In this special bonus episode, we celebrate International Women’s Day with Kerry Walker, CEO of Southern Discoveries. Kerry shares her journey in tourism, from starting as a hotel receptionist in Taupō to leading one of New Zealand’s top tourism businesses. She reflects on the challenges women face in leadership, including gender bias, imposter syndrome, and the importance of resilience and continuous learning. We discuss how the industry can create more inclusive workplaces, the value of mentorship, and why diversity in leadership matters. Kerry offers practical advice for women aspiring to leadership, encouraging them to build strong skill sets, advocate for themselves, and challenge the status quo. She also shares insights on personal brand, workplace culture, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. In closing, she reflects on the progress made for women in tourism and the work still needed to ensure equity at all levels. 00:00 Welcome to the Tourism Chat Show 00:24 The Significance of International Women's Day 00:47 Celebrating Women in Various Fields 01:07 Reflecting on Progress and Challenges 01:49 Empowerment and Inspiration 02:51 Interview Introduction: Kerry Walker 03:49 Kerry Walker's Career Journey 06:54 Challenges and Successes in Leadership 11:01 Barriers and Strengths in Leadership 15:12 Personal Brand and Mentorship 22:58 Creating Supportive Environments for Women 24:54 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 26:08 Advice for Women in Leadership 28:08 Shoutouts to Inspirational Women 29:44 Conclusion and Thank You _____________________________________________________ Powered by https://www.destinatenz.com  If you, or someone you work with has a great tourism story to share, and would like to come onto the show, please get in touch! This is an independent podcast by tourism strategist Michelle Caldwell. We are absolutely dedicated to bringing you the best tourism business stories and sharing marketing tips and strategies to your ears each week! The best way you can support The Tourism Chat Show is by subscribing, leaving a (rave!) review, (five star!) rating and spreading the word on social media with your friends, family, and colleagues- we love you for that! 🥰 Today's Guest Kerry Walker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-walker-2a73ba18/  Resources and Links to connect with us: Love the show? You can support us by buying a coffee ☕️ here — https://www.buymeacoffee.com/DestinateNZ Share you thoughts and say hi to us on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetourismchatshow Michelle Caldwell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekcaldwell/ Website: www.destinatenz.com If you'd like to advertise or feature on the show, please check out our media kit - https://www.destinatenz.com/podcast