This Women’s Month, Thompsons Travel is proud to celebrate the incredible women leading our teams in the corporate travel industry. From managing high-pressure schedules to guiding their teams with empathy, our female executives share practical insights on leadership, work-life balance, and mentorship.
Lameez Rass – Leadership Through Compassion
Q: How do you use empathy to lead your team, especially when managing stress, remote work, or high-pressure moments in travel delivery?
I have learnt that listening is not just a skill but to listen with understanding is a form of empathy. As leaders, when we listen to understand, we respond with compassion and focus on finding solutions amid the everyday pressures in the travel industry. I strive to take a moment and think before responding because my motto is to “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” A listening heart minimises conflict, especially when managing stress, remote teams, or high-pressure travel deliveries.
Zinhle Mahlaba – Prioritising Mindfully
Q: What are your top tips for balancing personal and professional priorities while travelling or managing travel-intensive schedules?
The key for me is staying present wherever I am – fully focused at work, but also fully present during personal moments. It’s not always perfect, but staying positive, flexible, and keeping a sense of humour really helps! Travel-intensive schedules can be demanding, but by consciously separating professional responsibilities from personal time, I ensure that neither is compromised. It’s about quality, not just quantity, of attention.
Nelda Pillay – Growing Confidence in Others
Q: Who helped shape your path in leadership – and how are you mentoring others to rise confidently in their own careers?
A: My leadership journey has been deeply influenced by the senior management at Thompsons Travel, both past and present. Throughout the years, they have consistently shaped, moulded, and encouraged not only me but many others across the organisation. They’ve provided the tools, support, and structure needed to grow; equipping us with both the foundations and the fixings to build lasting, meaningful careers.
I’ve welcomed every opportunity with eagerness and a desire to learn, and have been fortunate to be guided by truly exceptional leaders. From our retired CEO, Mary, whose visionary leadership laid the groundwork for many of us, to Sharon, our current CEO, and Priti, our dynamic COO; each of them has played a pivotal role in my professional growth.
Sharon leads with a remarkable blend of strength, clarity, and compassion. Her drive for excellence is matched by a kind and understanding leadership style that makes people feel both supported and inspired. She has a way of challenging you to be your best while still making space for your voice, your pace, and your growth. Her leadership reminds us that excellence and empathy are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they thrive together.
Priti brings strategic insight and encouragement that continuously pushes us to think bigger, act smarter, and step confidently into new challenges. Her belief in people is quietly powerful and deeply motivating.
In turn, I see it as both a responsibility and a privilege to mentor others. I lead with integrity and strive to offer the same support and openness that was so generously extended to me. I am always in my team’s corner, ready to advocate, guide, and walk alongside them as they navigate their own journeys. Whether it’s through sharing knowledge, encouragement, or simply creating space for their voices to be heard, my goal is to help them recognise their potential and rise confidently into it. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing someone grow into who they were meant to be and knowing I had a small hand in that process.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
At Thompsons Travel, Women’s Month is an opportunity to recognise the achievements, insights, and leadership of the women shaping our corporate travel teams. From leading with empathy and resilience to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Lameez, Zinhle, and Nelda exemplify the values that drive our success. Their stories remind us that leadership is as much about people as it is about strategy, and that thoughtful, compassionate guidance leads to stronger teams and better outcomes for clients.
Why Partner with Thompsons Travel
When you partner with Thompsons Travel, you’re accessing world-class corporate travel solutions guided by experienced leaders who understand both the challenges and opportunities in the industry. Our people-focused approach ensures seamless travel delivery, professional expertise, and teams that thrive under strong, empathetic leadership.
This Women’s Month, we celebrate our leaders and invite you to experience the difference thoughtful, supportive leadership makes.
