The Power Play: Shaping the Future by Lifting as You Lead
Season 6, Episode 8
Featured Guest: Telesa Via, VP, Luxury & Leisure Sales at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
What does leadership look like when women confidently own their seat, use their voice and bring others with them as they rise? Telesa Via, vice president of luxury and leisure sales at Associated Luxury Hotels International, shares how mastering negotiation, leading with purpose and lifting other women along the way can create lasting impact in the hospitality industry and beyond.
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Meet Our Guest:
Heartfelt connections are at the core of Telesa Via’s leadership ethos—and she is a shining example of that philosophy brought to life. With over 20 years of experience, she has built a distinguished career leading hospitality sales, marketing and public relations, with a track record of driving results while championing causes close to her heart.
In her current role as vice president, luxury and leisure sales at Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), Telesa plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategy and direction of a newly established division dedicated to driving performance across key luxury segments, expanding market penetration and creating strategic partnerships for member hotels worldwide.
Her work is marked by high-touch engagement, innovative sales strategies and a passion for connecting clients with exceptional hospitality experiences. Throughout her career, Telesa has held senior leadership roles with some of the world’s most respected hospitality brands, including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Her breadth of experience across these global organizations has shaped her ability to operate with both a strategic vision and a deep understanding of diverse market needs.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Telesa has shared her expertise at industry events including The Exchange: A Women’s Leadership Experience, where she presented The Dynamic Dance of Sponsorship and Leadership. She has also spoken on The Art of Negotiation at a Women’s History Month event, inspiring audiences to approach leadership and business discussions with confidence and influence.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Telesa co-founded the MLC Cancer Foundation, dedicated to raising ovarian and breast cancer awareness. She also serves on the board of directors for the Cinderella Foundation; is a member of the board for AHEAD; serves on the advisory council for the FORWARD Conference hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA); the Advisory Council for Virginia State University’s Hospitality program; the Prosper Leadership Council; and the Foundation Board for MPI.
A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated, she continues to champion leadership, education and community impact. Recognized with numerous honors, including the Bill Kimpton Award—the highest sales honor with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants—and the Washington Business Journal’s Top Minority Business Leaders Award, Telesa’s impact spans both the hospitality industry and the community she serves. She earned her BA in Communications from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Washington.
Connect With Telesa:
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Instagram: @telesavia
Facebook
Website
More About Our Host:
Courtney believes that transforming past experiences into impactful conversations through raw, authentic storytelling challenges the status quo, connects people from all walks of life and results in great change for the world.
Courtney is the youngest member to have ever been elected to Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) International Board of Directors.
She is the recipient of Smart Meetings’ Entrepreneur Award, MeetingsNet’s Changemaker Award, the Association for Women in Events (AWE) Disruptor Award, the MPI Chairman’s Award and MPI RISE Award.
Named Collaborate and Connect Magazine’s 40 under 40 and a Meetings Today Trendsetter.
Recognized as one of the event industry’s most impactful change-makers, Courtney serves on the Events Industry Sexual Harassment Task Force, AWE’s Board of Directors, MPI’s Women’s Advisory Board, is a Meetings Mean Business Ambassador and is the co-founder of the award-winning movement, #MeetingsToo.
Courtney was named as a 2020 Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today.
Connect With Courtney:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram: @courtneyonstage
Twitter: @courtneyonstage
Facebook
Transcript:
Editors note: The following transcription was facilitated by AI program Otter.ai and proofed by our editors. Although it is fairly accurate, there inevitably will be some mistakes, so please consider that when reading. Thank you.
Courtney Stanley
Welcome back to Dare to Interrupt, the podcast that dives deep into the personal and professional stories of women redefining leadership in the events, hospitality and tourism industry. I'm your host, Courtney Stanley, and today's guest is a shining example of what it looks like to lead with confidence and purpose. Telesa Via, Vice President of luxury and leisure sales at associated luxury hotels International, has built an extraordinary career, shaping sales, marketing and partnerships for some of the most respected names in hospitality. But her true impact comes from the way she claims her space at the table, uses her voice to influence change and opens the door for other women to rise alongside her. In this conversation, Talisa shares how negotiation can be a powerful act of self advocacy, why owning your seat matters, and the ripple effect of lifting as you climb. Her insights will leave you feeling inspired to not only speak up, but to bring others with you on the journey, let's dive in. Welcome to the show. Talisa, how are you?
