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For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Celebrating Lisa Story and the Women of Orbit World Travel
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, we reflect on this year’s theme: For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. It’s a call to action that deeply resonates with Lisa Story, Founding Partner and Director of Orbit World Travel. As a female founder who has built one of Australia’s most respected travel management companies, Lisa embodies the spirit of resilience and progress.
We sat down with Lisa to discuss her journey, the importance of gender equality in business, and the steps Orbit World Travel has taken to ensure women have every opportunity to succeed.
Q&A with Lisa Story
Q: This year’s theme, ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ is about progress and pushing boundaries. How does this resonate with you and your journey as a female founder?
Lisa Story: When I started Orbit World Travel over 30 years ago, the industry looked very different. Travel has always been a fast-paced sector, but back then, leadership roles were still predominantly held by men. I knew that to succeed, I had to carve my own path and build a company that didn’t just follow the norm but set new standards. 'March Forward' is exactly what I had to do - step by step, challenge by challenge.
Q: Women make up around 35% of business owners in Australia, yet they receive less than 5% of venture capital funding. What challenges did you face as a female founder?
Lisa Story: Access to capital is a significant barrier, but so is the expectation of proving yourself over and over again. I had to work twice as hard to gain the trust of industry partners and corporate clients. There were moments of doubt, but I focused on what I could control - delivering exceptional service, surrounding myself with talented people, and staying true to my vision.
Q: Orbit World Travel has a strong female leadership team. How intentional was this, and how does it shape the company?
Lisa Story: It wasn’t about hiring women for the sake of it; it was about hiring the best people for the job - and time and time again, those people happened to be women. Today, our leadership team is predominantly female, which speaks volumes about the talent we have in this industry. We support each other, challenge each other, and share a common drive for excellence.
Q: Many women leave the workforce due to lack of flexibility. What practices does Orbit have in place to support women’s careers?
Lisa Story: Flexibility is key. We offer remote work options, flexible hours, and a supportive environment that allows our team to balance career and family commitments. We’ve also prioritised pay parity - we conduct regular audits to ensure there is no gender pay gap within our business.
Q: Gender equality isn’t just about supporting women - it’s about creating an inclusive culture for all. How do you foster that at Orbit?
Lisa Story: Exactly. While we are proud of the strong female representation in our leadership team, we also have incredible male colleagues who are champions of gender equality. It’s about creating a culture where talent, hard work, and results - not gender - determine success. This means mentoring programs, leadership development, and an inclusive approach to business growth.
Q: What advice do you have for women looking to start their own business?
Lisa Story: Trust yourself. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and don’t be afraid to take risks. It’s never easy, but if you believe in what you’re doing and stay resilient, you’ll carve your own path forward.
Voices of Leadership at Orbit World Travel
Lisa isn’t the only inspiring woman behind Orbit World Travel’s success. The company’s leaders are remarkable women who bring expertise, passion, and resilience to their roles. Here’s what they have to say about working at Orbit and what International Women’s Day means to them:
Kim Wethmar, Strategic Advisor: “Lisa has built a company where talent is recognised based on merit. We operate in a space where women can lead, innovate, and thrive. That’s something to be proud of.”
Kaye Curtin, Head of Finance: “It’s inspiring to work in a company where women’s voices aren’t just heard - they drive the business. Lisa’s leadership has created a space where success isn’t limited by traditional boundaries, allowing innovation and collaboration to thrive.”
Melanie Smith, Operations Manager: “IWD is a reminder that gender equality is not just about women - it’s about everyone. At Orbit, we have both men and women who actively champion diversity and inclusion.”
Stacey Arnold, Operations Manager: “Empowerment comes from trust. Lisa has always trusted us to take the reins, make decisions, and drive the business forward. That’s real leadership.”
Linda Brown, Client Partnerships Manager: "Great leaders don’t just inspire; they listen, empower, and lead with purpose. Lisa fosters trust, embraces innovation, and champions growth, creating a culture where her teams thrive."
Ros Chillingworth, Conference & Events Manager: "On International Women's Day, I celebrate not only all women but also the incredible support network and opportunities provided by Orbit World Travel. Together, we work to innovate and empower each other, becoming the best versions of ourselves - not just as women, but as individuals."
The March Forward
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Lisa Story’s journey reminds us that progress is made step by step, through resilience, inclusion, and the determination to challenge the status quo. The success of Orbit World Travel is proof that when businesses invest in gender equality, they create stronger, more innovative, and more successful teams.
While we’ve made significant strides, the journey towards true gender equality continues. Studies show that it could take another 132 years to close the global gender gap. Businesses have a responsibility to accelerate this change by implementing fair policies, fostering inclusive cultures, and ensuring that women have the support they need to succeed.
Now is the time to act. Let’s invest in a future where all women and girls have the opportunities, rights, and empowerment they deserve.
Join the conversation. Be part of the change.
#ForAllWomenAndGirls #IWD2025