Meet the Team!

Jason Smith

Founder & CEO

Jason is the CEO and founder of Yummy Jobs. Having completed a Management Training Program at The Walt Disney World Resort several years ago, he is a hospitality expert. Jason is also a co-founder of the Yummy Jobs Hospitality Foundation.

Hobbies | Vinyasa Hot Yoga, Cycling, Disney Marathon Training

Interests | Meeting new people - creating life changing opportunities

Top tip for Applicants | Always push outside your comfort zone - you'll never look back!

Mark Lees

VP, International Programs and Operations

Mark joined the team in 2017 having previously completed five separate USA work Programs; including Disney’s Cultural Exchange Program, Disney’s Cultural Representative Program and the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort J1 Program. He completed his Bachelors Degree in International Travel & Tourism Business and hold a Masters in Human Resource Management.

Hobbies | Playing Football, Tennis & Visiting Theme Parks

Interests | Following St Johnstone football club around the country

Top tip for Applicants | Share your motivations and be proud of your past accomplishments. Our goal is to help you succeed..

Lucy-Ann Huskisson

Director, Visa Compliance and Operations

Having completed the Disney Cultural Representative Program in 2013 - 2014, as well as two previous J1 programs in the USA, Lucy-Ann oversees the operational elements in offering the J1 Programs.

Hobbies | Writing, Photography, Reading and Travelling

Interests | Musicals, Escape Rooms, Shakespeare and Disney

Top tip for Applicants | Make sure you read all the program eligibility requirements before applying; if you are not sure about anything, ask!

Brandon Clifford

J1 International Programs Recruitment Manager

Brandon is a results-driven Strategic Business Development professional with significant experience in international sales, marketing and recruitment management. Brandon has accumulated expertise and proficiency through leading Business Development strategies of high-capacity organisations. Brandon has proven success in developing and implementing strategies that drive revenue growth, and enhance organizational reputation and recruitment in the African and European hospitality markets.

Hobbies Enjoying the outdoors, hiking with his dogs, the gym, paddle & spending time with friends and family

Interests Foodie, music lover (all genres!), going to concerts & wine (a member of a local wine club)

Monica da Silva

J1 Programs Manager

Monica brings over a decade of international experience in Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism, having worked and lived across five countries on three continents. With a degree in Anthropology, Monica is driven by a deep curiosity and passion for people and cultures. Her background in service-oriented and sustainability-driven sectors has refined her ability to connect with individuals, recognize human potential, and build meaningful relationships across a wide range of cultural contexts.

Hobbies Scuba Diving, Hiking, Traveling, Cooking & Photography

Interests Meeting people from all walks of life, discovering new music, trying local cuisines and wines, exploring architectural styles, and immersing myself in new cultures.

Top tip for Applicants Do your homework! Aligning with a hotel’s vision and values not only sets you apart but ensures a more meaningful experience. And always come to interviews prepared - it shows confidence, respect, and professionalism.

Neus Flores

Talent Relationship Manager - LATAM

Born in Mexico but currently living in the UK, Neus holds her degree in Hotel Management and has previously spent time working in Puebla, Paris, Barcelona, Orlando, London, and Edinburgh. In 2015/16 Neus was part of our Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin J1 Program where she trained in the Rooms Division.

Hobbies | Cooking (especially Mexican food), reading, theatre, music

Interests | Travelling home and spending time with friends and family.

Top tip for Applicants | Always be yourself and take any opportunity that makes you feel scared but at the same time excited, you’ll never regret it!

Kirsty Clyne

Brand Specialist & Seasonal Programs Recruiter

Having participated on 2 previous Yummy Jobs programs and with two degrees under her belt, Kirsty combines her passion for social media (especially TikTok), a little bit of Gen-Z flair and her love for our programs to handle all things marketing while helping with recruitment. She’s always keen to see what our participants are getting up to while on their programs, so feel free to drop her an email with any program content that you’d like to share with us!

Hobbies | Going to theme parks, playing with my dogs, and playing video games

Interests | Listening to Taylor Swift, travelling with my friends and social media

Top tip for Applicants | Be friendly and keep it professional! Ask questions and be yourself!

Dawn McKinney

Senior Recruiter & Business Development Partner

As a US Hospitality Professional, I can share industry information in the States as well as our American culture and life. Having spent more than 20 years working within Hotel management, culinary and banquet management, as well as Human Resources, my passions are growing professionals and selecting the correct person for their correct role. I have over 20 years of experience with J1 programs, H2-B filing and program management, and US college recruitment. I’ve created training programs for renowned US properties, and love meeting new people and helping them meet their career goals.

