to go to nursing school. From there, she started a home health care business in Boston and eventually became the first woman to take her business public in the State of Massachusetts. She later sold her business and has an extensive history in philanthropy and her work on numerous boards where she is still trailblazing a path for others. As my boss and mentor at the TCI, I learned so much from her passion and her drive and I take her counsel with me each day I serve in Florida’s hospitality industry.”

Lois Croft, FRLA Southwest Florida Regional Director

TAKING RISKS TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN

Lois Croft, FRLA Southwest Florida Regional Director, always knew she wanted to move some place warm. Growing up in Minnesota with harsh winters will do that to you, she says. Lois was raised with 15 brothers and sisters on a farm in a small town in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. While she respects the work required on a family farm, she knew she wanted something different in her life.

To make that happen, Lois worked hard, was resourceful, and became the first of her siblings to attend college. Through a scholarship and getting a job in the intramural department of St. Cloud State University, she developed a love for coaching. She then spent 23 years working for school districts in the Community Education Department and coaching volleyball, basketball, and track.

When a Recession hit in 2010, and with temperatures getting colder, she longed for the Sunshine and a new start, so she sold everything she owned and moved with her son to Florida. Across South Florida, she got very involved with events, helping with restaurant openings, charity fundraisers, and more. Eventually she found her way to RCS, a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) and the leading provider for risk management and regulatory compliance training programs to Florida’s hospitality industry. Training was a great fit for someone with 23 years of teaching and an educational background, and she found she really loved the work. Eventually, she changed positions, though, taking on new challenges and opportunities as FRLA Regional Director for Palm Beach County and now as FRLA Southwest Florida Regional Director, where she is been since 2014.

Lois loves serving her members across Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties where she organizes fundraisers and events to support local hospitality high schools and colleges along with advocacy work for her members.

When asked how women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry, Lois noted how nice it is to have a rich diverseness in business to ensure different perspectives are not just represented but respected as well. She is encouraged to see more female leaders and owners/operators across hotels, restaurants, and suppliers.

It’s no surprise that qualities she values include being a self-starter, a go-getter, fearless, and ambitious considering the risks she took to relocate. Selling everything and moving 1,500 miles a way to start over in a new place and a new industry takes guts and someone who isn’t afraid of taking chances.

Lois believes that Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to showcase so many excellent women who have succeeded in their various paths, and she feels that it is important for that recognition to continue. Recognizing women in leadership roles, for instance, is critical because so many women have worked hard to achieve and progress. Ensuring that they are compensated and respected helps result in our collective representations and equality.

To continue that legacy on, women must also support each other. When asked what advice she would give to women coming up in hospitality, without missing a beat, she declared, “Stay true to yourself. Whatever your goals and ambitions are – go for them. Don’t feel that you can’t achieve whatever you want. If you work hard and take risks, you can make it happen.”

Closing Question: Is there a woman from history or your past that you admire and why?

“My mom. As a full time, mom and farmer, she basically ran a company without ever receiving a paycheck. She raised 16 kids, managed the finances for the home and farm businesses, cooked, cleaned, made sure we did all of our chores, and more. Despite all of her work, she still made time for life and fun too. My mom and dad played in an old-time band with polka and waltz type music. They played at most of the weddings and other celebrations around town. She taught me to follow my dreams and see my efforts through – to never give up. And I haven’t yet!”

Andrea Gonzmart, 5th Generation Owner/Operator, Columbia Restaurant Group

Five Generations of Excellence in Restaurants

Please share a little bit about your background personally and professionally. 

I was blessed to be born into the hospitality industry. I began working in my family’s restaurants when I was 10 years old, and I continued working there every summer until I graduated from the University of South Florida. I joined the company full-time in 2001.

I was the first woman to work in the kitchen at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, learning all facets of the back of the house, from the dishwasher to the grill. I went on to be an assistant manager at our Columbia Restaurants in Sand Key, St. Petersburg, and Celebration. Then, I transitioned to our corporate offices in 2004 where I was able to work alongside my father, Richard, and learn another angle of our family business.

How did being a woman affect your professional path/path to leadership?

When I began my career in the restaurant industry at the age of 22, there were very few women in my company. I was fortunate to work underneath many wonderful people, including my father, that believed in me and guided me along the way. They have taught me to be confident in my decisions and compassionate with our employees. Every day there is something new to learn, and I am always excited to find out what it is!

