March 2021 - Isabella Rusike

Isabella Rusike Duluth Travel Business Development Manager MPI Georgia Member since April 2020

MPI Georgia welcomed new member Isabella Rusike, Business Development Manager at Duluth Travel, to the organization in April 2020. She chose to join MPI to further her industry knowledge and benefit from the wonderful educational programs and resources MPI offers to members. Isabella was introduced to the Georgia chapter through her participation the CMP Study Group at the Coca-Cola Company. She entered into the meeting industry while working with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a program that invests in “high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others.” Currently with Duluth Travel, Isabella is responsible for negotiating and sourcing government contracts for the various government entities the company manages including meetings, trainings, and all subsequent reservations for the National Guard. She is currently working on winding up activities around the inauguration and getting the National Guard back home.

Isabella is focused on being her authentic self at all times and is inspired by former first lady, Michelle Obama. Michelle’s success as a “career woman, mother, wife, and FLOTUS” are punctuated by how she “effortlessly guided her family, raised her beautiful daughters, kept her head held high, and had a smile on her face despite all the negative criticisms and naysayers.” In the event industry, Isabella finds that keeping a smile on your face can also be important as a welcoming face can encourage others and put them at ease.

In the event Isabella came into lottery winnings, she would expand her collection of travel destination fridge magnets and journey to the Maldives or go island-hopping in the Mediterranean. Apart from personal travel, she would also become more involved with the education and awareness of child trafficking and support their assimilation back into society.