The Moodie Davitt Report may bear the names of its Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and long-time President (and since 2015 Co-Owner) Dermot Davitt, but there is a lot more to the company than its two leaders.
Our diverse and inclusive, multi-talented, multi-cultural 24-member team (including regular freelancers and consultants) is based across numerous locations, including Hong Kong, Hainan, Ireland, Rhodes (Greece), Wales, England and the Philippines.
They speak eight languages between them and collectively represent the leading travel retail B2B publisher and events company with distinction across administration & finance, editorial, events, film, research, sales and technology.
We are pleased to introduce the team in this regular column. Please meet our New York-born, London-based FAB and International Account Manager Maya Feeney.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My older brother Max and I were born in New York, where our parents grew up. When I was one, we moved to Nice in the south of France. In 2005, we relocated again to San Francisco, and then finally settled in Brussels where I spent most of my teenage years.
Growing up, I spoke Brazilian Portuguese with my mom and French and English with my dad and I was fortunate to attend both international and French schools abroad.
I have four siblings and I am eternally grateful for them as they have taught me so much through their own unique personalities and ways in which they see the world. I now live in peaceful Chiswick (West London) by the Thames River, surrounded by beautiful parks.
When did you join The Moodie Davitt Report?
I am relatively new to the working world, having graduated in June last year in Drama and Performing Arts from London South Bank University. Later in the summer last year a lovely little dog called Milo came into my life. He’s a lively Papillon (French for ‘butterfly’), a breed known for their big wing-shaped ears.
Milo and I were out walking one day and we met up with Irene Revilla [The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher] who has since become a close dog walking friend.
Milo fell in love with her extremely well-dressed little Poochon, Coco, and over conversation Irene mentioned The Moodie Davitt Report was looking for someone to join the commercial team and oversee F&B accounts.
I was very interested… and the rest, as they say, is history. If it involves serving and responding to client’s needs, I’m in. I joined The Moodie Davitt Report in November 2023 and it’s been an exciting journey ever since.
What is your role?
I am FAB and International Account Manager, working closely with Irene, who has been an exceptional mentor, guiding me through the exciting F&B industry.
Our upcoming FAB + Hospitality Conference is an exciting one as it’s the only global event dedicated to the airport food & beverage sector. It offers a wonderful platform for exchanging ideas, fostering collaborations and exploring new avenues in the ever-evolving fields of airport F&B and airport hospitality.
This year’s conference is set to make waves as we bring it to the heartland of the F&B sector: the USA, specifically Ontario, Southern California. Anticipation is high and we’re expecting FAB 2024 to be bigger and more impactful than ever before.
To me, business is all about engaging with people, learning from them, and growing together as a result
A highlight of your time with The Moodie Davitt Report?
One of the best aspects of working here is the diversity of our team and the fact that I learn something new every single day. I absolutely love working with my clients; they are incredibly kind, and I am always excited to chat with them.
What is your approach to work, your business philosophy?
To me, business is all about engaging with people, learning from them, and growing together as a result.
What is it that makes you tick?
I’m a perfectionist, which has both its upsides and downsides. I have also been told I am quite high energy which can also come with its own perks and disadvantages.
How important is leisure time and out of work interests?
Very! I love spending time with family and friends, eating good food and spending time at the park with my Milo.
I also love riding horses. I shared that pastime with my sister Nina and feel at my luckiest and happiest when I am riding.
A must-have in duty free?
Cosmetics for sure! Anything from a good moisturiser to a nice lip gloss is sure to put a smile on my face.
And a desert island choice of music and book?
If I had to pick one song, I would probably go for Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin’s Respect. It’s upbeat, it’s fun and it’s my jam.
The book would have to be Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. It’s a beautiful story about a girl who grows up in a marsh on the North Carolina coast. Plus, it might even offer some survival tips if I were stranded on an island. ✈
Previously on Meet The Moodie Davitt team
Introducing Administration and Events Support Manager Kristyn Branisel
Introducing Associate Director Events Vincci Chung
Introducing Associate Editor Camille Bersola
Introducing Development and Systems Operations Director Matt Willey
Introducing Reporter Ameesha Raizada
Introducing China Chief Representative Zhang Yimei
Introducing Vice President Sales Sarah Genest
