With a strong belief that everyone is entitled to the experiences they want, not just the ones they are dealt, Gina Stern founded d_parture spa to give travelers a better airport experience. She opened her first location November of 2000 at Newark Liberty International airport Terminal C and seven years later, the response has been overwhelming. By February of 2003 Gina had added 2 additional locations, Newark International Airport Terminal B and Orlando International Airport Terminal A.

Under Gina’s direction d_parture spa broke the Million Dollar revenue barrier in 2006 and is poised for major expansion. www.departurespa.com

In March of 2007 d_parture spa was nominated one of the fastest growing companies 2003-2006 by INC. 5000. In 2007 the airport spa concept was recognized by the airport industry as the hottest concept to bring to airports, signaling support of the growth for the airport spa concept.

Gina is an award recipient and inspirational speaker for the Make Mine a $Million Business program- the only national initiative committed to the growth needs of post-start-up, women owned businesses with less than $1 Million in annual revenue. www.countmein.org. Most recently Gina was accepted to the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth MBE program.

Gina is widely recognized in the industry and press as the pioneer of the airport spa concept. Gina has been featured on Montel Williams Sept 2007 “Rags to Riches” discussing her journey to success from an inner city youth and high school drop out to college graduate and CEO of a Million Dollar Enterprise. This experience has led Gina to found the Trust Project.

The Trust Project is a Vehicle of empowerment for today’s at risk youth. The project was created to inspire an otherwise challenged segment of our population to dream of their futures, develop trust amongst peers and disengage the common cycle of deprivation encountered by young inner city minorities.

Gina has been featured widely in International media on the topic of women’s economic empowerment through business and is an expert on the topic of airport spa’s and travel shortcuts.  Gina speaks nationally to women in business, emerging leaders and inner city youth.

Recent engagements and invitations include the Wealthy girl Summit www.wealthygirlsummit.com , Count Me In-Make Mine a Million Dollar Business Makeover events, Marist College, Yale University, Office Depot Success Strategies tour, Union High School Union NJ, Sisters Soaring to Success- One Day Empowerment for Leaders.