Carlos Abisambra’s challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 CEO of the Year Finalist

Abisambra, 36, became CEO of Travelers Haven two months before the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, which presented him with a multitude of difficult decisions to ensure the sustainability of the Denver-based provider of temporary housing solutions. Among Abisambra’s immediate challenges as CEO: layoffs, reduced pay/hours for some employees, and budget cuts.

Throughout the worst months of COVID, Abisambra stressed transparency, sending out email updates three times a week. He took a pay cut himself amounting to 40% of his salary.

As part of his efforts to support client relationships, Abisambra worked closely with the Travelers’ account support teams to conduct customer outreach to better understand the challenges customers faced during the pandemic.

Thus, Travelers Haven was able to adapt customer care and support strategies, and after a precarious 2020, the 113-employee company has rebounded impressively, growing 36% in the past four months.