When thoughtful leadership is missing, even the best ideas can fall short, especially in an industry like travel and tourism, where every detail shapes an experience. Without a clear vision and purpose, opportunities can slip away, and what should be a meaningful journey can risk becoming just another trip. But with the right leadership, everything shifts. Strong leadership brings direction, empathy, and purpose—turning plans into impactful experiences that stay with people long after the journey ends.
This is exactly where Lissy Donald, Managing Director of Compass International Tours, makes a difference. At the heart of the company’s success, she drives a powerful vision centered on purposeful, educational travel. Under her guidance, Compass has grown its presence across the UAE, GCC, and India, curating over 100 student-focused tours each year that seamlessly blend learning with cultural exploration. Lissy leads major collaborations, including with the UAE Space Agency and the US Space & Rocket Center, resulting in the launch of the Space and Rocketry Academy (SARA UAE), which delivers immersive STEM programs to young learners.
Her empathetic leadership style, strategic mindset, and deep understanding of youth development have earned Compass lasting partnerships with leading institutions like GEMS Education, Taleem, and Aldar. Recognized by the office of Sheikh Hamdan for her work with gifted students, Lissy continues to redefine what student travel can be—rooted in purpose, designed to inspire, and built to create meaningful impact.
Vision for Transformative Educational Travel
Lissy Donald’s journey into the travel and tourism industry has been driven by a deep personal passion and a strong professional purpose. She has long believed in the power of travel to transform lives—especially for young people—by fostering learning, growth, and global understanding. From an early age, she was drawn to roles that brought people together, seeing travel not just as a career but as a calling. Captivated by how travel opens minds and changes perspectives, she entered the industry with a desire to learn and make a difference. Over time, that desire evolved into a broader vision—not just to plan trips, but to craft meaningful, impactful experiences that spark curiosity and growth in young learners.
The UAE provided the perfect setting for her to turn this vision into reality. Its culture of innovation, diversity, and future-oriented mindset aligned with her goals and inspired her to act. This led to the creation of the SARA UAE, in collaboration with the UAE’s mission of “space education for all.” Through SARA, Lissy Donald offers hands-on STEM learning to help students imagine bold futures in fields like space science and engineering. Her leadership has enabled her to develop purposeful programs that are educational and truly transformative.
Despite the pace and pressure of the industry, she remains focused on delivering travel experiences that go beyond logistics—experiences that inspire, connect, and leave a lasting impact. For Lissy Donald, meaningful travel is about changing how people see the world—and themselves—and the UAE has become the ideal platform to bring that vision to life.
Thoughtful Design, Meaningful Impact
Compass has carved out a unique space, not just because of what they offer, but because of how they approach their work. What sets the company apart is its strong foundation of integrity, attention to detail, and a deep passion for empowering young minds through travel. Every trip is thoughtfully designed with the belief that travel can be a powerful, life-changing experience, especially for students. The focus goes beyond sightseeing—it’s about helping young people grow into confident, curious, and capable future leaders.
While many companies have come and gone with changing trends, Compass has remained steady by staying true to its values. Their success doesn’t rely on flashy marketing but on consistent quality, genuine care, and a commitment to meaningful experiences. For Compass, it’s not just about taking people from one destination to another—it’s about sparking curiosity, building confidence, and leaving a lasting impact. That’s what makes the Compass experience truly different.
Blending Academics with Global Exploration
Compass has significantly impacted tourism and educational travel in the UAE and globally, serving thousands of students, educators, and institutions through carefully curated programs that blend academic learning with cultural exploration. Each year, the company organizes hundreds of experiential tours worldwide—from STEM programs in the U.S. to history and humanities trips across Europe and Asia.
In the UAE, Compass has been instrumental in shaping educational tourism by partnering with schools, ministries, and global organizations to offer transformative travel experiences. The success is evident in the volume of tours and the positive feedback from educators who highlight how these journeys deepen students’ understanding and spark curiosity. At its core, Compass believes in the transformative power of travel and takes pride in making that transformation a reality.
Experiential Learning
Compass is redefining educational travel by creating purpose-driven, meaningful experiences that go far beyond sightseeing. With Lissy Donald’s support, the company is focused on helping students explore the world deeply while discovering their identity and potential. With a vision to reach and inspire people globally, Compass designs experiential journeys that combine hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, cultural immersions, and global competitions like Model UNs. Their programs emphasize education beyond the classroom, building confidence, empathy, and adaptability in students. E
very trip is tailored in collaboration with educators to meet specific goals, budgets, and timelines, while smart technology ensures smooth, engaging travel. A strong focus on safety and growing regional travel across Asia and the Middle East also reflects their commitment to accessibility and well-being. Through these forward-thinking initiatives, Compass continues to lead with purpose, innovation, and impact in the future of global student travel.
Purposeful Travel That Leaves a Lasting Impact
Every successful trip organized by Compass is considered a milestone in itself. Each journey is designed not just to meet logistics but to create a meaningful, lasting impact—helping students grow, build confidence, and view the world through a wider lens. These programs are more than travel experiences; they are life-shaping journeys that leave an imprint on every participant.
Over the years, several key achievements stand out:
- UAE Space Agency Partnership: Launched advanced STEM space education programs, inspiring thousands of students toward space science careers.
- Recognition by Sheikh Hamdan’s Office: Honored for leading a specialized rocketry camp for gifted students, highlighting excellence in educational travel.
- Sharjah Youth Initiatives: Created customized learning journeys to foster leadership, creativity, and global awareness in youth.
