2025 Woman of Influence: Jaclyn Leibl-Cote
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President & CEO, Collette, 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.
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote is the President and CEO of Collette, the longest-running guided tour operator in the United States. A third-generation leader in the family-owned company, she has held numerous roles within the organization. Today, she leads with a traveler-first mindset, often joining tours to stay connected with guests' experiences.
As Collette's first woman CEO, Leibl-Cote is committed to innovation, authenticity, and continuing her family's legacy of delivering unforgettable travel moments.
Groups Today: What does it mean to you to be a woman leader in the group travel industry?
Jaclyn Leibl-Cote: Being a woman leader in this industry is both an honor and a responsibility. I'm proud to represent women in a space that hasn't always welcomed many of us at the table. My goal is to help others lead with confidence, compassion, and vision—because our perspectives are powerful and essential.
GT: How would you describe your approach to leadership?
JLC: I lead by listening and staying connected. I often join our tours to experience what our travelers do firsthand, which helps me lead with empathy and insight. I value transparency, collaboration, and empowering my team to grow and innovate. To me, leadership is about building trust and fostering a shared sense of purpose.
GT: How do you use your influence to better the group travel industry?
JLC: I use my platform to advocate for more meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable travel. I believe in creating experiences that are not only enriching for our guests but also respectful of and beneficial to the communities we visit. I also work to support and mentor others in the industry, especially women who are working moms and next-gen leaders.
GT: What are some of your favorite accomplishments so far?
JLC: One of my proudest moments was celebrating Collette's centennial. Fewer than 1% of family-owned businesses reach the 100-year mark, and being part of that legacy is incredibly meaningful. I'm also proud of how we've expanded globally while staying true to our family values. Earlier this year, I was named to the Women Presidents Organization's list of fastest-growing women-led companies, and it was very meaningful.
GT: What advice would you give to other leaders of generational businesses?
JLC: Honor your legacy, but don't be afraid to evolve. I've learned that listening—to your team, your customers, and the world around you—is essential. Stay grounded in your values but be open to change. That balance is what keeps a legacy not just alive but thriving.
GT: What impact do you hope your work will continue to have on clients and peers?
JLC: I hope our work continues to create moments of connection—for our travelers, our team, and the communities we visit. I want people to feel seen, inspired, and transformed by their experiences with us. And I hope to continue encouraging others to lead with heart and purpose.
GT: What's your personal mantra—or travel philosophy—that guides your work?
JLC: "Travel with purpose, lead with empathy." That's the lens I bring to everything I do. Travel should be more than just seeing new places—it should be about connecting, understanding, and growing.
GT: What are your goals for the future?
JLC: I want to continue expanding Collette's impact—through innovative tour design, deeper community engagement, and sustainable practices. I also want to keep mentoring future leaders and ensuring Collette remains a place where people feel inspired to grow, explore, and connect.
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.
