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Mia Touzin Leffler
Education Adviser
HSMAI Region Europe

Mia Touzin Leffler is an international academic with a passion for professional development within hospitality and tourism.

As Senior Fellow, the Higher Education Academy in England, the organisation for quality assurance within British universities, Mia is External Examiner at Ulster University in Belfast. Her academic background includes being head of the hospitality and event management education at the large University of West London, academic lead of the BSc programme at the private Glion Hotel School in Switzerland and lecturer at Cornell University when they had a teaching centre at IMHI Essec in Paris. Her academic education includes a MSc with Merit in Tourism & Hospitality Management and Education from Surrey University together with earlier studies in human resources management in the UK and hotel management at Glion.

Mia Touzin LefflerÕs earlier career was in the industry, as head of management development and training with Sheraton EAME & South Asia and prior to that as Human Resources Manager, Holiday Inns Europe. This was followed by a period as independent with quite large, long term projects around work method changes, service concepts and sales training programmes for Disney Paris, the Europcar Ð Perot Systems partnership and Air Miles before landing in academia with three children tagging along. Mia grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden, is married to a Frenchman and has spent her adult life based in England, France, Switzerland, Germany and in Australia. Mia is not working fulltime now but with projects instead to have the time to live as well!

Q:ÊWhat does a day at work consist of for you?

A:ÊA difficult question as the weeks now vary. Two weeks ago, I attended the HSMAI Leadership Day in Frankfurt, presenting Winning for Customers, the Service Pledge programme and what has been done since last year. This week, I have been in the middle of France, north of Bordeaux, where the priorities were to preserve the harvest of tomatoes, peaches and apricots so that we can bring them with us. In between, emails to follow up on the Frankfurt talk and then out to work in the garden! Next, in the car and back to London.

Q:ÊWhatÕs the best part of your job?

A:ÊThe flexibility, adapting to opportunities and all the engaging, enthusiastic people that I meet. Also, to watch the glittering eye of a youth who has discovered their passion.

Q:ÊDo you have anyone youÕve looked up to?

A:ÊDifferent managers that I have worked with over the years and these youngsters who have been through all sorts of experiences, coming through the stronger for it.

Q:ÊDo you have any nice traditions at your office?

A:ÊTo get academics to be in one location at the same time to either socialize or work as a team can be a major undertaking but when it is achieved it has a very positive effect, reducing stress levels and on how they enjoy their work and the achievements of their students.

Q:ÊHow long have you been a member of HSMAI?

A:ÊWas involved with HSMAI Region Europe in 2015 and much more since a year.

Q:ÊWhat do you think is the best thing about HSMAI?

A:ÊThe ability to get all these energetic, engaging people at varying stages of their careers and experiences together. The ability and sensitivity to pick up on trends and what really matters.

Q:ÊAre there any activities or projects you think HSMAI should start up?

A:ÊWinning for Customers, the Service Pledge to help quality assure the experiences that the customers are promised. HSMAI Region Europe are well underway with this.

Q:ÊDescribe your perfect weekend.

A:ÊEither with my very young grandchildren, living in Rome. Intense, both physically and emotionally and fantastic. Or amongst my roses that I prune ending up with a back ache but then it is lovely to go for a swim.

Q:ÊIf you were trapped on a desert island, what would you take with you, if you could choose one thing?

A:ÊSomething that I could use to make tools for fishing and living. Think I would find it difficult to sit still.

Q:ÊHow will someone who knows you describe you?

A:ÊA conceptual mind with a practical pair of hands. Or what a hotel manager in Liverpool once called me: Õa brickÕ(!!) He said it meant, dependable and trust worthy. I hope that they also say Õwith a sense of humour and a big supply of patienceÕ.

Q:ÊWhat is your next travel destination?

A:ÊThe next private trip goes to Rome, to the grand children! 25th October I participate in a HSMAI Advisory Board project meeting in London where I live and the 27th Ð 29th November I will be in Oslo for the next Executive Coach workshop for Winning for Customers, the Service Pledge.

Q:ÊDo you have any special hobbies?

A:ÊHobby? I used to ski a lot in Scandinavia and in the Alpes growing up, travelling by coach from Gothenburg on Friday night and back in education Monday morning, bleary eyed. Later, with my children finding new paths through the birch trees. Recently, it is gardening (whole heartedly!), swimming, the grandchildren and reading. At least, I manage to find time for some of this now as during many years, there was too little spare time.

Q:ÊThank you for your time. Do you have any personal comments?

A:ÊI come back from every HSMAI Region Europe event incredibly stimulated by your enthusiasm and how engaged and involved you all are. I look forward to many more meetings like that. You really are a great ÕbunchÕ. Well done!!

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