Telesa Via
I am awesome. Courtney, I am in countdown mode for my favorite season, and that is fall, so I'm ready for it to be cool, but I am great. How are you? I'm
Courtney Stanley
doing great too, and I'm a little bit in the countdown season. I have this I have a little bit of guilt, because I don't want to rush summer, because I live in Michigan and the winters can be a little bit hard. But I'm also just ready. I love fall. I'm ready for it. I also hear that fall on the east coast, where you are located, is beautiful and perfect. Is that true?
Telesa Via
It is. So I am in Washington, DC, specifically, it is truly my favorite season of the year. Spring would be second because of cherry blossoms, but there's something special about the fall and the colors, and it's just my favorite. So I'm all ready for it. But as you mentioned, I don't want to rush life away, but I do, and I'm ready for the enjoyment of what fall brings.
Courtney Stanley
Yeah, I love that. And I've actually never seen the cherry blossoms. When is, when's the best time to go? I feel like I always miss it. I see it on Instagram, and then it's over.
Telesa Via
So I you know what I'm going to do, Courtney, is that I'm going to put a reminder, and I'm going to message you, and we're going to get you to see cherry blossoms. Alright? So we're talking about April, May, but we're going to work that out and make sure that you are here, okay, and enjoy the joy DC doing that time. It is absolutely picturesque.
Courtney Stanley
Oh my gosh. Okay, I'm very excited for this. This is definitely a bucket list item, so I am. I'm down. Count me. Count me in. I'm on my flight already.
Telesa Via
All of it.
Courtney Stanley
I love it. Oh, well, I know that you have worked with some of the most respected names in hospitality, IHG Hyatt, the Ritz Carlton, and now, of course, l high looking back, what would you say is one pivotal career moment that really shaped the leader that you are today.
Telesa Via
Wow. So there are so many things that I think of when you ask me that question, Courtney, and I'm always, or try to always, be an optimist, but I will say to you, the one thing that I remember is someone who said that I would not get to a certain role, and that was VP of sales, and I was early in my career. So you know, you still figuring things out, but I will just tell you hearing those words of what I could not do, from this person's perspective, really mapped out my path of what I was going to do to make sure that that happened, and with Kimpton hotels and restaurants, basically the comment was that I would not be vice president of sales. And sometimes people don't realize the impact of words, whether for whatever reason it was coming. Why she said that? Have no idea, but those words do matter, right? And so I made it my mission to make sure that I that I did that, and I became Vice President of Sales and Marketing, vice president of sales at kimton hotels and restaurants, and boy, I looked back and smiled of success and achievement. So that was a really pivotal moment for me.
Courtney Stanley
That's huge. And that reminds me of the saying, success is the best revenge, because I'm similar to you, to Lisa, where, if somebody tells me no. It is like, I actually love it in a sick way, because it is one of the best fuel injectors that I could ever ask for. I will hit the ground running, and I will I will work, and I will get there wherever they said it was that I can't get I will get there. And there is a little part of it that's like, I'm going to prove you wrong. Like, just wait, just wait and see. But then there's another part of it, that there's a lot of gratitude in being told that you can't do something because it really does. There's something that happens, that changes within you, where you you want to see what you can do. You want to see what you can do for you. That's right.
Telesa Via
And I also think, as when you asked me the question, a couple of things that I thought about was, what will the company that I'm with at that time do to help me to get there? But at the same time, what am I going to do on my own? Because I think sometimes you depend on the company, or maybe your boss, at the moment, the environment or the training that's available, very structured training, and sometimes you have to think above and beyond that. And so I just as I was thinking about what really helped me with that pathway, and it was the pathway of clearly, of course, the bosses that I worked for them having trust and faith and belief in me, but it was also the pathway that I had developed for myself, what training was outside of, what was only given to me within the four walls of the of the company that I was with, and my connections and my ability to just Be creative. And so I just as we're talking about that story and what it did, just like you, I feel the same way. I think it's also important to be able to say that when you're given that what do you do? Do you just depend on what's been given to you, because that's a part of the job description? Or do you really create a path from a creative perspective of how you can get there, sometimes that pathway can be quicker, faster, sooner.
Courtney Stanley
I didn't have this question prepared, but this is prompting something that comes to mind. It was something I was asked recently. Talisa, why do you think there are not as many women in executive positions in our industry as there could be.
