Employee Spotlight: Yasmine Leyakatalie‑Charles, Guest Experience

Editors Note: As we wrap up National Caribbean American Heritage Month, we celebrate Yasmine Leyakatalie‑Charles and her proud St. Lucian heritage, an inspiring reminder of the rich cultures that make our TPA family so vibrant.

If you’ve ever crossed paths with Yasmine Leyakatalie‑Charles, Guest Experience Supervisor at Tampa International Airport, chances are she greeted you with a smile that could brighten any day. Yasmine is known throughout the Airport for her upbeat personality, quick laugh, and natural talent for making travelers feel welcome. 

“If you want a happy moment, come find Yasmine,” she says. “I’ll take that sadness and turn it into a big happy face.”

From the Sea to the Sky

Before joining the TPA family in 2023, Yasmine spent 15 adventurous years traveling the world with Carnival Cruise Line. She began as a photo lab technician but quickly moved into guest-facing roles thanks to her infectious energy and people skills. Life at sea taught her discipline, crowd management, and how to create joy under pressure.

“You had to love what you were doing to make it work,” she said. “We learned safety drills, teamwork, and how to make guests feel like they were on vacation even when we were working around the clock.”

That experience proved to be the perfect foundation for her career at Tampa International Airport.

“The Airport reminds me of the cruise ships,” Yasmine said. “Every day is different, every guest has a story, and we get to be part of helping them reach their destination.”

Finding Her Place at TPA

After moving to Florida from St. Lucia, Yasmine worked in retail management before discovering her true calling in aviation hospitality. She started as a Customer Service Representative and quickly advanced to Guest Experience Supervisor, overseeing a team of more than 20 representatives who assist passengers across all areas of the airport.

Her team’s mission is simple but vital: to ensure every traveler’s journey through TPA is as smooth and memorable as possible. 

“When we step onto the floor, it’s like we’re on stage,” she said. “We’re here to make people smile, ease their stress, and give them an experience they’ll remember. That’s what sets Tampa apart. It’s personal.”

Proudly St. Lucian

This month’s spotlight shines in honor of National Caribbean American Heritage Month, and Yasmine’s story is deeply rooted in the island of St. Lucia, where she was born and raised. Often called “the Helen of the West,” St. Lucia is known for its lush mountains, the famous twin volcanic peaks called the Pitons, and its unique blend of French and British influence.

Yasmine’s family heritage runs deep. Her grandparents owned a plantation in the northern region near Castries, where they cultivated bananas, cocoa, mangoes, coconuts, sugarcane, and spices.

“We grew everything,” she said proudly. “My grandfather exported green bananas every Wednesday. We had cows, pigs, goats, and even a small copra house where we made coconut oil.”

That plantation life taught her the meaning of community and hard work. “It wasn’t just about farming,” she said. “It was about family. On holidays like Christmas and Easter, neighbors would come together to share food, music, and laughter. Everyone helped each other. That’s the kind of togetherness that shaped me.”

A Culture of Flavor and Festivity

St. Lucia’s Creole culture is alive in Yasmine’s home even today. She speaks Creole with her children, plays Caribbean music on weekends, and continues the island’s culinary traditions. Sundays are sacred cooking days, featuring favorites like green fig and saltfish (boiled green bananas served with seasoned codfish), pigtail stew with dumplings, and acra (saltfish fritters). For breakfast, she often prepares cocoa tea, a rich drink made from real cocoa beans, just as her grandparents did using cocoa from their plantation.

“Our food is part of our identity,” Yasmine explained. “I teach my kids how to make the dishes, even if the ingredients are more expensive to find here. It’s how we stay connected to our roots.”

Family First

Yasmine is a proud mother of three: Zena, Johnny, and Darnyl. Her daughter Zena also works at TPA and shares her mom’s love of hospitality. Johnny works as a technician at Toyota, and Darnell, the youngest, dreams of building cars. “They think I’m a little extra when I cook,” Yasmine laughed, “but they love it.”

Her home life mirrors her Caribbean upbringing, filled with music, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food. “When I leave work, I go straight home,” she said. “I check the kitchen, make sure everyone has food, and then I sit outside with a cold drink to relax. I love being outdoors because it reminds me of home.”

Home Across Oceans

Though she now calls Florida home, Yasmine carries St. Lucia in her heart every day. She recently became a U.S. citizen, a milestone she describes as “an incredible feeling.” She still visits her island when she can, reconnecting with family and the landscapes that shaped her. “Every time I leave St. Lucia, it’s heartbreaking,” she said. “But I know I’m living the dream here at TPA, where I feel just as at home.”

The Spirit of Hospitality

Yasmine’s story embodies what makes Tampa International Airport special: the people who bring heart and culture to every interaction. Her Caribbean warmth and lifelong dedication to hospitality remind us that great guest experiences start with genuine connection.

“I’ve worked around the world,” Yasmine said. “Nowhere feels quite like Tampa International. We’re one big family here, and every day I get to help someone have a better journey. That’s what I love most.”