Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, announced her retirement during the company’s annual CoNexion conference in Austin, Texas, this week. She will remain in her role until spring 2027, when she steps down after 22 years with the company. Before joining Nexion in 2004 as VP of Operations, Friedman spent 15 years at Sabre, progressing from front-line agent to agency manager in Toronto before taking on sales and leadership roles.
Friedman’s departure marks the end of an era for Nexion, which she helped shape from VP of Operations in 2004 to its current position as a leading host agency in the travel industry. In her announcement, she credited Nexion’s growth to its independent advisors, partners, and a culture of support that accommodates advisors of all sizes and specialties. She emphasized that Nexion had become “the best host agency in the travel industry” by supporting a sense of belonging among members with diverse business models and specializations.
“Together with our preferred partners, we have given our members the tools, relationships, and support they need to build something lasting,” she said. “I have also had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team whose talent and commitment to our members has been the driving force of Nexion’s success.” Her leadership also positioned her as a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events, where she shared insights on advisor advocacy and host agency innovation.
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Legacy of Advocacy and Industry Leadership
Her tenure aligns with Nexion’s expansion into a tight-knit professional community—one where advisors frequently cite camaraderie as a key reason for staying. That sense of belonging didn’t happen by accident. Friedman’s leadership prioritized advocacy for advisors. She served on the ASTA Board of Directors (including as vice chair and chair), the Travel Institute Board of Trustees, and multiple supplier advisory boards, including the CLIA STARBoard and the PATH Board of Directors.
Recognition followed. Friedman has received awards including the TravelAge West WAVE Award for Excellence in Leadership (2022), the World Travel & Tourism Council Outstanding Contribution Award (2021), and the Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). She also holds the Barbara O’Hara Award for Advocacy (presented in 2015), the Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award, and other honors recognizing her role in shaping industry standards. Outside work, she’s the godmother of AmaWaterways’ ship AmaViola.
Sustaining Trust in a Changing Industry
Her retirement leaves a void. The travel industry’s host agencies often struggle to retain top talent, but Friedman’s departure isn’t just a loss—it’s a reminder of how deeply her leadership reshaped Nexion. Independent advisors, many of whom operate solo or in small teams, rely on host agencies for stability. Nexion’s model thrives on trust, and Friedman’s tenure reinforced that trust by treating advisors as partners, not just clients. The challenge now is whether her successors can sustain the culture she built, especially as the industry faces rising competition and advisor burnout.
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J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Nexion’s parent company Internova Travel Group, called Friedman’s impact “transformative.” In a statement, he noted that her vision turned Nexion into one of the industry’s most respected host agencies, with a reputation for community that advisors and partners frequently highlight. “Her legacy will continue long past her retirement,” he said, adding that her advocacy had created a model where advisors felt valued and heard.
The search for Friedman’s replacement has begun. Nexion has not announced a timeline for the transition, but the company’s next president will inherit a well-established operation, and the expectation to uphold the standards Friedman set.