Women Worth Watching 2015
Jill Surdek
This Talented VP Makes Customer Service Soar at American Airlines
A valued member of the American Airlines team since 1998, Jill Surdek has served in many strategic roles. In her current position as vice president of customer planning, Jill oversees airport and reservation policies, automation and training, customer relations, service recovery, and lounges, with responsibility for the overall airport experience, including implementing new tools the let our employees and customers access real-time operational information and leading American’s service recovery team in assisting customers experiencing an operational disruption. Jill also oversees our network of over 50 lounges to ensure that we deliver world-class service to our frequent travelers.
Previously, Jill was American’s managing director of brand and customer experience strategy, with a variety of responsibilities, including menu design and operations for onboard food and beverage offerings, and strategy for airport lounges. She led the successful multi-year modernization of the iconic American Airlines brand. The brand re-launch had a significant impact on company advertising, digital channels, airport environments, communications, lounge design, employee uniforms, and aircraft livery. The new brand identity won a prestigious CLIO award in 2013. Jill’s focus on the customer experience, combined with her business acumen, leadership skills, and diverse airline experience, helped achieve these exceptional results.
Jill has also held leadership positions in sales and revenue management, overseeing teams collaborating with Latin American stations to improve revenue and establish relationships with international alliance partners offering joint business programs.
“I believe any leader should be a good listener and communicate effectively,” says Jill. “Being able to articulate your team’s goals in a way that energizes the group and addresses concerns will always get you much closer to achieving them.”
A past member of the International Flight Services Association board and currently active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program, Jill received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. She is married, with two children—a twelve-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son.
“…have confidence in your abilities, but be humble enough to learn…”
Education: MBA, University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School; BA, Boston College
First Job: Cashier, Wegmans grocery store
What I’m Reading: “Wonder” by RJ Palacio. I am reading with my son and I love it.
Words I live by: “The days are long, the years are short.” I think it puts your personal and professional life in perspective.
The most important quality a woman leader should have is…
…I believe any leader should be a good listener and communicate effectively. If you can articulate your team’s goals in a way that energizes the group and addresses concerns, you are most of the way in achieving it.
The career advice I’d give my former self:
Don’t worry so much. The things that seemed like a big deal at the time, turned out not to be that critical.
The one thing I’d do differently in my career, knowing what I know now, is…
…nothing. That doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes, but that you must learn and move forward. Wishing you had done things differently can sometimes keep you stuck in the past.
When I really need to focus on a project, I…
…proactively block time on my calendar instead of ‘hoping’ I will find time during the day.
My biggest career leap (and what I learned from it) was…
…when I was promoted into my current job in a new department, I learned that, to be successful, you need to have confidence in your abilities but be humble enough to learn from your team and colleagues .
Being a woman in my profession has been…
…smooth. In my career, I have been fortunate to have many smart and supportive female leaders and peers to learn from.
I’ve learned that failure is…
…inevitable! Learn from it and move on without too much self-criticism.
I maintain a healthy personal life by…
…limiting out of town trips and after work commitments, so I can be home for dinner, homework and bedtime.
I knew my present career was what I wanted to do when…
…I never had a single ‘aha’ moment. But over the last 17 years, I have grown to love this company, the industry, and my colleagues. Now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
American Airlines’ policy allowing BLM pins for workers while discriminating against other legitimate expressions will force me to sell my AA stock and avoid all business and vacation travel on AA. I’m sure I am not the only person who will do this.
I agree 109%. Disgraceful. The BLM movement has gone south; it’s now criminal and anti-American.
I will no longer fly on American.
I am appalled that you would allow employees to wear BLM pins – as we have all witnessed their support of people assaulting police officers, violence, and needless and criminal destruction of property. All lives matter. The BLM May have had good intentions, but it has long lost its in ocence. It is largely criminal and anti- American now.
I will no longer use your airline for transportation.
(I support fair treatment and non-discrimination for all – including Blacks! But there is no way I support a destructive and criminal element like BLM.
The decision to allow American Airlines crew members to wear BLM pins while on duty is one that I do not support. My family and I are DONE with American Airlines.
You are weak and submissive to allow a fascist organization to dictate your policy. It should be your job to filter those complaining and judge what’s legitimate and what’s lies and manipulation