Donna Meads-Barlow has always worked in the same industry as myself, and our businesses are even in the same franchise/affiliate group, but Donna came blazing into my world almost six years ago now when my eldest son was struck with Type 1 Diabetes. T1D came out of nowhere and we were shell shocked as a family, and Donna immediately reached out to me to offer her support. This amazingly generous and caring lady is a trailblazer, attaining amazing things to help those with T1D and to support their families as well as running one of Australia’s most successful travel agency groups.

So who is Donna Barlow? Let’s find out what makes this amazing lady tick, as once you’ve been introduced, you’ll never forget her amazing spirit, big heart and inspiring business acumen.

Can you tell us a little about your career progression? How did you get your start in the travel industry? How long has Donna Barlow Travel been operating now?

Finishing School in 1979 I knew I always wanted to be in Travel.  My family background was in the interior design business which gave me great foundations for Sales and my passion was to Travel.  Fresh out of school, my first job was with the Rural Bank as a trainee, with a promise after completion of probation, I would be transferred the travel department.  That didn’t happen!  A meeting with HR in Martin Place made clear to me that Women join the bank and eventually become ‘part-time tellers’ when they go off to have babies.  I thought to myself, this most certainly was not the career path I had intended – so I resigned from the bank and I confidently walked the streets of Sydney knocking on every single Travel related business door asking to talk with Management and offering my “can-do – give me a try; prepared to do anything” determination.  I began with learning the grass-roots of Travel as a Girl Friday which included cleaning the office and I had a day a week down in the Eastern Suburbs processing visas for clients.  My eagerness soon saw me behind a desk learning the ropes of consulting – my passion – the World.   In 1987 I bought into a Jetset franchise business that I managed at the time and this year the Donna Barlow Travel Group celebrated our 30 years Anniversary and Won Best Travel Management Company at the National Travel Industry Awards.

What would you say is your defining career achievement or the thing you are most proud of?

Peers recognition of our Business as a leader has been one of our greatest achievements. I say “our business” simply because I truly believe that my team’s performance and delivery of a superior service and keeping abreast of the market is critical to the success of any business.  Each year I feel privileged to be amongst the Top travel companies as both a finalist and Winner in the AFTA/NTIA Awards.  Career Highlight is the sweetness of winning – a direct tribute to my team, many of which have been with DBT for more than 20 years.

What have been the biggest challenges to success you’ve encountered professionally?

Being in Travel brings world challenges.  I have seen many young people come into travel over the years with a passion to travel and we are fortunate because travel we do; however, being in travel brings us close encounters with revolving world politics and natural disasters that we have had to learn to navigate our way successfully.  Over the years together with my amazing team DBT has jumped through the hoops of Pilot strikes, Gulf wars, the stock-exchange crash, September 11 and that’s just to name a few.   Globalisation has made our world a much smaller place and the challenge of remaining at the forefront in the industry in evolving technology is paramount.  My biggest challenge came when I lost my 17 year old daughter in late 2011 to diabetes complications.  It was then that I was faced with the decision to back myself and my team and venture into the world of philanthropy and chasing the dream of life-saving technology for people that live with Type 1 Diabetes.  Taking this direction meant my passion of 35 years in travel to some degree I had to hand over to my team to manage so I could pursue my goal of ensuring what happened to Daniella would not happen to another family.

Can you tell us about your Philanthropy efforts? 

As well as being a Philanthropist, I am also the Biological mother to 3 children and an adult step-son.  My personal journey as a parent and philanthropist began in 1994 with the birth of our beautiful daughter Daniella.  Daniella (fondly known by her friends as Danii) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 5 and lived a full and vibrant life travelling the world with her 2 brothers and my husband & I.  Danii was a lively strawberry blonde, year 12 student, a leader in the Australian Girls Choir and loved life! DANII had just commenced her HSC and had aspirations of a singing career. Sadly, all her dreams were shattered on November 8th 2011, when her life was suddenly cut short. That spring night, DANII went to bed a happy, beautiful, vibrant 17 year old teenager – and never woke up.  At just 17, she had her whole life before her. Diabetes took that away from her, and it took her away from us.”  On the day Danii left us, we learned from her doctor that there was technology in other parts of the world that could have prevented DANII’s death.  As her parents, we knew what we had to do – through our own family tragedy, as a mother and business woman I embarked on my philanthropy journey with a specific mission to do everything possible to prevent another life being cut short. Through her passing, DANII gave our family a parting gift – the inspiration to create a lasting legacy in her name and the courage to offer today’s T1D’s the care and safety they need to help them manage their diabetes.  To help T1D’s live the normal, long and enjoyable life they deserve. This gift is today known as #daniisgift.  After much lobbying for the DANII Foundation, April 1st 2017 saw the Australian Govt fund life-saving Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) for all children under 21.  DANII has since launched the #NOMOREFEAR campaign to continue to lobby Government for funding for all Australian’s aged 21 and over.  Additionally, DANII now runs a Type 1 Diabetes Intense learning education programme called the Jelly Bean Cruise bringing together Medical Experts and T1D families to learn how to better manage their life-long disease.  As a parent, I am extremely focussed on creating a better quality of life for all that live with type 1 diabetes.  I know that my angel is guiding me and is proud of the enormous achievements we have made for this community in her name-sake.

