Author: Hizam Ongca

I’ve worked in technology my entire career across several industries, but I’ve only been in travel tech for about a year and a half, all with my current company, Mindtrip.

What first inspired me was a natural evolution from my early days in tech on the customer service side.

I have always loved travel. My dad worked for TWA, if anyone remembers that airline.

In tech, especially when you’re one of the few women in the room, you need to bet on yourself before you might feel “ready.”

It felt more like an organic evolution than a move at the time. I’ve always been interested in incorporating technology into my work; I remember automating “fax blasts” to group buyers of theater tickets in the late 90s.

Who doesn’t love to work in travel? We often joke internally that we’re on the “wrong side of the table” on the software side.

My background in product management across travel-related businesses, starting with operations and franchise strategy at Avis Budget Group