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!

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!

Mark Lees

Director, International Programs

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

Operations Manager

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!

Gareth Hope

J1 Programs Recruiter

Gareth has a real passion for the Hopsitality Industry. He worked for Walt Disney World on the Cultural Representative Program for one year, followed by a few years in Food and Beverage and Events Management. He is very excited to connect great hospitality industry talent with the fantastic opportunities that Yummy Jobs' client list offer!

Hobbies Going to gigs, Playing Golf, Spending time with friends and family

Interests Sports – mainly Football, Golf, Ice Hockey and F1, discovering new music, Travelling

Top tip for Applicants Be positive, be professional, work hard and don’t be afraid to take the step. It’s an experience you will never forget!

Meredith Dale

J1 Talent Acquisitions Manager

Meredith joined the team in 2021, after working closely with the J1 intern and H2B programs at Biltmore Estate. She received her Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management & her Master’s in Organizational Leadership. She has a passion for both the hospitality industry and Human Resources, and is always eager to connect with young professionals to discuss the amazing opportunities Yummy Jobs has to offer!

Hobbies | Traveling, reading, hiking

Interests | Spending time at the beach, being with family and friends

Top tip for Applicants | Go in with a positive mindset and do not be afraid to ask questions!

Annie Dunning

Education Programs Manager

My focus is to help nurture and develop young people to be the best they can be.

Using my years as a Lecturer and internship officer at Universities and Colleges in the subject of Hospitality and Business, I am able to provide a few tips…..

Put in place an action plan to ensure you have the best outcomes for yourself and develop those pathways to your happy place … and ultimately your goal
Recognise your soft skills and develop those that you need to become fully confident
Always nurture your friends and stay in touch, they will always be there and can help to broaden your horizons!

Hobbies | Stand up paddle boarding, Hiking, mindfulness.

Top tip for Applicants | Writing a story of your experiences, will prepare you for interviews situations.

Dawn McKinney

Senior Recruiter - International & US College Program, Business Development

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.

Neus Flores

Recruitment Coordinator

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

Social Media Exec - Recruitment Coordinator

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 social media 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!

Gabrielle Hernandez

H2B Program Coordinator

Born in Key West, FL but currently living in Southwest, FL, Gabrielle was surrounded by tourism and hospitality all of her life. Gabrielle completed her Bachelor of Hospitality Management in December 2022 and comes with experience in the non-profit and lodging industries. She is passionate about meeting new people and creating memorable experiences for others through hospitality and service.

Hobbies Spending time with family/friends, cooking, and going to the beach

Interests Music, Travel, Food (all types!), and History

Top tip for Applicants Be confident, prepared, and do not be afraid to ask questions!

Laura Langwell

H-2B Administrator

During her career to date, Laura has worked across a few different industries and sectors. The common thread for Laura is that she has always enjoyed being in a role that facilitates individuals' ability to develop themselves and she enjoys seeing people grow in their lives.

She’s very excited about the opportunity to support the H2B seasonal work programs, to recruit amazing staff, and to support our US partners.

Laura lives and enjoys life in Asheville, North Carolina and shares her days with her dog Joey enjoying nature and friends.

Hobbies | Game nights with friends, movies, puzzles and enjoying new restaurants.

Interests | Real estate, traveling and exploring the mountains of western North Carolina

Top tip for Applicants | Always be yourself and enjoy all this opportunity has to offer. Be professional, work hard and stay positive.

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.

Jennifer Reid

International Programs Coordinator

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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.

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