Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Tue October 28, 2025
Kendall O’Malley, Backroads (Photo Credit: Kendall O'Malley)
Bio
Kendall O’Malley is Business Development Manager at Backroads, where she builds global and regional partnerships that drive advisor success. Formerly a Certified Travel Associate and founder of Terra Nova Travel, she brings entrepreneurial vision and hospitality expertise.
With a track record of tripling revenue, Kendall is passionate about growth, connection, and shaping meaningful travel experiences.
She’s made a difference in the hospitality community by focusing on connection, collaboration, training, and mentorship. At Backroads, she partners closely with agencies to help advisors feel confident selling active travel, often opening new opportunities for them to grow their business.
In her previous roles, she guided her team and clients through the pandemic with resilience and care. O’Malley is especially proud of mentoring younger associates and training new hires, ensuring the next generation of travel professionals feels supported, inspired, and equipped to succeed.
Kendall is 36 years old.
"Receiving an award for doing what you love is profoundly gratifying. From an early age, I understood the power of travel. Sharing cultures, ideas, and perspectives helps us grow into the best versions of ourselves. Travel has shaped who I am, and helping others in this industry discover that same sense of wonder and connection brings me immense joy. It’s an honor to be recognized among so many talented professionals shaping the future of travel."
Industry References
“It is my privilege to recommend Kendall O’Malley for the 2025 TravelPulse 40 Under 40,” said Alicia Kjeldgaard, Senior Manager, Sales & Guest Services, Backroads. “Kendall is not only an outstanding member of our Travel Advisor team at Backroads but also a rising leader whose contributions exemplify the very qualities your award seeks to honor.
“Kendall has been instrumental in elevating our Travel Advisor program. She combines exceptional customer service with a clear focus on results, consistently ensuring that advisors and their clients receive the highest level of care. Her ability to anticipate needs, resolve complex challenges, and deliver seamless solutions has deepened advisor loyalty and driven measurable increases in sales revenue.
“Beyond her client-facing success, Kendall stands out as a connector and innovator. She cultivates meaningful relationships with advisors across consortia and agencies, forging partnerships that translate into long-term growth for both Backroads and our partners. She also brings forward fresh, thoughtful ideas that have helped us streamline operations, expand outreach, and keep our program evolving in a competitive landscape.
“Kendall O’Malley is precisely the type of young professional who is shaping the future of travel. Her talent, vision, and dedication make her a standout candidate, and I am confident she will continue to contribute in ways that strengthen our industry for years to come,” finished Kjeldgaard.
“Having had the privilege of working with Kendall both as her manager and as a colleague for more than 5 years, I have seen firsthand the rare combination of talent, work ethic, and vision that she brings to the travel industry,” said Ian R. Mosley.
“Kendall stands out as a natural leader who brings people together. She has an extraordinary ability to listen, understand, and respond to the needs of our travel advisor partners in a way that not only strengthens business outcomes but also builds authentic trust and loyalty. In an industry where relationships are everything, Kendall is the type of professional who ensures that those relationships are lasting, meaningful, and mutually beneficial.
“What impresses me most about Kendall is her genuine passion for people. She is not motivated by recognition or competition but by the success of those around her. That authenticity inspires confidence in advisors and colleagues alike, and it is why she has quickly become a respected voice within our industry. Kendall embodies the very spirit of the TravelPulse 40 Under 40. She is already a leader today, and her trajectory shows that she will continue to shape and elevate the future of travel in the years ahead,” ended Mosley.
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