Telesa Via
So I want to there's two things that come to mind. One is, I actually did a I don't know if you've heard of the Castel report, but it's now owned by HLA. They purchased it a couple years ago, and it talks about the stats of minorities in hospitality and leaders, leadership role, and also women and we have a long way to go in the hospitality space. I was also talking to see CEOs and presidents of associations with ASAE, which is American, which is ASAE, not hospitality industry. I'll just leave that there. And 25% in the association world CEOs are women. And then you look at women in the US as CEOs, it's like 5% or less. So I just thought it's important to put that into perspective, because we're we're dealing with the same thing right across whether it's hospitality industry, whether it's association or whether it's in the United States, and what I think that we can do better, which is what I presented on my speech was called sponsor. The the dynamic dance between sponsorship and mentorship is that we have to grow together. I think sometimes, while this may seem so simple, but sometimes, as women, we grow and we're really focused on ourselves, which is important, but in my opinion, what's really important is that we're growing and we're bringing others with us, through knowledge, through constructive feedback, through opportunities, through open doors when it's the right time. And I think sometimes those things are closed and it challenges us a little bit. So that's my number one. Number two, I think sometimes we live in a space of fear of what we can't do, and statistically, men will raise their hands when they have a smaller percentage of the job description. And we, as women, we just will not apply if we're missing something. And so I think for those two reasons, there's an impact there, and it impacts why we're not present in that space as leaders. I am committed. Yesterday, I was at an event a couple of weeks ago in Boston. Met this young lady, and we talked for 30 minutes, and I think I may have mentioned this to you earlier, and she says, You know what, I want to grow and I just don't know. I don't know where to go. And so I said to her, said, You know what, get yourself and 10 of your friends, let's grab a drink, and we're going to spend an hour or two together to talk about the space and last night, that's exactly what I did, and we're looking at scheduling another one within the next month or so. So again, you don't grow just by yourself. You were gifted things, and so I believe in re gifting and turning around to make sure that you're lifting others behind you as well. So
Courtney Stanley
I very much appreciate that perspective, and that is one that I firmly believe in as well. And even in my own journey, I credit a lot of the growth that I've had to the people, men and women, who have opened doors for me along the way, who've shared knowledge, who've answered questions that I've had, who've supported me in different ways. So I'm very much on the same page with you. There one question I did have as a follow up to your second point about women experiencing maybe a certain amount of fear and therefore not raising their hands as often as men do to lean into opportunities. What do you what do you think that is? Why do you think that is, and how? How do women move past that? How do we start leaning in more?
Telesa Via
You know, I, I was doing another presentation, and we were talking about the art of negotiating. And we were talking about as as children, as young as eight years old, Courtney, our brains as women, are being formed. And you think about it, and and I had to, I just stopped and put on my memory hat to think about what I was told as a young girl and what my cousins were told as a young boy. Boys are told, Don't cry, just work through it, make it. Make it happen. Go outside and enjoy. Get all of the things right, like get tough, rough, and you'll be okay. We, as women or young girls, we were taught a little differently. We had our our kitchen sets, and nothing goes look, I had the best kitchen set. I was, but if I fail, it was, oh, you know what? You've got a boo boo and, and there's this, there's this coddling kind of a thing that happened, and not that that is wrong. But my point is, how we are raised and what we are told impact us. So young boys are more prone, even at the age of eight, to say, I don't want to do this, or to challenge the parents and the young girls, we are more likely to say, Okay, I will sit and listen and do whatever you tell me to do. So our brains are being formulated at that moment, and I think how we are raised is the beginning process of how we continue to grow and show up in our space unless we have been trained something different. And I think that it is extremely important. One of the things I we chairman, well, actually, I'm on the board for Cinderella Foundation, where we help young girls and to hear their story and how they speak of themselves, my heart sometimes break. And so you think of what was taught in that young age of eight, and then they're still living in that space as young girls, and they doubt themselves of going into college because they don't feel that they are worthwhile, or they're good enough, or they will apply to a school because they don't want to be told no. And they're like, Well, I'm just going to go to this school here, because this is the best that I think that I can do. And so I see it on an ongoing basis. And so look, I'm one person trying to make a change, but if we're all mindful of that and understanding that it's something that starts at a very young age, and as parents, how do we become aware of that and mindful so that we can impact that? So that's where I think some of that begins. And I know for myself how I was raised versus my cousin or my siblings, etcetera, and I saw the more nurturing side I was taught to kind of stay in the kitchen and stop thought, you know, just It's just different. It's different. So I know better now, and so however, I can help the next generation to be more mindful. So as a as a young girl, to be able to give them permission, right to be stronger, express themselves, stand for what they believe in, in a very respectful way. But in my opinion, it was well, my ex person said this my aunt or my what have you, and I just need to do what they have told me to do, and that's what they were taught. So I think there's there's change. If you look at some of I know my relatives today, and I look at some of these young girls, I can see a difference, but it's still there, even at a young age of eight mm,
Courtney Stanley
that speaks to the importance of mentoring being available at a younger age too. Because I think often when we look at mentoring, we're thinking of professional mentoring, you know, when we're in our 20s, 30s, 40s, whenever, but there's so much opportunity to have that kind of support at a younger age, so that when you are developing those patterns and those values and those belief systems that you have for yourself, there's just so much room for opportunity to think differently.
