Abta’s industry relations director, Susan Deer, and Rachel Jordan, membership and financial protection director, have been recognised in the Women in Trade Associations Powerlist.
The Powerlist was launched on International Women’s Day (March 8) to celebrate and recognise inspirational women in the association sector.
Deer and Jordan were featured in the Powerlist in recognition of the work they do to support and deliver for Abta members.
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Abta said that Deer’s role saw her team lead the association’s crisis response to Covid-19; supporting members with information, liaising with governments to seek clarity on travel requirements and helping the industry prepare for restart.
She has also led Abta’s work to share insights to rebuild the industry in a more sustainable way.
Jordan joined Abta in October 2020 and has been described as “a force for change” across the membership and financial protection teams, simplifying processes to save members time and money.
She has helped bring leaders together from across the travel and financial services industries through new focus groups to discuss some of the most pressing financial protection issues facing the sector.
Jordan is also a big advocate of diversity and inclusion, on a personal and professional level, sharing her own experiences of being a leader with a hidden disability.
Deer said: “I enjoy every minute of my role working on behalf of Abta members – so it’s a real privilege to be recognised on International Women’s Day.
“We have a fantastic team at Abta, my colleagues are unwavering in their commitment and endeavours to support members. Our recognition today is as much a reflection of their hard work as ours.”
Jordan added: “I feel really honoured to have been included in the Women in Trade Associations Powerlist, especially alongside my trusted colleague Susan who has been a solid source of support since I joined Abta’s senior leadership team in 2021.
“Sixty per cent 60% of Abta staff are women, with many of them working in senior leadership and senior management roles, and 58% of my department are women delivering key services to Abta members.
“It’s great to work with such a fantastic group of female professionals, both at Abta, but also in the wider industry. The travel industry is a huge employer of women and together we make such a big contribution to the sector.”
Pictured from left: Susan Deer and Rachel Jordan