Distinguished in the travel and communications industries, Jamie Santillo’s career has been marked by a series of progressive leadership roles and entrepreneurial ventures. In 2019, she founded Adventures by Jamie, where she continues to serve as owner. Under Ms. Santillo’s leadership, this agency has achieved multimillion-dollar sales for two consecutive years and has been named the Best Travel Agency in Florida for three years in a row. She leads a team of more than 100 agents committed to expanding opportunities for travelers. That dedication to accessibility and inclusivity is especially important to Ms. Santillo because of her own disability, which has often led others to underestimate her. She considers the success of Adventures by Jamie to be her most significant professional achievement and a testament to her ability to overcome challenges.
Beyond her own business, Ms. Santillo has been affiliated with Wanderlust Campus since 2022, serving for several years as a lead development coach. In 2026, she was promoted to the position of director of client experience. In this capacity, Ms. Santillo is instrumental in mentoring aspiring travel professionals and fostering an environment of continuous learning and collaboration. She emphasizes growth through her approach to networking and mentorship, drawing on the expertise of industry leaders to guide her team and clients toward positive outcomes.
Outside of her engagements in the travel industry, Ms. Santillo has owned and operated JS Creative Concepts & Marketing since 2016. Through this endeavor, she applies her expertise in branding and strategic communications in support of businesses across various industries. Ms. Santillo’s earlier experience includes time as an editor and expert freelance writer for LivePerson, a public relations specialist for Shriners Hospitals for Children Tampa, and a desktop publisher for AchieveGlobal (now part of Korn Ferry). Her career began in 1997 with an internship at Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia Inc.).
Ms. Santillo’s performance in the field was born of her academic journey. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of South Florida in 2000. Subsequently, Ms. Santillo earned a Master of Arts in management from Bellevue University in 2005. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications through Wanderlust Campus, including as a travel professional and a travel industry coach.
Widely recognized for her achievements within the industry, Ms. Santillo has received consistent praise and formal commendation. In addition to being named Best Travel Agency in Florida three times, Adventures by Jamie was lauded as the Best Travel Agency Tampa Bay in 2022 and 2023, the Best Travel Agency Wesley Chapel in 2023 and 2024, and one of the Top Five Woman-Owned Companies in America by WomELLE in 2025. WomELLE also presented Ms. Santillo with an Advocate for Equality Award in 2025. Most recently, she ranked 12th on Feedspot’s Top 25 Disabled Travel Instagram Influencers List in 2026.
Excited by her future endeavors, Ms. Santillo plans to trademark Adventures by Jamie in the years ahead. She views this as just one step in growing the company; she also looks forward to engaging with tourism boards and industry partners to promote a more inclusive world for travelers everywhere.