Telesa Via
I could not agree more with you. Courtney, so hopefully, as we continue on this path of life and think about the generations to come, we can be mindful, more mindful of that. So it's it's okay for the young boys to cry in my it's okay to strengthen and give a little bit more power to the to the young girl. And I think there needs to be a mixture of both of that. Meaning, not so boys can't cry. Girls have to be emotional. Listen to what is, what is, what is told those things are important, and it impacts us even when it comes to negotiating salaries today. I mean, I can go on and on and on about that, Courtney. So I will pause there, because, you see, I'm passionate about it, but it impacts so many things, and I will probably go back to some of these things as we continue to chat.
Courtney Stanley
No, it's actually the perfect segue, because you did mention negotiation before, and I'd love to dig into that next. How do you see negotiation as a universal leadership skill, so not just for sales professionals. And how can women in particular, strengthen that muscle?
Telesa Via
Yeah, yeah. So one is, I think just to be mindful of it. My opinion, I am a sales professional, but we grow when we negotiate, and negotiation in my my mind happens on a daily basis, in some cases, minute by minute, but from a salary perspective. So stay in that space for just a moment. About 68% of men negotiate salaries, and only 32% of women negotiate. So what does that mean? That means that women take the salary that has been given to them. They don't know if it's market, market level or not, they just accept. And men are four times more likely to negotiate the initial offer. So what happens is, long term impact, you think about those sets and then so women probably earn 8282 cents to the dollar for men. But over time, this gap even widens because of opportunities and trainings and promotions, etc, so it even grows. I also tell you a story that the first time that that I actually not negotiated, I've actually negotiated my salary, but upon stepping into a role, but the first time probably was been within the last 10 years that I asked for an increase for the first time in my career. So been in the gig doing well, and that's the first time that I've ever done that, and and I got more more money, yeah, and I'm like, Why didn't I do it before? And I just thought, going back to that young girl, those stats that I was telling you about, when our brain starts to develop, my grandmother used to tell me, though, go to college, get your good government job, get you a pension
Courtney Stanley
and then
Telesa Via
retire. That's what I was taught, and now I know better my mentors and sponsors, while it was a little delayed in why, in the time that I did, but they opened doors and kind. Conversations and things that I need to think about. I didn't even know that was the thing Courtney didn't even think because I thought, hey, I'm doing a great job. They have to see me, and they have to know my worth and my value. And that's not how the ball always bounces.
Courtney Stanley
No, it's not. And what happens when you don't feel valued?
Telesa Via
I think you're saying, what happens as an individual when you don't feel valued? And I just say, well, when, when I don't feel valued, it well, okay, going back to what I just said a few minutes ago, like someone tells me something negative, and then I, I, I, I just need that. And I keep it rolling and moving mountains based off of my goals. And so when I don't feel valued, nine times out of 10, I am going to go and have a conversation with my immediate boss nine times out of 10, and to be able to say, this is, this is, this is where I am. This is my performance, but this is, this is my perception of where things are right now. What can I do differently? Or am I misunderstanding? Or I'm at a place that this doesn't exist, so let's talk about it. But the thing with that Courtney, is that I love feedback, and I want to continue to learn, but sometimes the people on the other side do not come with that constructive feedback, so I may not always get the truth, and if that continues, then it's time for me to look at it another map or part of my journey that I need to consider, which is unfortunate, because I could have done more had we've had those conversations, and I choose to be in a space to where culture strong, productivity and success is a must, and we're working and moving together as a team. So
Courtney Stanley
in the circumstances where you did ask for more, where you negotiated your salary and you did get more, how did you feel afterward?
