Rosemary Panno began her career at Indian Trail Club (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) in 1976 in accounting. Fifty years later, she is still with Indian Trail Club as the controller and is also the Managing Director of the New Jersey Chapter of CMAA. 
During her time at Indian Trail Club, Panno has seen a shift in what members prioritize, how clubs operate, and the representation of women in the club and resort industry. She dives into all of this and more in this Q&A.
Club + Resort Business (C+RB): When you first started in the club and resort world, what did members prioritize at clubs and resorts? How is that different compared to today?
Rosemary Panno (RP): When I first started, many clubs in New Jersey were very traditional and formal, with a strong emphasis on golf, structured events, and formal dining. Members valued consistency, tradition and the exclusivity of the club experience.
Indian Trail Club was unique because it was family-oriented with a strong emphasis on tennis and paddle tennis.
Today, while tradition still matters, members are looking for a much broader, year-round lifestyle experience. There is a greater focus on family, wellness, casual dining, and consistent activity for all ages.
C+RB: Did clubs and members place a greater emphasis on certain things?
RP: Yes, there was a greater emphasis on tradition, formality, and consistency. Expectations were more predictable, and clubs were not expected to constantly evolve or introduce new amenities.
Today, members are looking for more personalized experiences, greater flexibility, and a wider range of offerings. Clubs have had to become more dynamic and responsive while maintaining the traditions that define them.
C+RB: How has ITC changed from when you first started?
RP: The club has evolved significantly while staying true to its family roots. When I first started, the club was more seasonal, with much of the activity focused on the summer months.
A major turning point came in 2009 with the addition of the second clubhouse dedicated to our members exclusively along with a pool complex. This allowed the club to become a true year-round destination, offering year-round indoor dining, a fitness center, kids zone and more. It also allowed our original clubhouse to be dedicated to catering.
C+RB: The idea of this article sparked from the Smoke Signals newsletter that highlighted women in leadership. Why do you think this topic is something to highlight?
RP: I think it’s incredibly important to highlight women in leadership because it reflects how far the industry has come and, just as importantly, where it’s continuing to go. When you recognize and share these stories, you’re not only celebrating accomplishments, you’re creating visibility and inspiration for the next generation.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen how powerful representation can be. When women see others in leadership roles, it reinforces that those opportunities are attainable. It also helps shift perceptions within the industry, showing that leadership comes in many forms and perspectives.
For me, it’s also about acknowledging the contributions women have made—and continue to
make—to the success and evolution of clubs.
C+RB: Thomas Savvides, GM/COO of ITC, says he has noticed a shift from what was once a predominantly male-dominated field to a more female-oriented one. Have you seen this shift as well?
RP: I have absolutely seen this shift. When I first started my career, the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated, particularly in leadership roles. Today, that landscape looks different with more opportunities for women in management not only at a club level but at the chapter and national levels.
We’re now seeing women serve as GM’s, presidents, and more. That level of representation didn’t exist when I first started. Early in my career, women were often behind the scenes, handling important work but rarely receiving recognition.
What was once an industry with limited pathways for women has evolved into one where women are shaping finances, operations, membership experiences, communication, governance, and the future direction of clubs themselves. For me, that change has been both professional and personal, and one of the most rewarding parts of watching the industry grow over five decades.
C+RB: What do you think caused this shift?
RP: I think the shift has been driven by a combination of factors. There has been a broader societal movement toward inclusion and equal opportunity, which has naturally extended into the club industry. At the same time, clubs have evolved—they’re more family-oriented and experience-driven, which has created opportunities for more diverse leadership perspectives.
Another important factor was the changing role of women in the workforce. As more women entered the workforce and families increasingly relied on two incomes, women also became more involved in financial and lifestyle decisions for their households—including club membership. Women added value not only as professionals within the club, but also as key decision-makers in shaping what members wanted from their club experience. As a result, programming began to evolve to better reflect family needs, wellness, and broader social engagement.
Organizations like CMAA have also played a significant role by providing education, networking, and leadership development opportunities that support women in advancing their careers.
C+RB: How has this shift affected the club industry?
RP: The impact has been very positive. Having more women in leadership roles has brought greater diversity of thought, stronger collaboration, and a more inclusive approach to both operations and member experience.
It has also helped clubs better align with their membership. As women have become more influential in membership decisions—especially in family-oriented clubs—having women in leadership positions provide valuable perspective on programming, amenities, and overall culture.
C+RB: What’s the importance of having women in leadership positions in the club and resort industry?
RP: Having women in leadership positions brings a broader perspective to the way clubs operate and serve their members. Clubs today are centered around families and creating meaningful experiences, and having diverse leadership helps ensure that those experiences reflect the needs and expectations of the entire membership.
Equally important is the example it sets. When women are visible in leadership roles, it creates a pathway for others to grow within the industry. It shows that there are opportunities to advance and succeed, which helps attract and retain talented professionals.
I’m fortunate to see this firsthand at Indian Trail Club, where both our President and Vice President are women of the third generation of ownership. Their leadership is a great example of how the industry has evolved, bringing fresh perspective while continuing to honor the traditions that define the club.
From my perspective, having seen the industry evolve over the past 50 years, the inclusion of more women in leadership has made clubs stronger, more dynamic, and better aligned with today’s membership. Diverse leadership doesn’t just reflect the membership—it strengthens the entire club.
C+RB: How are you empowering other women to get involved in the club industry?
RP: In both my role as Controller of Indian Trail Club and Managing Director of the New Jersey Chapter of CMAA, empowering women starts with creating opportunities and encouraging them to step into leadership roles.
At the chapter level, we’ve developed initiatives through our Women in Club Management interest group that focus on professional growth and connection. We offer programs such as leadership development sessions, networking opportunities, wellness workshops, and skill-building seminars like LinkedIn and confidence-building workshops. Just as importantly, we encourage women to get involved at the committee level as a first step and then progress to board-level positions.
At the club level, I try to lead by example and be a resource for mentorship. I encourage women on our team to pursue educational opportunities within the industry. Sometimes it’s simply about recognizing potential and giving someone the confidence to take the next step.
What I’ve found over the years is that empowerment often comes down to visibility and encouragement. When women see others in leadership roles and feel supported in their growth, they are much more likely to pursue those opportunities themselves.
