2025 Woman of Influence: Barb Mock

Barb Mock, President, Travel With Barb, is a 2025 Woman of Influence, an initiative by Groups Today that celebrates the dynamic women shaping the group travel industry. Whether they're mentors, visionaries or brilliant leaders, their contributions deserve to be honored.

Barb Mock holds CSTP certification, leads a CSTO-certified company, and is a two-time recipient of the Torch Award for Ethics. An active member of SYTA and a Trustee on the SYTA Youth Foundation Board, Mock is passionate about leadership, fostering teamwork, mentoring others, and creating meaningful opportunities through travel.

Her industry honors include being named one of the Top 10 Influential Women in Student Travel (2016), receiving the Groups Today Tenacity in Travel Award (2020), the Youth First Award (2024), and the Patriotic Employer Award from the Department of Defense. Most recently, she was named a 2025 Enterprising Woman of the Year.

Groups Today: What does it mean to you to be a woman leader in the group travel industry?

Barb Mock: To me, being a woman leader in the group travel industry means showing up with purpose, compassion, and confidence in a space where relationships and details matter. It's about leading with both head and heart to balance both strategy with empathy. I am proud to represent women in a field that shapes lives through experience, and I take seriously the responsibility of mentoring others, building and fostering relationships, and creating a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

GT: How would you describe your approach to leadership?

BM: My leadership approach is grounded in relationships. I believe trust, respect, and genuine connection create the foundation for strong teams. I lead by investing in people by listening deeply, offering encouragement, and creating an environment where others feel supported and empowered. At the same time, I provide the structure and clarity needed for individuals and teams to thrive.

Leadership, to me, is not about having all the answers; it's about guiding others with purpose, modeling consistency, and helping people do meaningful work together.

GT: How do you use your influence to better the group travel industry?

BM: I hope my influence contributes to elevating our industry not through one voice alone, but through the mutual sharing of best practices, open collaboration, and a shared commitment to ethical, student-centered travel. By learning from and supporting one another, we strengthen the foundation of what we do. My goal is to be part of the ongoing work that moves our industry forward and leaves a lasting, positive impact for future generations.

GT: What are some of your favorite accomplishments so far?

BM: Some of my most meaningful accomplishments begin with the team I have had the privilege to build. Team TWB is truly second to none—their dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving others inspire me every day. Together, we have helped thousands of students experience transformative travel that builds confidence and broadens horizons.

While I'm honored to have received recognition for leadership and ethics, what matters most to me is the impact travel has on changing lives and the lasting relationships built along the way.

GT: What impact do you hope your work will continue to have on clients and peers?

BM: I hope my work continues to inspire confidence and possibility for both clients and peers. For clients, I want to make group travel feel accessible, manageable, and deeply meaningful and help educators and students create experiences that transform perspectives and build lifelong skills. For my peers, I aim to model leadership grounded in integrity and collaboration, encouraging a culture of support, innovation, and continuous growth. Ultimately, I want to leave a legacy of empowerment that fuels success and connection across the industry.

GT: What core values from your education career continue to guide your work today?

BM: The core values of patience, empathy, and dedication that shaped my education career continue to guide me every day. Teaching taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, listening deeply, and supporting growth in meaningful ways. My goal is to bring that same commitment to my work in group travel by prioritizing clear communication, thoughtful planning, and fostering positive experiences that empower both educators and students to thrive.

GT: What's your advice to women aiming to lead—and influence—in the niche of educational group travel?

BM: My advice is to stay open to learning. Be willing to ask for help, take classes, seek mentorship, and connect with other trusted business leaders. Listen to your team and empower them to share their ideas. As a leader, your job isn't to have all the answers but to lead the process of discovering them together. Growth comes from being curious, collaborative, and humble enough to learn from every situation.

GT: What are your goals for the future?

BM: Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building strong, trusted relationships—with educators, industry peers, and partners that make meaningful travel possible for more students. I want to expand access to life-changing experiences, especially for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to travel.

I also want to keep supporting others in the industry however I can. That may be through mentoring, collaboration, or simply showing up and doing my best. At the core, it's about creating connections that elevate one another.

The 2025 Trailblazers of Group Travel: Women of Influence Special Report originally appeared in the Sept/Oct '25 issue of Groups Today.

Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.