Cruise Industry Expert Guest Speakers
Join us for another exciting Guest Speaker Event where you'll have the chance to hear from experienced professionals in the cruise industry!
Our guest speakers will share insights about their personal career journeys, industry trends, unique initiatives in organizations, and advice for students looking to enter this lucrative industry.
Join us on Tuesday, November 14, 2023
The event starts at 11:00 am
Room A1531B, Newnham Campus
In-Person Session Only: Light Snacks will be provided by SSF
This session is open to all Seneca students and alumni
Our Industry Guest Speakers
Donnalea Madeley
Godmother Liberty of the Seas and The Travel Agent Next Door Business Owner
Donnalea Madeley is a tourism industry expert with over 40 years of experience. As a travel business owner with The Travel Agent Next Door, she's known for her dedication to excellent service. Donnalea also teaches at Seneca Polytechnic, empowering future industry enthusiasts. Her innovative teaching methods and philanthropic work with 'Hands Across the Nations’ showcase her passion for the industry. Donnalea Madeley was named the godmother of Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Liberty of the Seas, a significant recognition in the cruise industry in recognition of her philanthropic efforts and community service.
"Travel is about exploring environments, changing perspectives, and embracing new views."
Cindy Girard
Sales Manager, Norwegian Cruise Line
Originally from Normandy in France, Cindy has been working in the travel industry for 20 years and lives currently in Toronto. The taste of travel came to her as she was raised next to the Ocean and was dreaming about sailing away already!
She started her career in Paris as a travel advisor for a small TMC. After a couple of years, she knew her passion was to build business relationships with travel partners, so she started her first position as Account and Sales manager. She worked for OTAs such as Expedia or HRS.com and even a luxury “chateau” hotel next to CDG!
In 2012, she moved to London in UK where she worked as Sales Manager United Kingdom and Belgium for Expedia TAAP. In 2016, the next adventure would take her to North America as Sales Manager Eastern US for Expedia TAAP again.
After a conference onboard Norwegian Bliss in the end of 2018 as a guest, she felt in love with the NCL product and the famous “Freestyle” and joined NCL in February 2019 in Derek Lloyds’ Canadian team as a specialist for home-based travel advisors.