Telesa Via
Okay, so Courtney, as a sales professional, right? I There's adrenaline. And after each sale, like, I feel like I'm on top of the world. But this experience, because it was ultimately, look, I'm making money, right? When I make my goals and etcetera, I'm making money for someone else because I working in corporate America, but I won for myself this time. Mm hmm, Courtney, you could have that. I couldn't tell everybody, right? But in my head, I'm like, I am celebrating.
Courtney Stanley
Yes.
Telesa Via
Yes, and, and I want, and I did. I mean, we, we got together with some friends that evening and etc, not that they knew all the details they didn't need to know. But for me, I had to celebrate, because we worked so hard and and that simple thing that I did not do before I stepped into it, I moved fear out of the way, and I stepped into something that's different, and then I started doing things differently. After that, it's like, okay, how now can I be more mindful and intentional about sharing that with someone else? And so, oh, I mean, that was a whole another journey, chapter, etc, of new beginnings, so that I can share that story with others, and it's the car become a part of the conversations with the younger generation. Don't expect it, but be mindful to know that it is it is available, and we need to be mindful of it, because men are asking for it more than we are, and they're giving it and we're not. Mm, hmm, on the same frequency, it's
Courtney Stanley
so important to practice these skills, you know, especially when you're afraid. Because I think what I have learned over the years is the more that I have practiced, the things that I am intimidated by, the more confidence I developed to do it again, even if the answer is no, even if I ask for something and the answer is no, or it's not right now, or it's let's have a conversation in six months, the act of speaking up and advocating for something that I believe in, that is the work and that is the win. It
Telesa Via
is it, is it is. And when you're showing up for yourself that way, trust and believe other women are watching you on the sidelines. And I. Yeah, that is so powerful. I just mentioned to you about the young lady that I met in Boston, and I was introduced to her by a gentleman that worked in the same company that I did and worked within my region, and basically he said, you have to meet Talisa because she's a badass. And he she's like, Oh, I already know she was like, Can you please introduce me to her, as if I was anyway, I was like, I am not that level. But thank you. And the her sharing with me how she has been sitting on the sideline watching my career, you take those things for granted, and you don't think about
Courtney Stanley
it, yeah,
Telesa Via
and that that's that's very moving to me, and it keeps things in my head of like, how I show up for us, for women, it's important I don't work to put a lot of stress on me, but I know that I can make impact, because when some when I like my mentor and my sponsors, I aspire to be like them. I wanted those same traits. What did they do? How did they do it? Let me watch a long way, and then I mimic where I needed to. And so it's so awesome to be able to see I'm in that space now, and I'm like, oh my goodness, this is crazy. I don't I don't know if this is experience or age or what, but maybe, but I'll take it all last but not least. I just remember sitting in a seat and being in her place and looking for a seat that I can look at to help to guide me, and at that time, it was empty. And so the value of that space being taken and service being provided, it's so it's so important. So I take that as such a that's a part of who I am and what I do.
Courtney Stanley
There was something that you said that I don't want to skip over, because I don't think we talk about it enough, and that was when you were sharing how much it impacted you when somebody told you that they aspire to be like you, or that you inspire them. And I would encourage anybody who's tuning in to take the time to tell that person, even if you don't know them that well, it could be some somebody that you're inspired by from afar, because it does matter, and the fact that you said, the reaction that you had was to want to to inspire more, to be able to set examples, to share, to mentor, to host a dinner for 10 people and just answer questions you may not have ever had that opportunity. If somebody hadn't come up to you and said, Wow, how did you get to where you are? You are amazing. So I think we need to tell people that more I really do.
