What do you do at Adara?
I’m responsible for developing the analytics that power Adara’s analytics suite. I work closely with the product, engineering, and analytics sales teams to help identify needs in the market that can be addressed using our unique global travel data co-op…..then we build it!
What do you love about working in the travel sector?
Adara is the first company I’ve worked for in the travel space, and I’m certainly enjoying the experience so far! I’m lucky enough to work with a group of incredibly smart, passionate travelers from every corner of the globe. Each of us has a unique background and story to tell. Being surrounded by this diverse group is an exciting environment for me, and presents a great opportunity to broaden my perspective of the world without even leaving the office!
What is your favorite holiday destination?
So far, it has to be New York City. I’m not one for tourist traps, so for the most part, I try to steer clear of those and try to find what makes a city unique. I really enjoyed getting off the beaten path and exploring what each of the different neighborhoods of Manhattan (and a bit of Brooklyn!) has to offer. There are so many great places to enjoy top notch entertainment, food, and music, and the city itself just has so much character. I definitely see myself returning in the near future.
What is the biggest day to day challenge you face in your role, and how do you try to overcome that?
Our analytics business is central to the ongoing growth of Adara, so it’s important to continue to build on our already strong foundations. It’s an exciting responsibility as we work to develop solutions that do not exist anywhere else. One of the biggest challenges is to be sure not to get too caught up in the day-to-day tasks; otherwise, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
What is the biggest challenge you face in the next 12 months and how are you preparing to face it?
With a dataset of more than 1BN unique traveler profiles, there is an extraordinary breadth of possibilities when it comes to how we leverage it and turn it into actionable insights for our customers. We’re a creative and inquisitive bunch of people, and we’ve got an incredible roadmap of exciting features and improvements we are going to build. The key challenge in the next 12 months is identifying the infrastructure and tools we need to get these ideas out of our heads and into the market!
What is your #1 bucket list travel destination?
I have always considered Italy to be my #1 bucket list travel destination. My grandparents were from Calabria, and from what I’ve seen and heard, it’s a beautiful place. I’ve been itching to go there and explore my roots for many years now. Plus, you really can’t beat Italian food! That said, the more I hear about London, the more competition it’s giving Italy for the #1 spot on my list. I’ll be very happy if I can make it to either in the next few years.
What are the three things you would take with you to a deserted island?
- My guitar. I’d need something to keep myself distracted from the fact that I’m stuck on a deserted island, and I can keep myself entertained with a guitar almost indefinitely!
- An iPod loaded up with all my favorite music. This is, of course, connected to a solar powered charger.
- Satellite phone. I’ll want to get off that island eventually!