Resilience, Advocacy, and Leadership Grounded in Service

Lauri Reishus’s journey, from American Airlines reservations to President & CEO of ARC, reflects a career built on resilience, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to service. Her path into travel began unexpectedly, but mentors and advocates soon recognized her potential, encouraging her into roles across agency operations, marketing, global accounts, and leadership. These experiences prepared her to guide an airline-owned organization at the center of complex stakeholder relationships, where airlines, agencies, GDSs, and payment providers rely on ARC’s data and operational integrity.

Lauri shares how she learned to balance humility with visibility, ensuring her work, and her teams’, was recognized. She emphasizes the necessity of mentors and advocates, thoughtful conflict resolution, continuous learning, and the courage to pursue growth even without a predetermined plan. Her reflections on navigating airline–agency dynamics reveal the value of listening, understanding motivations, and building trust across competing priorities.

She speaks candidly about being ARC’s first woman CEO, building support during her tenure as COO, and encouraging women to advocate for themselves through clarity, preparation, and strategic visibility. Lauri’s story also highlights her commitment to developing future leaders through intentional internships and mentoring.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• "Work hard and be nice to people."
• "You need both mentors and advocates."
• "Become the person others rely on."
• "Ask yourself, how important is this?"
• "Great things happen when you put your shoulder to the wheel."

Closing Reflection

Lauri Reishus’s reflections remind us that leadership is built through courage, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. Her journey encourages every professional to advocate for themselves, invest in continuous learning, and lead with service and integrity, because purposeful actions create enduring impact.