Hobbies | Walking and playing with my dogs, pottery, jigsaw puzzles, and online video games

Interests | Musical theater, travel, cooking, all types of animals, live music and street festivals, and time with family and friends.

Top tip for Applicants | Be positive, don’t be afraid of mistakes as they teach you, and form your own opinions not follow those of others.

Helen Cowart

Work and Travel Employer Relations Lead

Helen is originally from the UK and now lives in Florida. She has over 20 years in guest service roles, 10 of those gained at Walt Disney World. Her journey began in 2004, when she participated in the Walt DIsney World Cultural Representative Program through Yummy Jobs. She then completed a J1 Trainee Program at a 5-star resort in Colorado and additionally pursued her hsopitality career in Canada. Helen recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Hobbies Travelling, cruising, and visiting theme parks

Interests Spending time with her husband and pets, watching Sitcoms and movies repeatedly and collecting 90’s memorabilia (mostly TMNT)

Top tip for Applicants Be yourself, ask questions, be confident in who you are and reach for the stars’

Jessica Bellout

Operations Manager

Jessica has over 20 years of luxury hotel and club management experience as a Chef and Recruiter. Her love of hospitality began when she waited tables during school and grew exponentially when she began her culinary journey to become a chef. Her passion is training young industry professionals. Jessica has 4 years of J1 and H2-B on-site program management experience. She loves building connections and helping individuals fulfill their hospitality goals.

Hobbies Baking with my kids, traveling, and reading

Interests Spending time with my family, theatre, learning about different cultures

Top tip for Applicants Never let fear of the unknown hold you back from new experiences. Be professional and be prepared to ask questions.

Maria Ruiz

H2B Client Services Manager

Maria lives in Miami with her husband and 2 boys.

Her experience has been gained within Legal Compliance and Data Management, and she also has extensive documentation and organizational skills.

Hobbies Traveling, spending time with kids, family and friends.

Interests Classic cars, boxing, and documentaries

Karla Martell

H2B Client Services Manager

Karla Martell has been working in the international education field since 2010 and brings a genuine passion and enthusiasm. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. Originally raised in Yonkers, NY, Karla has called Orlando, FL home for over 20 years.

When she’s not working, Karla loves reading romance novels, hunting for the best shopping deals, and connecting with different cultures. She’s a proud mom to a teenage son, a loving dog mom and auntie, an enthusiastic plant mom, and she enjoys spending quality time with her family whenever she can.

Alexis Smith

Managing Director

Alexis handles Marketing, Client/Candidate Relations and all the rest! She has had her own experiences of a J1 Program in the USA in her 20’s and 2 internships in Italy. She is driven by the Cultural Exchange elements which really help candidates develop the social skills that will kick start their careers and the rest of their lives!

Hobbies | Chocolate, Being on the beach, Yoga

Top tip for Applicants | Be professional. Gain relevant work experience. Sell yourself. Think positive!

Jennifer Reid

International Programs Coordinator

Jen supports our candidates with the finer details of the Programs!

Hobbies | Paint by numbers and jigsaw puzzles

Interests | Caring for my dogs and breeding them

Top tip for Applicants Be honest and down to earth, never be afraid to ask questions, the only wrong question is the one you don’t ask.

Siobhan O'Leary

Chief People Officer

Siobhan has spent over 25 years as a Human Resource Executive, and also has held senior level positions with Hyatt Hotels, Four Season Hotels & Resorts and The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts Corporate. This is where she gained international experience and has the distinction of having developed successful individuals all over the world.

A native of New Orleans who resides in New York City, Siobhan recognizes that values underpin success in every culture. She is committed to an innovative approach toward achieving organizational, financial and individual results.

Hobbies | Travel, cooking, music, laughing

Interests | Spending time with my family

Top tip for Applicants | Approach new situations with curiosity, ask a lot of good questions, don't compromise your personal values.

Jaye Kirby

Accounts and Finance

Jaye manages all the payments and accounts for Yummy participants.

Hobbies | Fitness, Entertaining, Chilling on holiday

Interests | Theatre, Travelling to different places, Eating out, Spending time with my family

Kay Munday

Visa Compliance Specialist

Kay is our Visa Compliance Specialist.

Hobbies | Running, cooking, travelling

Interests | Cricket (my son plays a LOT!!), playing board games and spending quality time with my family.

Top tip for Applicants | Be positive and enthusiastic and enjoy your program and the experience.

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