( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Washington Increased Revenue For Expedia Group & Uber
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Zuhairah Scott Washington is a Senior Technology Executive, Public Company Board Member, and Angel Investor. She has leadership and a transformative impact on business. Working with startups and Fortune 500 giants such as Expedia Group and Uber, Washington has 15-plus years of expertise in driving scalability across B2B and B2C environments. Washington navigated digital transformations and business model disruptions across diverse sectors, including consumer, hospitality, travel, real estate, retail, fintech, transportation, logistics, and e-commerce marketplaces.
She was the President, COO, and former CEO of Otrium. Washington has led the company’s ambitious expansion into the US market and oversaw all aspects of global operations across 19 European and US markets, which she launched and grew by 1250%. Under her leadership, Otrium’s European business grew revenue by 40%. Her achievement in leadership helped earn 1,000% year-over-year revenue growth and increase new member acquisition by over 500% year over year. Washington’s ability, through strategy and operational excellence, led to Otrium’s acknowledgment as a formidable player in the industry.
Before her current role with Otrium, Washington was the Global Senior vice president and general Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Vacation Rentals at Expedia Group. She orchestrated sufficient growth and innovation across the company’s portfolio. During her tenure at Uber as a General Manager, she scaled her ability to lead high-growth initiatives in only three years; she reached a 1 billion dollar annual run rate.
Zuhairah Scott Washington is a full-circle woman, a wife, and a mother who is a trailblazer in her career and life. We get to explore her leadership, business, and technology career, the challenges she overcame, and how she helps companies and startups. In addition, she shares her experience as a COO for Otrium and now the CEO, her strategic approaches to increasing revenue, and her speaking events.
How did you begin your career in leadership, business, and technology? What challenges did you overcome to become the trailblazer you are today?
I began my career with an insatiable drive to make a difference—to not just follow a path but create one. Early on, I found myself in spaces where my perspective as a Black woman wasn’t always the norm, but that’s where I saw the most incredible opportunity. Working with companies like Uber, I realized the transformative power of technology and, more importantly, the impact I could have by being at the helm of innovation.
The challenges were there—navigating biases and defying expectations—but I turned them into stepping stones. Each obstacle became a lesson, and each closed door an invitation to find another way in. It wasn’t just about resilience, though. It was about redefining what leadership looks like—embracing vulnerability, building relationships, and realizing that true power comes when you lift others as you climb.
Share your experience and how you worked as a COO for Otrium to become the CEO. What steps and changes have been made during your transition?
My journey from COO to CEO at Otrium was an evolution and a transformation. As COO, my role was all about building systems that worked ensuring our operations were set up to scale efficiently. But stepping into the CEO role required me to elevate that vision—not just focusing on what we were building, but why. It meant asking, “How can we innovate in ways that reflect our values and create a lasting impact in fashion?”
During the transition, one of my first steps was to hone in on our purpose—aligning our strategy with a future that values sustainability and inclusivity. We revisited how we engaged with customers, our supply chain, and even how we measured success. My focus was on making sure that as we grew, we didn’t lose sight of the heart of what we were doing: creating a more responsible and ethical fashion economy.
In simple terms, how would you describe the incredible work you do for companies, businesses, and startups?
In essence, I help businesses unlock their full potential by aligning their purpose with their strategy. Whether it’s a startup looking to scale or an established company facing new challenges, my work is about guiding them to innovative and sustainable solutions. I bring clarity to complex problems and create strategies that not only drive revenue but also ensure the business is making a meaningful impact. It’s about growth, yes—but growth that lasts and growth that matters.
What strategies do you plan and prepare to help increase revenue growth?
Regarding revenue growth, my strategies are a mix of innovation and precision. First, I focus on understanding the customer deeply—what they truly need and how can we meet that need in a way that sets us apart. From there, I look at diversification—exploring new revenue streams and leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences.
However, revenue growth should be sustainable. It’s not just about quick wins but building a foundation supporting long-term success. That means being bold in experimentation but disciplined in execution—continuously refining processes and making data-driven decisions that push the business forward.
Describe your speaking events and delve into your speaking topics—The Whole Executive, Sustainability in Style, Quiet Power, and Legacy Leadership—and what audiences can take away.
When I speak, I aim to inspire and equip leaders with the tools to thrive holistically. The Whole Executive is about integrating who you are as a person with who you are as a leader, encouraging people to bring their full selves into their work—balancing ambition with authenticity.
Sustainability in Style tackles the intersection of business success and environmental responsibility—reminding leaders that they can be profitable and purpose-driven. In Quiet Power, I explore how influence doesn’t always have to be loud—some of the most impactful leaders are the ones who lead with empathy and quiet strength. Finally, Legacy Leadership is about building something that outlasts you—helping leaders understand that true success is about what you leave behind for others.
Audiences walk away with inspiration and actionable insights—tools they can use to lead more effectively in their businesses, communities, or lives.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Zuhairah Scott Washington, has been featured in publications and platforms, such as the “Harvard Business Review,” NPR, “Forbes,” and MSNBC. In 2020, “Savoy Magazine” honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America. Her education is a JD/MBA from Harvard University and a BA magna cum laude from UCLA. Follow Zuhairah on LinkedIn or Instagram for updates on speaking events and future projects. To contact her about future events, visit https://www.zuhairahwashington.com/contact.
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