How do women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry?

In a once male-dominated industry, women have been able to push innovation and create experiences aimed at a broader and more inclusive audience.

What qualities make a great female leader?     

Confidence, compassion, commitment, determination

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

It is important to take time to honor those who paved the way so that we can set new goals to achieve.

Is there a woman from history who you admire? Why?

The woman I admire the most from MY history would be my grandmother, Adela Hernandez Gonzmart, who is the third generation of our family’s company. She was truly a pioneer for women in the restaurant industry, so much so that she was named to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018. She loved our restaurants as though they were her second home and loved our employees as if they were all her family. I strive to be like her every day of my life.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?

It inspires our next generation of young female leaders and recognizes those who set positive examples. Women who see leaders who look, act, and experience life like them in the industry make them feel included. It reinforces positive views of their gender and what they can achieve in the restaurant industry.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

Always have confidence in your decisions and trust your intuitions. It is also important to have compassion with your fellow employees; compassion is not a weakness, it is a quality of a strong leader.

What professional, personal or community service driven accomplishments are you proud of? 

In the fast-paced restaurant industry, it is important to find balance. I am proud of the work I do every day for our 14 restaurants, but I am also even more proud of being a mom to my 12-year-old daughter, Amelia, who represents the 6^th generation of our family business. I also think it is important to be involved in my community and give back through involvement in local boards, like the Florida Aquarium Board of Directors, Humane Society of Tampa Bay Advisory Council, University of South Florida Foundation Board of Directors, and the FRLA Board of Directors of Hillsborough County.

Nicole Chapman, FRLA Northeast Florida Regional Director and Florida Inns Director

SHOWING OTHER WOMEN – AND HER DAUGHTER – THAT IT CAN BE DONE!

Nicole Chapman has always known she wanted to work in events and hospitality. She majored in Tourism and Event Management at the University of Florida and has been in the industry ever since. She interned with the City of Jacksonville Beach, planning their summer events and was hooked. As she thought about her future, she loved engaging with others, public relations, and planning events. Sounds like the perfect fit for our industry!

Nicole worked first with her local Hotel Association and helped lead their merger with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) and became Regional Director for the Northeast Florida Chapter. Since taking on that role, she has also created the Florida Inns Chapter by merging Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns and the Superior Small Lodging Associations into FRLA to create the first statewide special interest chapter that represents small independent lodging business who have under 50 rooms.

As a young woman joining a male-heavy industry, she notes that confidence in her abilities and hard work were both key to her success. “You can’t be intimidated,” she says. She credits many professional leaders – both male and female – who believed in her, saw her talent, and helped her to grow.

She works tirelessly to promote her local FRLA members and connect them with the latest news, resources, and updates to keep their businesses thriving. COVID shuttered so many businesses in Florida – and across the nation – and Nicole was determined to advocate for Northeast Florida businesses.

Becoming a mother helped her to see her work from another important perspective – her children. Women in the workforce often struggle with the appropriate balance between family, work, and self. The hours in hospitality not being the typical 9-5 job can present significant challenges. Nicole shares a saying she once heard that is her daily motto: “There are days you will be an amazing employee, an amazing mother, and an amazing wife, but you won’t be all three in one day.” This helps her to show grace to herself as she continues to push hard to do her very best. On being a female leader in hospitality, she says, “You have to take initiative, own projects, have that entrepreneurial spirit. You have to push hard, and you have to really want it.”

Her goal is to show other women that it can be done. Hospitality is the top industry in Florida – responsible for so much economic health for the state and millions of jobs. And while she loves her work, she tells us, “At the end of the day, I want to show my daughter and future generations that there is opportunity out there if you work hard. You can have a successful job and be a mother and make a difference in the community.”

CLOSING QUESTION: What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

“Do your job and do it well. Apply your values to your work life as well. There is room for all of us at the table, and if you work hard and do the right thing, good things will come.”

Sara Malmstrom – Owner/General Manager, Sage Bistro

Don’t be afraid to try!

Tell me a little bit about your background personally and professionally.

I am a retired graduate school dean who had no aspirations to own a business, let alone a restaurant. I worked in the field of education my entire professional life, the last 23 in higher education.

How did you get into hospitality?  

