Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world to honour and recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere.
This year, the women of WhiteWater participated in two educational sessions to speak to women in the entertainment industry about how they can navigate the world of work and their careers.
The company’s chief experience officer, Franceen Gonzales, led a conversation in honour of International Women’s Day on the ITPS I’M4FUN podcast. As the first chairwoman of ASTM International’s F-24 committee and a two-time Top 50 Theme Park Influencer by blooloop, Gonzales is known as a trailblazer in the industry and has worked hard throughout her 35-year career to build diverse leadership teams.
“I always tell upcoming leaders: it’s about finding the things that make you happy, finding your place in this awesome business, and then being able to forge your path knowing there are other people who have done it before and you can do it too,” said Gonzales.
Gonzales led a discussion about not only the water park sector, but also the entire industry in terms of product changes, consumer expectations, and safety.
The session was moderated by Una de Boer, director of global marketing and strategy at WhiteWater, and featured the following panelists:
- Alicia Huppman, senior manager, human resources at Gateway Ticketing Systems;
- John Wood, chairman and CEO at Sally Dark Rides;
- June Ko, executive director and vice-president, Asia Pacific operations at International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA); and
- Mary Baerg, chief operating officer at Space Center Houston.
“I’ve always had strong, smart, and supportive women alongside me on my career journey,” said deBoer. “I don’t take that for granted and see my role as an opportunity to provide that same support to aspiring leaders in our industry. Organizations prosper when all talent is developed and yet women leaders continue to be underrepresented. I [looked forward to the] panel sharing practical insights and encouragement for both men and women to help raise up more,” she continued.
The panelists shared some of the pivotal ‘empowering’ moments in their careers and how they and their organizations cultivate female talent.
