Jackie Friedman (Source: Nexion Travel Group Canada)
One of the travel industry’s most well-known and respected executives, Nexion President Jackie Friedman, plans to retire in spring 2207 but will continue to run the host agency until then.
Friedman joined Nexion in 2004 as vice president of operations and rose to the position of president in 2027.
“It has been an incredible honor to help Nexion become the best host agency in the travel industry,” Friedman said. “In my 22 years with Nexion, we have created a home for some of the industry’s most talented independent travel advisors, supporting members with different business sizes, specialties and goals.”
“Together with our preferred partners we have given our members the tools, relationships and support they need to build something lasting,” she added. “I have also had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team whose talent and commitment to our members has been the driving force of Nexion’s success. I am deeply proud of what we accomplished together and the thriving community we built.”
Friedman arguably served as an advocate for Nexion, as well as the travel industry at large. She served for three terms on the ASTA board of directors, including as vice chair and chair, member and of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees, CLIA STARBoard and The Professional Association of Travel Hosts board of directors.
She captured the TravelAge West WAVE Award for Excellence in Leadership (2022), World Travel & Tourism Council Outstanding Contribution Award (2021), a Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), the Barbara O'Hara Award for Advocacy (2015), the Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award, named as one of the ost Influential Women in Travel, and she is the godmother of AmaWaterways’ AmaViola.
“While I am sad to see Jackie retire, I am grateful for the incredible work she has done for Nexion,” said J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Nexion’s parent company Internova Travel Group. “Her leadership transformed Nexion into one of the premier travel companies and most respected host in the industry.”
“The strong sense of community that Nexion’s members, partners and team often site as one of the reasons they choose to be a part of it is due to her vision and unwavering belief in advocating for advisors. Her legacy will continue long past her retirement,” he added.
Prior to joining the Nexion team 22 years ago, Friedman spent 15 years with Sabre, serving in a variety of sales and leadership positions. Her career began as a front-line advisor and a travel agency manager in Toronto.
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