I bought a restaurant to give my son, who graduated from a culinary program I had a hand in starting at Keiser University’s Melbourne campus, an opportunity to be an executive chef. Jordan had been a sous chef for two executive chefs with ownership interest in their restaurants. He had seven years in the field when I told him I was purchasing a restaurant that we could run together. He told me I was crazy and asked if I had any idea how hard it was to own a restaurant. I told him honestly that I didn’t!

How do women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry?

There are a multitude of strong women restaurateurs, owners, GMs, chefs, and many, many hoteliers. The creative energy that women bring to the field is pretty awesome.

What qualities make a great female leader?     

A female leader has to be smart, tough, and a good people person. A sense of humor and political savvy doesn’t hurt either. Men have a handle on networking and the ‘good old boy’ thing. Can we develop the ‘good old girl’ thing?!?

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to showcase what women have accomplished and cement role models for the younger generation.

Is there a woman from history who you admire? Why?

My grandmother, Ruth LeMaster. She earned a master’s degree from University of Oregon while raising two young children. That was at a time when women didn’t go to college, let alone earn graduate degrees.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?

Women need to be recognized in leadership roles to create role models for girls and to narrow the gender gap, especially in pay. The glass ceiling is real. We need to celebrate those who have cracked it so others will be able to do so even more.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

Don’t be afraid to try. It takes long hours and mental toughness, but if you aren’t afraid of hard work and risk, and if you believe in yourself, you can go far.

What professional, personal, or community service driven accomplishments are you proud of?

I am proud of creating, with my son, a successful restaurant and surviving through the crazy pandemic. I am also proud of my career in higher education and the many degree programs I was able to start and get through the accreditation process, most with perfect accreditation records. To name a few, I was responsible for starting a Master of Science in Physician Assistant, a Master of Nursing Practice, a PhD in Education, an MBA, a DBA, oh, and an AS in Culinary Arts!

Dannette Lynch, FRLA Regional Director and Director of Membership

“Appreciation is Key”

Dannette Lynch, FRLA Regional Director and Director of Membership, likes to say that she was born into the hospitality industry. Her grandparents had a restaurant in Illinois that served breakfast and lunch daily, and Dannette, all of four years old, appointed herself the greeter. If you know her at all, that shouldn’t surprise you. Dannette is one of the most welcoming people you will ever meet, and she always rolls up her sleeves to get to work.

Dannette’s path to hospitality is as extensive as it is diverse. She actually planned to go to medical school but got involved in a big community event as a volunteer. Through that engagement, she received a call to join Nike and the world of professional sports – specifically the North American Soccer League (NASL), the first professional soccer league in many U.S. cities. Through this job, she got to travel the country and the world, deepening her love of travel. And it wasn’t her only sports gig – she worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and remains a very active sports fan!

Another passion of hers is performing arts. In Pinellas County, she opened a performing arts center, Ruth Eckerd Hall, as Marketing Director and was able to get involved with bringing more culture to the region. She coordinated partnership marketing for Busch Gardens and then moved to work at the local Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she worked in hospitality education. She conducted all the trainings and hospitality certifications and served on the Pinellas Hotel Association and the Pinellas Restaurant Association, which led her to FRLA. One of many notable accomplishments was creating one of the first Super Bowl Trainings in Tampa to help educate local businesses and the NFL on how to greet visitors and excel at customer service for the influx of visitors the big game brings to town. The NFL replicated her training the next year in New Orleans because of its success – one Dannette calls a team effort.

Throughout more than 40 years working professionally in Florida’s hospitality industry, she has accomplished a great deal. In addition to her NFL training, she is incredibly proud of her work to start three Hospitality/Culinary Programs at local colleges, technical schools, and high schools. To attract students into the programs, they had to be innovative and also created scholarships to help get youth into the programs and onto the hospitality career path.  Along the way for all of her efforts, Dannette has received numerous honors, including the Key to the City of Clearwater and Tourism Person of the Year from both the City of Clearwater and Tampa Bay Beaches.

Dannette credits her dad for her achievements across male-dominated industries. “My dad always put me on equal level and insisted I did things outside of my comfort zone, whether it was learning a new skill or sport or speaking to others…I feel very fortunate that he did that,’ she says. Because of that perspective of equality and inclusiveness, she never thought about work and her professional path as women versus men. She feels incredibly lucky that it was never an obstacle for her. She says she had a tremendous amount of opportunity, proved herself, and had wonderful supervisors who helped encourage her. She adds, “When you have someone who has that kind of confidence in you, you want to perform and succeed even more for them. Through my work ethic and work quality, I definitely earned it, but having that support makes all the difference.”

