Employee Spotlight: Yasmine Leyakatalie‑Charles, Guest Experience

Editors Note: As we wrap up National Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate Yasmine Leyakatalie-Charles and her proud St. Lucian heritage, an inspiring reminder of the rich cultures that make our TPA family so vibrant.

If you've ever crossed paths with Yasmine Leyakatalie-Charles, Guest Experience Supervisor at Tampa International Airport, chances are she greeted you with a smile that could brighten any day. Yasmine is known throughout the Airport for her upbeat personality, quick laugh, and natural talent for making travelers feel welcome.

"If you want a happy moment, come find Yasmine," she says. "I'll take that sadness and turn it into a big happy face."

From the Sea to the Sky

Before joining the TPA family in 2023, Yasmine spent 15 adventurous years traveling the world with Carnival Cruise Line. She began as a photo lab technician but quickly moved into guest-facing roles thanks to her infectious energy and people skills. Life at sea taught her discipline, crowd management, and how to create joy under pressure.

"You had to love what you were doing to make it work," she said. "We learned safety drills, teamwork, and how to make guests feel like they were on vacation even when we were working around the clock."

That experience proved to be the perfect foundation for her career at Tampa International Airport.

"The Airport reminds me of the cruise ships," Yasmine said. "Every day is different, every guest has a story, and we get to be part of helping them reach their destination."

Finding Her Place at TPA

After moving to Florida from St. Lucia, Yasmine worked in retail management before discovering her true calling in aviation hospitality. She started as a Customer Service Representative and quickly advanced to GuestExperience Supervisor, overseeing a team of more than 20 representatives who assist passengers across all areas of the airport.

Her team's mission is simple but vital: to ensure every traveler's journey through TPA is as smooth and memorable as possible.

"When we step onto the floor, it's like we're on stage," she said. "We're here to make people smile, ease their stress, and give them an experience they'll remember. That's what sets Tampa apart. It's personal."