Telesa Via
We do. We do Courtney to that point when I did the presentation with ASAE for their the exchange, and it's for women, about 250 CEOs. I was referencing earlier on the stage, I talked about Dawn Staley, for those of you all who do not know Dawn, Staley went to UVA, which is where I went, which is where I got the chance to know her. And now she is coach at USC, and she if you follow her on social, you will see a a posting that she talked about her sponsor and her mentor and the value there and what she did for her. And then what Dawn talked about was she received a piece of the net that her mentor gave her when she won championship game, and then when dawn won, Dawn took it and gave it to 30 coaches on a collegiate level, and basically said She's gifting the same thing that she was gifted. And I don't know about you, but every time I say that, I get goosebumps. Um, so what I decided to do on stage was I had, as I mentioned, 250 CEOs. I personally crafted these gold butterflies, put them into this beautiful pocket or envelope on the outside, I had a pearl and I had a flower. So the pearl represents wisdom, flower represents growth, and the butterfly represents all of that in the life and moving it to the next step. So I asked them, as we're talking about mentorship and sponsorship, take that and give it. Actually, I gave them two, if I'm not mistaken, take that and give that to someone that you see. I know what you said, and this may be a little bit of a reverse, but it's important to highlight it both. Ways. It's important for those that are up and coming to be able to highlight but it's important for those who at a certain level to say that I see you as well, and I'm here to be able to assist. So I asked them to who they gave it to, to tag me from a LinkedIn perspective, so that I know that it was given because it's important for this to be viral, right? So many other things are viral, this power and this opportunity of women and making a change, regardless of the industry, if we don't start ourselves, there's no one else gonna that's gonna do it for us. So yes, it is important to be able to communicate, but I think it's on both, both sides. So
Courtney Stanley
I think so too. I think so too. I want to switch gears for a second, because you I know that you have a power statement, so a declaration of who you are and what you stand for, what what is yours. And I feel like our audience might be able to piece it together a little bit based on what you've shared so far, but I would love to hear what your power statement is and
Telesa Via
why gets this gets me excited. So confidence is my language. It's not a measure of anyone else's limits, and that i is, it's, it's what I live for. And I think when I was younger, I felt that I had a lot of feelings, but I specifically felt that there was a time in my life where, you know, I wasn't winning the way that I wanted to, and I and I think that the universe was setting things up for something bigger to come, but I didn't realize that. And I also remember sitting in a boardroom for the first time as a woman, and I'm like, I deserve to be in this room. I don't want to sit and nothing's like I I want to be a valued contributor to move things forward. And I think before that opportunity of sitting in that boardroom, my confidence wasn't there. So when I walked out of that boardroom, I felt like a new person, a different person, and the impact that I made and the strategy that we were able to build not just me, but it was all of us together, but I was engaged, and I spoke up, versus waiting for, I don't know, maybe just waiting for me to feel comfortable, but even when I was uncertain, I spoke up and and those are Two reasons. So it's like confidence is my language, and I want the entire room to shine. I don't want to overshadow but I want those who are in the room to shine as well. I'm not trying to steal anything. I'm trying to pull and join us all together so the room is bright. Mm, really bright. Mm, hmm. What would
Courtney Stanley
you say to somebody who is sitting at that same table in that boardroom and they see you shining, and they admire it, but they also feel hesitant to use their voice and to really own their seat. What would you say to them?
Telesa Via
So I have a couple of examples. Had a young lady on my team who had been working with me for for about four or five years. Now, I know what she's bringing to the table. I know what knowledge she has, and there were times where she didn't necessarily share it. So before we walked into that meeting, I said to her, you have the ability to change our trajectory and our budget achievement. You, single handedly, have that ability all of the things that we have talked about through our through our quarterly touch basis, through our one on one meetings, I want to hear them. I want it to be more than just me. These individuals want to hear your voice. And what I also said to her is that if you make a mistake, I will catch you. I will catch you. You're not in this room alone. She walked into that room, boy, she was knocking she knocked it out of the park. And I think sometimes we need to be mindful of that extra push that we may need to give someone else.
Courtney Stanley
Oh, the fact that you said, if you make a mistake, I will catch you. Oh, my gosh, that is that is something that I think probably would change anybody's life, not even just in that space, but in anything. To hear somebody say, if you make a mistake, I will catch you.
Telesa Via
Yeah. And what I so the team that I worked with for a long time, that core group of individuals worked for me 10 plus years. And it wasn't just when it was it was many. And I was having lunch with one of the one of the young ladies over the weekend, and she also posted on social media, or actually on LinkedIn, about her new opportunity. And two things here. One is she posted and she said, There's no way that I would be where I am today if it wasn't for to Lisa. And what she said to me We were having brunch on Saturday was she's like, You gave us a seat at the table when sometimes you were not there and was powerful, and I did that intentionally. But for her to say that, to see it, she's like, that's just how you work, and it is, and she's not, everyone will be intentional about placing others into a space with intentionality. It may be circumstantial, but not intentionality. So meant the world to me to hear that validation from her of those moves that I made, and all of them, all of them were amazing women who performed excellent at their craft, moved revenue in the direction that we needed. Were creative. You couldn't ask for a better group of people.
