NEW YORK — Following its Canadian launch last month, First in Service (F1S) has announced three new appointments to its leadership team, including a 20-year veteran of the Canadian travel industry.

The New York City-based travel agency, which officially opened its first Canadian office in Toronto in February 2022, has welcomed Shay Harrington, Tammy An and Canadian Tatjana Pandza to its team, in addition to promoting Suzanna Halama, Wonnie Baik and Johanna Diaz.

Said Fernando Gonzalez, F1S Chief Executive Officer and co-founder: “With First in Service poised for a resumption of accelerated growth, the vital leadership of these six extraordinary women will be focused squarely on growing the three primary segments of our business: corporate, luxury leisure and entertainment travel.

“These leaders personify our ongoing commitment to reflect the exceptional, outsized role that women have historically played in our industry. Their contributions, along with plans to accelerate our expansion through acquisitions and attracting more of the industry’s most respected advisors, place our fiercely autonomous agency on a solid path that will help us grow together with our valued partners.”

Bringing a combined 60 years of travel industry expertise, the new members are as follows:

• Shay Harrington, Vice President, Sales and Partnerships: Harrington, a 30-year industry veteran, will lead the development and growth of leisure sales specifically with cruises, DMCs, tour operators, ground transportation and insurance. She previously spent 25 years in various roles at Tzell, including Manager of Leisure Development and Director of Leisure Operations.
• Tammy An, Director, Marketing and Partnerships: With 10 years of industry experience, An will oversee and execute marketing strategies on a global level to advance F1S partners among its advisors and clientele. She joins F1S from Cuvée where she served as Director of Strategic Partnerships. She began her career with Shangri-La Group where she was Director of Business Development in the regional sales office.
• Tatjana Pandza, Senior Director, Accounting Operations: With 20 years of industry experience, Pandza will focus on the F1S accounting processes, including supplier reporting. She comes to F1S directly from Travel Edge North America (United States, Canada and Bermuda) where she most recently served as Senior Director of Accounting Operations for eight years. She began her travel industry career with a 12-year stint at The Travel Network, most recently as its Director of Accounting and Finance.

The three F1S leaders who have been promoted include: 21-year travel industry veteran Suzanna Halama, who is now Vice President of Operations; Wonnie Baik, F1S’ new Vice President, Sales and Partnerships (with a focus on hotels, resorts and villas); and Johanna Diaz, who now serves as Vice President, Finance.

To read Travelweek’s exclusive interview with Gonzalez about First in Service’s Canadian launch and expansion plans, click here.