These milestones are the result of visionary leadership rooted in empathy, strategic insight, and a deep passion for purposeful travel.
Under this guidance, Compass has cultivated:
- A strong empathy-first approach, ensuring every journey is meaningful for students, educators, and parents.
- A collaborative team culture, where diverse perspectives lead to resilient and creative solutions.
- A firm focus on safety and thoughtful planning is especially important when working with young travelers.
- Long-standing, trust-based partnerships with institutions, schools, and local stakeholders.
With a focus on inclusivity and intentional design, Compass continues to grow while staying true to its mission: to empower the next generation through experiential education, cross-cultural understanding, and transformative travel.
Partnerships
Compass has built strong partnerships to enhance its educational travel experiences. One key collaboration was with the US Space & Rocket Center (USSRC), through which Compass became the regional partner for the Middle East and India. Along with this partnership, Compass also partnered with COSMODOME in Canada and, Euro Space Center in Belgium. Another important association was with the UAE Space Agency. Compass launched the Space and Rocketry Academy in the UAE, designed to inspire students aged 9 to 18 by offering hands-on learning in space science and exploration.
In addition to these initiatives, Compass has strengthened its role in educational travel by working closely with schools and institutions. It serves as the official travel partner for organizations like GEMS Education, Taleem Education, Aldar, and Fortes, helping to design travel programs that support academic goals across Dubai, the GCC, and India. Looking ahead, Compass remains focused on expanding its reach and continuing to deliver innovative, impactful educational journeys for students around the world.
Compass also forged partnerships with the Think Science Program by the UAE government: Partnered and participated for three consecutive years, reaching out to 1000s of students, educating them about Space education. Destination Imagination: Compass partnered with this US based 21st century Learning program for 6 years, in the UAE and India
Curiosity at the Core
Staying innovative, for the team at Compass International Tours, means staying curious, open-minded, and adaptable. They continuously learn and evolve by embracing new technologies, refreshing their customer engagement strategies, and keeping a close eye on global travel trends. The company actively brings in young, tech-savvy professionals who bring fresh energy and help the team stay updated with the latest tools and digital platforms. Regular in-house training sessions on AI, software, and emerging tech are an essential part of the company culture. Periodic team meetings also provide a space to share ideas, review updates, and refine strategies, ensuring they remain proactive and forward-thinking rather than simply responding to change.
Culture of Confidence and Recognition
For Lissy Donald, leadership means building trust, fostering ownership, and enabling personal growth. She believes that people thrive when genuinely supported, so she creates a culture where every team member feels confident, empowered to make decisions, and valued for their contributions. Attuned to hidden potential, she offers encouragement that helps others shine. Her leadership is rooted in open communication, clear delegation, and providing the tools and guidance her team needs to grow professionally and personally.
In a fast-paced, people-driven industry, she prioritizes adaptability by equipping her team with real-time information and responsive support. Whether managing last-minute challenges or exceeding client expectations, she ensures every effort is recognized. Through consistent feedback, mentorship, and appreciation, she develops leaders at all levels, grounded in the belief that the human touch is what truly defines exceptional service.
Leading Beyond Labels
When Lissy Donald sits across the table, she doesn’t lead with gender—she leads as a professional. Her focus is on finding solutions, creating value, and building something meaningful. To her, success is simple: if a decision benefits everyone and aligns with company values, it’s worth pursuing; if not, it’s left behind, regardless of who suggests it. Lissy never sought shortcuts or special treatment as a woman. Her seat at the table was earned through hard work, persistence, and consistently showing up—even in tough times.
She believes in real equality, reflected in how people think, lead, and collaborate. Having shared space with world leaders, including the UAE Prime Minister and NASA astronauts, she has never felt overlooked. Respect, she believes, is earned through competence, clarity, and commitment.
While men and women may differ, success in her field relies not on physical strength but on emotional resilience, insight, and ability. That’s what she brings—every time. For Lissy Donald, integrity isn’t just a value; it defines her. And while some may quietly question a woman’s leadership, she gives those doubts no space. What matters is delivering success for herself, her team, and the vision they’re building.
Travel with Heart, Vision, and Meaning
Lissy Donald emphasizes that success goes far beyond logistics—it’s about people, purpose, and impact.
She shares that for anyone stepping into this dynamic space, some key values and practices can truly shape a fulfilling journey:
- Prioritize people over places: Travel is about shaping human experiences and lasting memories, not just planning trips.
- Stay curious and adaptable: Embrace change and keep learning to stay inspired and relevant.
- Lead with empathy and integrity: Trust grows through genuine care, especially during challenges.
- Remain resilient under pressure: Calm, solution-oriented responses make the biggest impact.
- Stay connected to your purpose: Your “why” fuels passion and guides you through tough times.
- Aim to create impact, not just itineraries: Intentional travel transforms lives and builds meaningful connections.
Lissy Donald believes that this industry offers more than a career—it offers a chance to make a real difference, one journey at a time.
Lissy Donald’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Purpose Fuels Progress: Always connect your work to a deeper mission—meaningful impact creates lasting value.
- Curiosity Drives Innovation: Stay open, adaptable, and eager to learn—growth comes from continuous exploration.
- Lead with Empathy and Integrity: True leadership builds trust, empowers people, and earns respect through action.
- Design for Transformation, Not Just Delivery: Go beyond logistics—create experiences that shape minds and spark change.
- Resilience is the Real Strength: Show up with clarity and courage, especially in challenging times.
