Influential Woman · Hospitality

Dany Halaby

Operational Supervisor, Universal Orlando

Orlando, FL

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Associate's Degree in Business Administration Degree Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management Degree Certificate in Beverage Management Degree Master's in Event Leadership (in progress)

Her Story

About Dany

I started my career path going into college for international business and finished my AA in Business Administration, but I was a little bit confused as to what to do next. I took the opportunity of doing a Disney College Program with the Disney Company and worked for them for a little bit over a year and a half. After that experience, I realized that my passion was within hospitality and within guest service, so I switched my major into hospitality management and rerouted my career to work towards that side. Since finishing my major, I worked for UCF for a little bit as their catering assistant and then as their event manager. I then transitioned into Universal as an event leadership intern in reporting and analytics, and now I'm an operational supervisor with them. I've been very blessed that I've worked with two of the greatest guest service companies in Florida - the Disney Company and Universal have definitely taught me a lot about how to interact with our guests, and mostly just how to go above and beyond expectations to satisfy our guests' needs and wants. My area of expertise is guest service, and I think my biggest professional achievement has been following my passion for guest service and being honest to what I really like, what makes me happy, and what part of the world I want to contribute to.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Dany

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think my passion for achieving things is basically what gives me my drive. The satisfaction that one can get from developing, especially personally, into my dreams has always been what kept pushing me and not having me settle for anything less than what I've always dreamed of. I believe that being honest to what you really like, what makes you happy, and what part of the world you want to contribute to is very important, and I am very glad I did that early on in my career. Following my passion for guest service has been my biggest professional achievement.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I think the best advice I've ever received is to listen to myself, and listen to my heart and my intuition. Sometimes it can seem like a challenge, or a little bit of a big step, but I think within yourself, you know if it's the correct thing for you.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say it's very important to be truthful with yourself and what you want to do. The industry is very big, and there is a place for everybody. However, I think honesty within yourself is very important to realize where you want to be and what you want to contribute to it.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think one of the biggest challenges that the industry faces is just offering a work-life balance. I think it's an industry that you have to sacrifice a lot of things in your personal life for it to be as successful, for you to be successful in it. And I think the fact that the industry is running 24-7 also takes a little bit of a challenge on it, but it's definitely just something that people can just get adjusted to if you really want to succeed in it.

Keep Exploring