Caryl Helsel Named Inaugural Recipient of the Fearless Woman Award by TIEWN
Caryl Helsel, Founder & CEO of Dragonfly Strategists, was recognized at the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association awards gala in Los Angeles, showing dedication to advancing progressive change in hospitality.
Los Angeles - Dragonfly Strategists, the hospitality industry’s leading boutique advisory and services firm, is proud to announce its CEO & Founder, Caryl Helsel, has been honored as the inaugural winner of the 2022 Fearless Woman Award by Travel Industry Executive Women’s Network (TIEWN).
The Fearless Woman Award recognizes and celebrates women of the hospitality and travel industry who are lighting the torch for the next generation of leaders. This coveted award recognizes a top woman executive in hospitality or a travel company who has shown significant dedication to advancing progressive change in the industry.
Caryl founded Dragonfly in 2016 as the sole member. Since, she has established a women-led organization comprising of over 20 full-time employees and 20 plus contractors focused on transforming strategy into revenue for luxury, boutique hotel brands to lifestyle and independent hotels across commercial strategy, distribution, operations, revenue, eCommerce, IT, sales, and marketing teams.
Caryl has devoted herself to hospitality acting as a “change agent” for the industry. During the pandemic, Caryl was of the mindset that if she stayed engaged with her clients and remained relevant in the industry, she could make it better. Caryl and her executive team stepped up and offered some of their loyal and return clients Dragonfly’s services at no cost; when and where the client felt they needed them. Additionally, during this time, Caryl established a recurring weekly call where women in hospitality could convene to talk about personal or professional challenges. She brought everyone together as one during this difficult and trying time.
Caryl also believes in giving back to the community, hospitality industry, and world. Her signature cause focuses on St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She sits on the Digital and Innovation Advisory Council for ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Each year, a portion of all of Dragonfly’s revenues are donated to St. Jude to continue the amazing work they are doing globally.
According to Caryl’s team, “Nobody better exemplifies their leadership skills more than Caryl. While hospitality has traditionally been boasted as a male-dominated industry, that does not matter to Caryl. She has successfully trailblazed past the stigma and has positioned herself as one of the most sought-after professionals in the hospitality industry, creating a well-respected, women-led organization.”
Frances Kiradjian, CEO and Founder of both BLLA and TIEWN remarked, “This award could not have gone to a more deserving woman in our industry. Caryl has displayed immense leadership as well as entrepreneurship in the many years I have known her. We’re also grateful to the judges who gave Caryl top honors. We all congratulate Caryl on her amazing award and honor her resilience and strong character in forging ahead and creating a great organization of her own.”
Caryl said, “I am extremely honored and humbled to be nominated and named the first Fearless Woman Award recipient. The past few years have been extraordinary. I am thankful for the tenacity of this industry and the wonderful colleagues throughout my career who are now my closest friends. This award would not be possible without the commitment of the fabulous Dragonfly team. Thank you, TIEWN!”
Caryl Helsel with Ariela Kiradjian, COO of BLLA & President of TIEWN
Caryl became the first recipient of the Fearless Woman Award and was recognized at the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) annual awards gala held during the 2022 Boutique Hotel Owners Conference by BLLA Events, among industry peers and colleagues on October 25 in Los Angeles at the Westlake Village Inn. For more information on Dragonfly, click here.
About Dragonfly Strategists:
Dragonfly Strategists is the premier and trusted boutique hospitality services and advisory practice firm. We work alongside global boutique, luxury hotel brands to lifestyle and independent hotels to create actionable strategies that transform into higher revenue-generating opportunities and streamlined processes across commercial strategy, distribution, operations, revenue, eCommerce, IT and sales and marketing teams. The team is comprised of tenured individuals located throughout the United States and Europe serving the global marketplace with regional expertise. To learn more visit dragonflystr.com.