From Andean Villages to Antarctica - What Living a Life Built on Adventure Can Teach You About Leadership

"I worked in many different areas across the organization. I've felt pretty prepared for the role in which I play today. This hands-on experience gave her an understanding of workflows, processes, and-most importantly-the perspectives of employees at every level."

"When Jaclyn talked about her proudest moment at Collette, it wasn't a revenue milestone-it was a day in an Andean village in Peru that changed the course of the company's purpose. Spending time with schoolchildren, delivering supplies, and experiencing the community transformed her vision for the business."

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, third-generation leader of Collette, a century-old travel company, emphasizes working through every level of the organization before leading. She rotated through call centers, tour management, product design, and operations to understand workflows and employee perspectives. Rather than pursuing short-term revenue gains, Jaclyn redirected the company toward purposeful travel experiences that benefit destination communities. The Collette Foundation supports communities in locations where travelers visit, embedding social impact into the business model. Her leadership philosophy centers on building long-term trust, cultural preservation, and resilience, demonstrating that sustainable business success combines operational knowledge with genuine commitment to stakeholder wellbeing.

Read at Entrepreneur