Courtney Stanley
Oh, my goodness, Talisa, that's legacy. Yeah? Like, that's the word that keeps coming back to me, is legacy. You're paying it forward for multiple generations, but the fact that they were able to say to you, even when you were not in that room, even when you didn't have a seat at the table, you still opened up doors for us to be able to have a chance to sit at that table.
Telesa Via
Absolutely
Courtney Stanley
and I would do it all over again. I have no doubt. I have no doubt I'm getting teary eyed. So I know I feel so emotional. You got me with the when you make a mistake, or if you make a mistake, I will catch you. I was like, Oh, my God, I'm gonna start crying like Everybody needs somebody like that in their life. And how. What a blessing for these women to see that in you and to have that in you. Yeah, that's a blessing. That's a beautiful thing
Telesa Via
all day. You know, one of the things we had quite a few programs, and it was mentor, mentor, mentee programs. And I would say to the individuals that I was, that I was matched with, and I said, Look, there's one of me and many of you all, so there's there's a capacity, and this is in my day job, right? There's a capacity of what I can do. But what I would say to them is that this relationship is what you make it. It can have a beginning and an end, or could have a dash and the the amount of women who have continued to stay in touch, not because of we work for the same company, but because of my passion towards, in my opinion, being a leader and being there to support and to be a confidant, but but also to provide constructive feedback. Because I think sometimes we want to hear the things that are just great, and there's constructive feedback is also a learning opportunity. So So to that point is that you were that you were just kind of where you were saying is that I think about the power that we have, and if we don't utilize it and give it, and sometimes it's in that mentor mentee program that's at work, and sometimes it happens outside of work as well. So find the place where you can do it and be follow through. People are watching, people are feeling and people want to make an impact, but sometimes they just don't know how to do it. So let us do it when we can.
Courtney Stanley
Talesa, I have been so inspired by you this whole conversation. I've just felt, first of all, it's been an amazing opportunity to just get to know you as a human being. Me, but I've also just felt so inspired by you, and I have to ask you, you know, I love you. These women that you have mentored clearly love you. You have inspired them as well. What do you think? What is something that people in our industry would never guess about you? Maybe something that deeply impacted your success along the way? Yeah,
Telesa Via
I am. I'm driven by curiosity just as much as I am by by achievement. And I am aggressive, tell us more about constructive feedback and what I could do better. And I think my struggle that I have had, the struggle that I've had, is that oftentimes people on the other side don't want to do that, and I think people see the wins, and I've had many falls, but my curiosity not only of the project or the work that I'm doing, but specifically on myself. I'm curious what, what's next for me, what's my next potential, what, what's out there that I may not think about, have thought about, but at the same time, I'm always thinking, What could I have done better? I I want feedback. One of my one of my really good friends, is in finance, and so I'm a sales girl, she's a finance girl, different, right? And she said to me, she's like Talisa. I have never met anyone in my career, never that honestly, genuinely wants feedback and will take that and put it into into action. So I've never seen that my challenge is, is that it's hard for me to find people that are willing to give me that. And so I think when there's constructive feedback, there's growth, there's revenue growth, like, if I mess something up, let's talk about it. I didn't do it intentionally, but how, what did I do that I can learn from that. And so I call it curiosity, because sometimes when people say constructive feedback, it has a negative tone to it. I just, I want to grow, and when I, when I when I fall. I'm hoping that my not. I'm hoping my board of directors, my personal board of directors, are there to pick me up, just like we talked about earlier. And so I've got this, the system to catch me, and I may feel in someone else's eyes, but it's growth for my next journey and my next opportunity. So I'm all for it. I'm all for falling and failing. But you better believe when there's a fall, there's a big win coming down the pike. I promise you,
Courtney Stanley
I believe that. I believe that. And I think not only is it important to have this personal board of directors, and how would, first of all, how would you explain that to somebody who's never heard that before?
