Resources Director

• Sep 2020 - Present

Lead organizational strategies including the development of new programming to support organizational mission and revenue generation. Workshop and roll out standards and certification for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tourism. Create resources such as trainings and surveys that support organizations in their journey towards DEI. Lead organizational strategies including the development of new programming to support organizational mission and revenue generation. Workshop and roll out standards and certification for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tourism. Create resources such as trainings and surveys that support organizations in their journey towards DEI.

Advisory Board Member

• Jun 2019 - Present

Principal

• Jun 2019 - Present

Driving uptake of sustainability and social justice practices in tourism worldwide. Currently: - Resources Director, Travel Unity - Tourism Benchmarking and Communications Expert, Emerging-360 - Advisory Board Member, World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage - Partner, Green Destinations - Member of Communications & Membership Working Group, Global Sustainable Tourism Council - Member of TAPAS Biodiversity Working Group, IUCN - Member of Destination Stewardship Report Working Group, Destination Stewardship Center - Mentor, Sanctuary Resorts Past: - Regional Manager, North America, Travelife for Tour Operators - ESG Data Manager, S4Capital - Corporate Fiber & Materials Benchmark Technical Writer, Textile Exchange - Operations & Partnerships Lead, Planet Happiness - APAC Destination Representative - Travelife for Accommodation - Tourism Advisor, Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network Show less

Regional Manager, North America

• Jun 2019 - Feb 2023

Coach, train, audit, and support tour companies in their holistic sustainability reporting and action planning with a goal of achieving GSTC-accredited sustainability certification. Participate in leadership strategy and execution. Build Travelife’s presence in North America. Support EU-funded projects. Coach, train, audit, and support tour companies in their holistic sustainability reporting and action planning with a goal of achieving GSTC-accredited sustainability certification. Participate in leadership strategy and execution. Build Travelife’s presence in North America. Support EU-funded projects.

Partner, North America

• Oct 2019 - Dec 2021

Support North America strategy by promoting Green Destinations certification schemes in the region; participate in global standards development and audits Support North America strategy by promoting Green Destinations certification schemes in the region; participate in global standards development and audits

Partnerships & Operations Lead

• Feb 2020 - Sep 2021

Nurture Planet Happiness pilot and COVID-recovery destination site relationships; manage global team by facilitating regular communications; provide backstopping support to Project Director and Executive Director Nurture Planet Happiness pilot and COVID-recovery destination site relationships; manage global team by facilitating regular communications; provide backstopping support to Project Director and Executive Director

Destination Representative APAC

• Jun 2019 - Dec 2019

Generate awareness of Travelife for Accommodation sustainability award program in APAC region Generate awareness of Travelife for Accommodation sustainability award program in APAC region

Secretary, Executive Committee

• Nov 2013 - Aug 2019

Participate in the decision making of the organization at the highest level. Act as the custodian of the corporate records perform such other duties as may be required by bylaws, including oversight of the Elections Committee. Act as a representative of the GSTC for the Asia Pacific region; coordinate promotional and growth opportunities. Attend the meetings of the directors and record the proceedings; develop minutes for approval by the Chair and CEO. Gain expertise in sustainability standards and certifications. Show less

Member, Board of Directors

• Sep 2013 - Aug 2019

• Member of the Executive Committee• Member of the Communications & Membership Working Group• Former Member of the Knowledge Networking, Education & Training Working Group

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

• Jan 2013 - May 2019

Develop and implement internal and external sustainability and social responsibility programming and activities for PATA; formalize PATA’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility program. Identify, establish, and nurture global relationships; work closely with partners to execute PATA’s sustainability strategy and goals. Assist members in identifying and addressing their sustainability needs, and in executing their sustainability strategies. Develop and implement PATA’s own internal sustainability and social responsibility programming, including the establishment of a Green Team and achieving environmental certification. Prepare sustainability messaging to demonstrate PATA’s commitment to its mission of responsible tourism and sustainable growth, including stakeholder reporting, drafting articles for media plus other marketing and online content. Respond to membership demands and initiatives addressing related issues; engage existing and potential members in sustainability/CSR dialogue. Represent PATA at international events and on committees, including speaking engagements. Train, mentor, and manage 15 direct reports. Manage sustainability-related event conceptualization and actualization; create sustainability content for conferences, workshops, meetings, and trade shows. Manage and coordinate departmental efforts for special projects, including BUFFET food waste reduction initiative, PATA InSPIRE Awards. Show less

Tourism Specialist

• Mar 2011 - Jun 2012

Implemented a capacity building program for the Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA)’s marketing, membership, operations, events, and business strategy under the USAID-funded “STAR” program. Developed partnerships between UCOTA, community tourism enterprises, and the public and private sectors to increase diversity of Uganda’s tourism products. Generated tourism revenue for community organizations by planning, designing and rolling out innovative marketing initiatives such as festivals and awards to link buyers and suppliers. Created marketing and membership materials such as newsletters, flyers, website, and social media. Conducted research and analysis on UCOTA members’ needs, and tourism businesses’ commitment to sustainable tourism. Drafted best practices report of tourism associations for a foundation to move towards organizational restructuring. Developed strong knowledge for Uganda’s tourism offerings. Organized and executed three tours testing market-ready community tourism products, including a familiarization trip linking communities and tour operators that resulted in increased community tourism revenue. Benefited our 50 CTEs resulting in HHI increase of up to 60%. Show less

Radio and Business Development Consultant

• Sep 2010 - Feb 2011

Produced twice-weekly, hour-long, live environmental radio shows reaching 60% of Cambodia’s population. Conducted quantitative/qualitative program analysis, utilized data for donor and annual report writing. Developed grant proposals alongside program partners. Produced twice-weekly, hour-long, live environmental radio shows reaching 60% of Cambodia’s population. Conducted quantitative/qualitative program analysis, utilized data for donor and annual report writing. Developed grant proposals alongside program partners.