And she truly believes that women make a positive impact on Florida’s hospitality industry each and every day. Hospitality comes naturally for women, she says. Being welcoming and showing sincere consideration for others are traits that make a great female leader. “Do the work,” she says. “Be strong, be flexible, and be compassionate. Appreciation is key.”

Dannette says that the trailblazing women who came before her are directly responsible for her having the opportunities she has had and she believes in paying that forward. She loves to share her knowledge and wisdom with women coming up in hospitality and gives them this advice: “Enjoy your time! There are plenty of amazing opportunities. Take advantage of them and learn as much as you can. Be kind to the wonderful people you meet along the way. The friends and colleagues you will enjoy are like no other in the hospitality industry.”

With so much to be proud of at work, she is even more proud of her family. She married her high school sweetheart and has two sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Closing question: Is there a woman from history or your life that you admire and why?

“My grandmother. She had the most inspirational work ethic. She came to America ALONE at 9 years old from Sweden. Her mother had passed away and her father had six sons and did not feel he could care well enough for her alone. She came to the U.S. to an aunt she had never met. She spoke no English and left the only world she ever knew. Despite facing those challenges, she worked hard and achieved so much. She taught herself English and became one of the first women telegraph operators. She also worked alongside my grandfather. She was one of the most independent, compassionate, and loving woman I have ever known and she inspires me every day.”

Sonny Flynn, Owner/CEO of Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, John’s Pass Rescue, and BITE Trolley

Please share a little bit about your background personally and professionally.

I was raised in the hospitality industry. My parents owned a little pizza parlor, and I started helping there once I was tall enough to reach the tables. I also found my love for cooking.

Today, I am Owner of the Historic John’s Pass Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center that has been a staple Attraction in Pinellas County for a decade, drawing thousands of excited visitors annually. Our mission focuses on wildlife preservation, animal rescue, and education.

I have dedicated myself to saving thousands of animal lives by adopting them or assisting in the relocation of unwanted pets. By educating the public through my Wildlife Education Center, my staff and I help visitors to understand the needs of certain species and what it takes to have them as pets. I believe by educating the public about the needs of certain species and which ones are good household pets and the ones that are not, will help eliminate the numbers of neglected and unwanted pets in society. Before this, I had more than 30 years of success in the tourism and hospitality industry.

My most recent adventure is BITE Trolley. More than just a transportation company, we are adding an entertainment factor, with animal ambassadors, music with students from School of Rock, and the occasional guest brewery.

How did being a woman affect your professional path/path to leadership?

Being a woman in business, I met some challenges along the way, but it was those challenges that created even more drive and determination for me to accomplish any goal I set for myself. Without those hurdles, I would not be the strong, compassionate leader I am today or have the success.

How do women positively impact Florida’s hospitality industry?

There are several women I have met along the way that have had a huge impact on the hospitality industry. They are restaurant/bar owners, general managers of large hotels, and leaders in our trade association and local chambers, to name a few. Although the hospitality industry is very competitive, women are more likely to support each other and help each other grow. They recognize strength in numbers and maintain compassion. In my opinion, the successful women dare to dream and multitask well to get it done.

What qualities make a great female leader?

Self awareness, connection, compassion, resilience, and persistence

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is important. We have overcome a great deal, but we have some more work to do for equality. To see the women of past and present recognized for accomplishments is amazing and long overdue!

Is there a woman from history who you admire? Why?

Queen Elizabeth. Under her rule, England became a major European power in politics, commerce and the arts.

Why is it important for more women to be recognized in leadership roles?

Female leaders create a more diverse workforce, generate broader societal impacts, and serve as role models. Recognizing them will benefit both men and women in career advancement, pay equity, and will aid in changing workplace policies.

What piece of advice would you give to women coming up in hospitality?

Dare to dream! In unity we all succeed! With patience and perseverance anything is possible.

What professional, personal or community service driven accomplishments are you proud of?

Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center & John’s Pass Rescue are my proudest accomplishments. It is an honor to save animals, share conservation efforts, continue education programs, and now with the farm go back to my beginning and support culinary programs.