Janet
Gerhard
FACE #26
CXO & Sales Executive,
Inquizo
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What was your path/journey after you graduated from Cornell?
After graduation, I worked for Ritz-Carlton - I had not really considered any other organization, as I was impressed with Horst Schulze (the founder) and his credo: "Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen."
I realized nights and weekends were not for me long-term, but a Cornell connection introduced me to a consulting firm conducting quality assurance (QA) audits for hotels around the world. After working in 35 countries, 9/11 brought the hospitality industry to a standstill, and thus I transitioned QA and research into a career in sales, which - after a decade - led to my own consulting practice around commercial strategy.
I have begun three separate businesses in the last 13 years. My heart is with the first: Hospitality Gal, which helps clients design and manage experiences that drive competitive advantage, lower cost and unlock potential growth. Inquizo leans into the tenets of curiosity and creativity as a means to drive innovation, engagement and performance in the B2B space. And the most recent is a partnership named BETR, Inc. We are trying to tackle the issue of driving effectiveness - after companies have improved their efficiency. All told, I have been lucky enough to work with institutions ranging from startups to Fortune 50 companies, from big picture commercial strategies to deal plans, sales kick-offs, keynotes and more. Opportunities presented themselves and I took them!
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in contact with?
This list is long and I am probably missing people! The 131 Blair Street crew: Blair Washington, Adrienne Schaberg, Gretchen Moore, Gretchen Harris, Jen Zapanta, Nicole Pasquariello - we see each other at least once a year. The Hotel gang is strong: Jennie Tsai, Amy Taylor, Sarah Bradbury, Hoby and Christina Buppert, Andy Stewart, Abigail Spencer and Bridget Tyler.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Cornell?
This is impossible! I chose not to go abroad because I knew it was only four years and I did not want to miss a minute. I loved studying at the Law Library with Jennie Tsai; our TCAB class; also the gorges, the Hill, Jason’s, Greek life; the Blizzard of '93! And I cherish my lifelong friends from Cornell.
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell in Fall 2025?
Tap into the network! Every job I have ever gotten has been through a Cornell connection. I stayed involved and will not hesitate to reach out to alumni or former professors. Students need to think about not just extracting value from their network, but also bringing value to others: Introduce people to one another; listen for interests; connect like-minded people. You never know when it will pay off.
I would be remiss if I did not say #staycurious, as that is my signature on emails and hashtag on LinkedIn. Students should explore classes outside their major, attend guest lectures, and get to know professors. Also, new students should not be afraid to ask for help—Cornell can be rigorous, but there is a strong support system for those who seek it.