Hispanic heritage month: Shifting the conversation with Ian Molanphy

My journey with Sabre began in 1994 in Santiago, Chile, when my former boss invited me to join a team dedicated to expanding Sabre’s presence in Latin America. I started as a training representative, spending five months traveling to agencies and conducting training sessions. But I was eager for more. Soon, I transitioned into account management, and in 1997, I relocated to Miami to support the sales team’s growth. This marked the beginning of a 15-year chapter that would take me across different countries and cultures.

One of the most rewarding aspects of those early years was the opportunity to advance my leadership career internationally. I became a sales manager in Brazil, where I learned Portuguese, becoming trilingual in the process, alongside my native Spanish and English. After two years with the sales team, my role evolved to the country manager for Colombia. I held this role for another two years before I joined the marketing team at Sabre’s joint venture in Mexico.

Immersing myself in local cultures was invaluable – not just for the language skills but also for learning how to navigate different approaches to negotiation and business. Each country has its unique way of doing things, and understanding these nuances became one of my most valuable assets as a leader. The biggest challenge was adapting to these diverse negotiation styles, but those experiences gave me insights that would shape my career moving forward.

After 15 years at Sabre, I made the difficult decision to leave. At the time, I was starting a family, and the frequent travel – over 200 days a year – had become hard to manage. In hindsight, I realize I could have leaned on my Sabre network to find a role that fit my new circumstances, but instead, I chose to step away. However, my time away was well-spent. I grew professionally, learned new skills and ultimately became more thoughtful about balancing my career and family life.

In 2014, I was ready to return to Sabre. I was drawn back to the company’s support for work-life balance and my desire to raise my daughters in Colombia, where they could embrace their Latin American heritage. I wanted them to experience their culture firsthand, blending my Chilean roots with their mother’s Colombian background.

Today, Sabre continues to provide opportunities for growth, collaboration and making an impact. One of my biggest takeaways since 1994 is how supportive Sabre is in helping employees navigate different cultures. No matter where you land, you can rely on your team to help you adapt. After landing in London, and starting my European experience with Sabre, this is one of the core values I carry forward as the president of the Ascenders group in Richmond, where I mentor new team members. I also lead the Latinos in Travel inclusion group in Europe, a role that’s incredibly close to my heart. Through this, I ensure that Latino voices are heard and our cultural impact is celebrated within this global company.

At Sabre, we don’t just work; we unite across cultures, making us truly unique. This has allowed me to enrich my understanding of different cultures, helping me adapt and empathize with others. I’ve come to believe that cultural adaptability is key to global leadership and will continue to guide me in my next role.

Sabre is shifting the conversation with stories from passionate and bold inclusion group members. At the heart of our inclusion & engagement efforts, our eight inclusion groups, and counting, aim to amplify the voices of our team members and create a sense of belonging for all. Together, we celebrate diversity, applaud individuality and embrace unique perspectives to empower our global team members to bring their true selves to work every day. Learn more about our inclusion & engagement mission.