Telesa Via
So let me just tell you chat. GBT it? Because what I can give you is going to be a piece of it. But I did it not too long ago, just to make sure and see if there's another way that I, you know, I can think about this, but in my personal board of directors, I thought about mentorship and sponsorship, and I think that both of them are needed. But with my personal board of directors, I not only want to be where I am today, but I want people around me that are going to help me on my journey that I may not even have passed out as of yet, because they can see things that I cannot see about myself. And when I checked GBT that it's so interesting, it came back with people that I already had on my list to be my on my personal board of director. So it is people who are entrepreneurs, because even in corporate America, I want to think like an entrepreneur. I don't want to sit and just be an SOP girl, which is amazing, but I want to have a brain that actually has this creative itch to it. Right then, when it comes to social media, I want someone that has a strong presence when it comes to organizations that I want to be on the board, who is an influencer to help me to open up the doors. If so, these are just examples. Where am I today? But where? Who are people that are moving in space? Basis that I may not necessarily be in, and will catch me and also help to create pathways in spaces and in industries that I never thought of. So for those of you all who are in hospitality or not in hospitality, this board of directors, regardless of the industry that you're in, have it to be Cross representative and not just in the space that you're in. Don't stay in the four walls that you see just within your eyesight. Life is much more than that.
Courtney Stanley
so, I think that's a great representation of what that board of directors could look like, and I like how out of the box it was. And second to that, I loved what you said about if and when you fall asking for support, because that's the other thing. You might be surrounded by, great mentors, great sponsors, great connections. But if you're not able to ask for support when you really need it, what's the point?
Telesa Via
What's what's the point? Courtney, I'm going to give you a quick example. Several years ago, I said I want to be on boards within our hospitality industry. And Courtney, I called one person who the normal person probably would not call, and I knew this person, but wasn't super, super connected, right? Prepared myself and the conversation that is, and had the conversation with him. Do you know, after that conversation to me, me saying to him, Hey, this is where I these are the boards I want to be on, help and provide guidance. You know, within 48 hours, I got responses back from both of those organizations, not to confirm at that moment that I was on the board, but the interest in the information, and I got the application process, etc. Long story short, I got on both of those boards. So you're talking about our board of directors, and you're talking about our true example. I I promise you, at that time, had I not have made that call, and he is on my board of directors, board of directors at that time, I didn't know, but that example was life changing to me, and that's when I started to curate and create the importance of this, and then my own personal board. Mm, hmm. So it's, it's amazing, the things that happen when you ask, but you have to be intentional and you have to be uncomfortable at the same time.
Courtney Stanley
Yes, you do. And prepared. I liked that. You mentioned that as well. You came prepared. You knew exactly how you were spending your time with this person.
Telesa Via
I did. I did.
Courtney Stanley
Talisa, this has been the best. This has been the best. You've
Telesa Via
been the best. Made me cry. You made me laugh. I mean, hello,
Courtney Stanley
I feel like I'm just right on this roller coaster with you. I want to give you space after everything that you have shared, and all of it has been so impactful, I know it has, and I know we're going to hear from our audience that this has made a difference. I would love to give you space to share any final pieces of advice or words of wisdom, anything you want to leave the people tuning in thinking about in the days and weeks to come.
Telesa Via
Yeah, own your seat and use your voice and bring the next woman with you. What we sometimes don't realize is that your ideas and leadership, they are value. They are value. That's what you bring to the table, think beyond the four walls and find sponsors, mentors, personal directors to help to open doors. That's my advice, and you would make me the happiest woman to hear whether it's comments or messaging that women and people have taken this on and walked into it and and actioning on these items truly would be heartfelt and something that I think it's very important. So, um, you know, it's exciting to be here with you, Courtney, I thank you for the space, the opportunity, the connection, which is more valuable. We've also got a trip planned to DC. I know I'm so excited, but going back to the advice, please make sure on your seat, use your voice, yeah. And make sure you're bringing the the next group of people up with you. It's important. It's very important.
Courtney Stanley
Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Talisa, thank you so much. This has been wonderful all of the advice and wisdom that you have shared with us today and audience, thank you so much for tuning in. Share what you learned from this episode with us on social media by following at meetings today and at Courtney on stage, and be sure to never miss an episode by subscribing to dare to interrupt on any major podcast platform. Own your seat, use your voice and keep daring to interrupt my friends until next time you you.