Government and Industry Relations Program Assistant

• Sep 2009 - Jun 2010

Liaised with, arranged, and attended non-partisan meetings with US and international government officials on issues pertaining to packaged tour travel on behalf of the sole client, the National Tour Association (NTA). Arranged over 100 Capitol Hill appointments over 2 days for Annual Grassroots Symposium. Daily administrative duties such as accounting, scheduling appointments and travel, developing and managing contact databases. Liaised with, arranged, and attended non-partisan meetings with US and international government officials on issues pertaining to packaged tour travel on behalf of the sole client, the National Tour Association (NTA). Arranged over 100 Capitol Hill appointments over 2 days for Annual Grassroots Symposium. Daily administrative duties such as accounting, scheduling appointments and travel, developing and managing contact databases.

Research Assistant

• Dec 2009 - Mar 2010

Compiled and analyzed data on women employed by tourism industry for UN Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010 publication. Compiled and analyzed data on women employed by tourism industry for UN Global Report on Women in Tourism 2010 publication.

Program Intern

• Aug 2009 - Jan 2010

Revised website content; wrote, edited press releases and newsletters; maintained social media accounts. Drafted proposals for consulting and speaking engagements; provided research and editing support for projects. Backstopped fundraising efforts, including events, and created database of philanthropic travel companies. Revised website content; wrote, edited press releases and newsletters; maintained social media accounts. Drafted proposals for consulting and speaking engagements; provided research and editing support for projects. Backstopped fundraising efforts, including events, and created database of philanthropic travel companies.

Media & Communications Intern

• Jan 2009 - Jun 2009

Wrote, edited, and produced communications and marketing materials including programs and presentations for annual congresses in Egypt and The Gambia, and two annual US-Africa Tourism Seminars in Washington, DC. Represented ATA at travel trade shows in the US and overseas. Corresponded with individual and organizational members across Africa to coordinate registration for events; created and maintained databases. Drafted new business proposals, programs, speeches, and talking points for affiliated organizations. Show less

Graduate Research Assistant

• Sep 2008 - Jun 2009

Researched national and international tourism organizations’ commitment to cultural heritage tourism development. Designed, administered, managed online surveys with extensive database; drafted report of findings. Researched national and international tourism organizations’ commitment to cultural heritage tourism development. Designed, administered, managed online surveys with extensive database; drafted report of findings.

Account Intern

• Feb 2008 - May 2008

Participated in processes and operations of an advertising firm by attending vendor, team, and client meetings. Developed trend reports for clients by researching tourism and travel related news and trends. Participated in processes and operations of an advertising firm by attending vendor, team, and client meetings. Developed trend reports for clients by researching tourism and travel related news and trends.

English Teacher

• Sep 2006 - May 2007

Taught at a language training center with 1,300 students and 15 service staff to teach English as a second language to adults of a variety of ages and professions by assessing progress in learning and by creating original materials for both classroom and seminar style settings. Organized and executed student and staff activities improving the atmosphere of the center. Assisted in training other teachers and created an audio dialogue for online learning. Taught at a language training center with 1,300 students and 15 service staff to teach English as a second language to adults of a variety of ages and professions by assessing progress in learning and by creating original materials for both classroom and seminar style settings. Organized and executed student and staff activities improving the atmosphere of the center. Assisted in training other teachers and created an audio dialogue for online learning.

Project VIVA Intern

• Feb 2006 - May 2006

Interned at an NIH funded longitudinal research study (Project VIVA) of factors affecting the long-term health of women and their children. Researched health newsletters and held brainstorming sessions, applied findings to better captivate the audience and to redesign the look, format and content of the VIVA newsletter to improve the professionalism and aesthetics of the former newsletter. Interned at an NIH funded longitudinal research study (Project VIVA) of factors affecting the long-term health of women and their children. Researched health newsletters and held brainstorming sessions, applied findings to better captivate the audience and to redesign the look, format and content of the VIVA newsletter to improve the professionalism and aesthetics of the former newsletter.

Student Staff

• May 2003 - May 2006

Two-time employee of the month, Rookie of the year 2004, Employee of the year 2006. Helped faculty and students schedule and organize hundreds of successful on-campus events; fielded client requests. Trained other employees thereby better understanding communications within and between operations and event coordination. Two-time employee of the month, Rookie of the year 2004, Employee of the year 2006. Helped faculty and students schedule and organize hundreds of successful on-campus events; fielded client requests. Trained other employees thereby better understanding communications within and between operations and event coordination.

Travel & Lifestyle Intern

• Jul 2005 - Aug 2005

Researched travel trends and communicated them to present and potential clients. Compiled clippings, sent mail-outs, created press packs, drafted press releases, contacted media, attended team, client, and press meetings Researched travel trends and communicated them to present and potential clients. Compiled clippings, sent mail-outs, created press packs, drafted press releases, contacted media, attended team, client, and press meetings