As DANII often said: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain

With the benefit of wisdom, what advice would you give your 21 y/o self when you were starting out in your career?

Do what you Love, love what you do and always follow your dream!  We have a joke in the office that is called “focus”!  Believing that anything is possible if you “focus”.  Having a mentor or someone that you really admire in their career, in their life-skills and in the path they walk is inspiring and rewarding.  Aim High and believe in yourself.  Be prepared to always learn; take time to really examine your challenges and have a life-plan.  Success in Travel is paramount to adding value, especially today in a world of educated clientele that have google at their fingertips.  You have to become a Master in selling the Travel dream offering expertise and tips that can only be bought from a professional.  Always remember, every single person you come in contact with is an opportunity to make a difference in our world.

How would you describe your business/management style? What sort of things are most important to you professionally?

When you create a business I think it’s important that all your team shares your company vision and culture.  From early days in my career I was encouraged to have a business plan and a clear set of company Policies and procedures unique to our service delivery.  Having buy-in from your team on the vision and goals is critical to the success of your business.  Flexibility, empathy, leadership and ethics are all cultural paths necessary for success.

Who are the people you admire most professionally or in any field/walk of life?

My mother was one of the greatest sales people I have ever known.  Mum taught me well and she has weathered many challenges in her life that I admire and respect.  My daughter Daniella embraced every opportunity, whilst living with the challenges of Type 1 diabetes, Danii loved and lived every day of her life to the fullest.  My mentor in business is one of my first Bosses – Karin Van der pligt who has always been there for me throughout my career.  My mentor in Philanthropy is the great Susan Alberti.  I take inspiration from people that are successful, humble and focussed on leaving the world in a better place.

For you, what’s the best thing about working in the travel industry?

For me the best thing about working in travel is the opportunity for me to learn and teach something new every day.   I have always got the next holiday planned and being in travel affords me the opportunity to keep the dreams alive.

What’s your proudest achievement in the last five years, and why? What did you learn along the way? 

Hearing Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt refer to the launch of CGM funding as DANII’s gift and acknowledging my critical role in such a major funding initiative.  Not only did the Government promise funding of $54M in the 2016 Federal Election but the ALP promised $84M. Our work at the DANII Foundation received bi-partisan support and is considered an ongoing policy of the federal opposition.  All of our ‘door knocking’ in federal parliament and arranging visits in electorate offices across the country had paid off. I am so very proud that our tragedy could result in providing thousands of Australians with greater comfort, genuine life-saving safety and quality of life improvements for whole families.  I have had the considerable privilege to play a role in transforming lives and for that I am immensely proud. Whilst the DANII Foundation is just 6 years old the advocacy to achieve CGM funding took less than two years.  I understand from many others that this is a significant achievement.  I had no prior understanding of the political process nor the process for achieving major health funding.

I learnt that there are considerable misconceptions and gaps in knowledge at even the highest levels of decision making.  I learnt that the political world is often hard to infiltrate but when you are passionately persistent that large and meaningful change is possible.

I have also learnt that being a large and established organisation does not necessarily guarantee success.  Our organisation was a fledgling with very little in the beginning, but our genuine desire to help make change was seen by thousands of families living with Type 1 diabetes. They have come and supported our work and been central to our success.

My experience shows me the importance of being authentic and courageous and never being fearful to ask for what you need. So many people wished us well but were defeated in suggesting the government ‘would never fund this technology’. While my head acknowledged it would be hard and I was unsure of the political environment; I used my business smarts as a business owner of 30 years and was unafraid to show my heart and demonstrate why our work was so important. I believe it was a combination of head and heart that led to our success.

What’s next on the agenda for the DANII Foundation?

DANII’s Army is heading to Canberra to hold a National Type 1 Diabetes advocacy day on Wednesday October 24.  DANII Foundation Friends will share their personal stories with MP’s including the Health Minister and be part of the groundswell to demand support for #CGM funding for over 21’s.

There is always lots on the agenda for DANII supporting Australians Living with Type 1!  We also have our Annual Golf Day coming up at St Michaels in Sydney on Friday October 19^th and World Diabetes Day Celebration on November 14^th, our Annual Jelly Bean Fundraising Ball at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on 2^nd June and our Next Jelly Bean Educational Cruise departs Brisbane on 5^th December 2019.

What do you do to unwind when you aren’t working? What is most important to you outside the office?

Of cause I love to Travel!  Experiencing exotic horizons and new cultures has always been my passion.  My husband and I have a fabulous boat that we escape and rejuvenate at every opportunity.  Being close to the water makes me feel at peace.

What one thing gets you through a stressful day (is it a strong cup of coffee, half an hour in the gym etc) What does the trick?

Knowing that we have our boat just 30 minutes away is a great escape from the office and daily stresses.  I love to grab a book, sit in the sunshine and breathe in the beauty of nature.  I can do all this with my husband and our boys and know that our next family holiday is not too far away.

Donna is also 2018 International Women’s Day Winner, Telstra Business Women’s finalist and nominated for Australian of the Year.

To check out more on Donna – head to the following websites:

www.dbt.com.au
www.ilovecruising.com.au
www.cruisescene.com.au
www.flightscene.com.au

And to find out more about the DANII Foundation,
and see how you can make a difference – head to:

www.danii.org.au

or Facebook
@DANIIT1D