Who is Encore?
Meet the team. Read our story.
Monique Mardinian
CEO & Founder
Encore is a woman-owned and WBE certified, Corporate Travel Management Company founded in 1976 and acquired by Monique Mardinian in 1987, who dreamed of a travel agency that would provide companies insight into and control over their travel spend. With her background in actuarial science, Monique applied a data-based approach to the corporate travel industry, and hasn’t stopped innovating since. At Encore, we are powered by Zii, the ultimate travel platform. We pride ourselves on our dedication to our customers and their travelers, along with our appetite for new technological solutions.
Meet The Team
Jake Jonassohn
VP of Commercial Strategy
Jake leads our commercial strategy efforts here at Encore. He embodies innovative thinking as well as long-term vision and has a watchful eye on core organizational values. In order to develop, sustain and improve your business these 3 elements need to align. By doing so you: 1- Build a team you would want to join, 2 – Develop services and products you would want to use and 3 – Truly stand by and live up to your mission and values. In this day and age, this is the ideal trifecta, but the secret sauce, according to Jake is seeking opportunities that shadow this same philosophy.Â
He began his career in private equity, learning how to optimize business processes to improve financial performance. He uses that knowledge from a travel perspective to help Encore’s clients achieve their goals. Graduating top of his class from Concordia University, with a degree in Finance.
Jesse Jonassohn
VP of Global Operations
Jesse’s the driving force behind all things related to travel operations, where she’s revolutionizing and streamlining our day-to-day interactions with Travelers —a vital ingredient in our organizational growth.Â
Her dynamic leadership spans various departments, guiding the transition to more efficient processes that our teams have happily embraced. These fresh approaches have proven to be instrumental in our Travel Advisors’ success, reinforcing that a happy Travel Advisor translates to a well supported Traveler. Â
Jesse’s distinctive blend of practical experience and academic expertise, focused on consumer behavior, equips her with a profound understanding of our clients’ movements and next steps, enhancing our operational excellence.
Christian Labonté
CTOÂ
Christian has a remarkable 14-year track record in software development. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, Computer Science from UniversitĂ© Laval and a Master’s in Computer Science from Dalhousie University, Christian led the charge on cutting-edge research, exploring the world of secure multicasting on active virtual private networks. His groundbreaking findings were not just discussed at two prestigious international conferences but also made their way into the pages of two IEEE publications.
Christian’s tech journey kicked off in the dynamic R&D landscapes of industry giants.
As CTO, he’s channeling his innovative leadership into our proprietary tool, Zii- merging academic excellence and hands-on industry experience to deliver what our clients need.
Showrav Das
VP of Finance & Administration
Showrav oversees Encore’s finance and administration functions, bringing a technology-driven approach to strengthen our financial operations. He is instrumental in aligning our financial strategy with Encore’s long-term goals, ensuring that our systems evolve to meet the needs of a growing international business. With a focus on innovation and operational excellence, Showrav’s leadership plays a key role in driving Encore’s global expansion and supporting the company’s vision for 2030.
His extensive experience in the online travel industry allows him to leverage financial strategies that enhance both efficiency and profitability, helping Encore stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market. Showrav’s expertise in optimizing financial systems and his ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies are essential as we continue to grow and expand our global footprint.
Marc-AndrĂ© BrunetÂ
VP of Product
Marc-AndrĂ© is a seasoned product leader with over 17 years of experience, including nearly a decade in the corporate travel industry. As Vice President, Product at Encore Corporate Travel, he leads the evolution of Zii, Encore’s intelligent travel platform, ensuring it delivers personalized, seamless travel experiences with care and impact. He is known for building high-performing global teams and developing innovative, client-focused solutions that drive measurable results.Â
Throughout his career, Marc-AndrĂ© has helped shape travel technology that empowers human connection, solving complex challenges through thoughtful design and strategy. His leadership strengthens our mission to become the world’s most loved travel partner, bringing a system-thinking mindset, deep empathy for users, and a passion for crafting experiences that matter. At the heart of his work is a belief that great products start with listening — and grow through care, clarity, and purpose.Â
Chrisite Thompson
VP of Marketing
Christie Thompson brings a unique perspective to corporate travel, quickly establishing herself as a transformative leader. She combines agility, grit, and care with strategic vision to elevate Encore’s brand and client experience.
With an owner’s mindset, Christie embodies and amplifies Encore’s values with uncompromising compassion.
Mr. Logan
Chief Happiness Officer
Never far from the traveler experience, he gives any road warrior a friendly run for their carry-on. Logan keeps Encore’s energy high as hybrid work grows. His mission: guard home-office morale, cameo in every team huddle, and schedule mandatory wellness walks, whether in Montréal or El Salvador. Trusted for impeccable timing and a keen sense of who needs a paw, he helps us support clients by first taking care of our people.
The Story
Act 1
Monique Mardinian acquired Encore Travel on the belief that TMCs could be successful faithfully representing their customers, not their suppliers. It seems obvious, but it wasn’t always.
In the early 1980s, a travel agency was a sales department for airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. The objective was to make as much money as possible by selling high price tickets, leaving corporate customers to eat the costs. Monique knew that there was a way for all parties to win.
She took a chance by sacrificing margin to make sure her customers only spent what they need.
Act 2
One year later, Encore Travel landed its first global client. By the end of year one using Monique’s “advisor-focused” model, the client saved $1.6M in airfare. The Encore team worked as an extension of the client to make every dollar count, and transformed business travel into a strategic arm of the business.
Act 3
Fast forward close to 50 years and Encore Corporate Travel powered by Zii™ partners with industry leaders around the globe and continues to serve its clients with the personalized customer service they’ve come to know and rely on. Monique’s gamble paid off – working on behalf of the corporate customer was not only a viable business model, but created a trust that has led to an average 21-year customer retention, and has made Encore Corporate Travel; The World’s Most Loved Travel Partner. Â
