Ariel Surface
Portland,OR
Summary
Dynamic leader driving sales performance and customer satisfaction within the travel industry. Proven success in exceeding sales targets and enhancing team performance through effective coaching and mentorship. Committed to cultivating a collaborative and inclusive work environment that supports professional growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Reservations and QA Supervisor
Avanti Destinations
Portland, Oregon
11.2019 - 05.2026
- Managed daily operations for a high-volume Travel Planning, Sales, Payment, and Quality Assurance teams facilitating international FIT bookings.
- Served as the primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the reservations team on the company's proprietary travel booking software, delivering root-cause analysis and resolving reservation errors to secure client itineraries and protect booking revenue.
- Researched and resolved client escalation and issues, ensuring customer satisfaction and minimal company financial loss.
- Coached and developed sales team members through mentorship, training, and professional development, focusing on professional communication strategies and internal conflict resolution.
- Coached and motivated sales professionals through mentorship and communication training, effectively improving professional communication and boosting morale.
- Increased average team sales and conversion rates by 5% and reduced errors through QA coaching and oversight.
- Spearheaded efforts to improve outcomes of bookings for clients with specialized booking needs, leading to reduced complications and higher client satisfaction.
- Took over leadership of the QA team following a company reorganization, strengthening and acquiring new process and systems knowledge
Travel Consultant
Avanti Destinations
Portland , OR
11.2019 - 06.2023
- Exceeded personal sales target for 2022 by over 1 million.
- Promoted to Senior Travel Consultant position in November 2022 due to high quality of work, knowledge of company products and policies, and ability to assist colleagues.
- Developed relationships with Travel Consultant Connect agents, generating repeat sales and a strong level of satisfaction.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy of work and track record of delivering on commitments.
- Skilled at individually and collaboratively finding solutions to difficult situations while maintaining a high level of customer service.
Editor
JCR Eurasia Rating
Istanbul, Turkey
12.2010 - 05.2021
- Reviewed and edited approximately 80 reports annually in collaboration with a large analyst team, paying close and careful attention to detail and consistency.
- Edited credit and corporate governance rating reports, translated reports, contracts, and company information from Turkish to English, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communication.
- Managed time effectively and adapted to changing deadlines, ensuring high accuracy and quality in deliverables.
- Entered balance sheet and business information into JCR-ER’s rating/scoring system, contributing to the integrity of financial assessments.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
Istanbul Bilgi University
TurkeyBachelor of Arts - Political Science
Indiana University
Bloomington, INSkills
- Reservations management
- Team leadership and development/training
- Amadeus systems knowledge
- Microsoft Office skills
- Content analysis
- Quality Assurance
- Organizational skills
- Conflict resolution
- Interpersonal communication
Websites
Timeline
Reservations and QA Supervisor
Avanti Destinations
11.2019 - 05.2026
Travel Consultant
Avanti Destinations
11.2019 - 06.2023
Editor
JCR Eurasia Rating
12.2010 - 05.2021
Master of Arts - International Relations
Istanbul Bilgi University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Indiana University