Professional Services: GLORIA BOHAN

Inspired by her honeymoon cruise aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2, Bohan started Omega World Travel in Fredericksburg in 1972 as a storefront travel agency. In 2021, Bohan was recognized by Washingtonian magazine in its Washington’s Most Powerful Women list. One of the nation’s top travel firms, Omega, which has 285 employees, is also among the largest woman-owned businesses in the D.C. area. It generated $248 million in 2020 revenue, according to the Washington Business Journal. In fall 2020, Omega launched a network for independent consultants, an area that grew as travel agents were laid off during the start of the pandemic.

A hands-on owner, Bohan focuses on strategic partnerships and the long-term direction of the organization. About 40% of Omega’s business comes from the U.S. government. In addition to federal clients, the company serves corporate, meeting and leisure clients throughout the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. The company also owns subsidiary Cruise.com, an online cruise-booking platform.

Bohan is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College and served on the college’s board of trustees from 2003 to 2013. In December 2021, Travel Weekly honored Bohan with a lifetime achievement award.