IGLTA announces Board of Directors for 2024-2025
IGLTA also like to thank the departing Board members for their many years of dedication and service: Theresa Belpulsi (she/her), Destination DC; Jon Muñoz (he/him), Travel + Leisure Co.; Richard Krieger (he/him), Sky Vacations; Uwern Jong (he/him), OutThere Publishing; and Apoorva Gandhi (he/him), Marriott International.
FORT LAUDERDALE, USA – The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced their Board of Directors for 2024. Four industry thought leaders, representing three different sectors in tourism/hospitality, were first-time appointees and will begin their two-year term in January.
IGLTA welcome four new Board members:
Burcu Kisakurek (she/her), Founder and Managing Director of Unison Turkey Travel & Events (Istanbul)
Sangeeta Naik (she/her), Global Head of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing at American Express Travel (New York City)
Shiho Ikeuchi (she/her), General Manager at the Ace Hotel (Kyoto)
Fred Dixon (he/him), President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions (New York City)
“Embracing diversity in IGLTA’s Board composition is not just a goal, but a cornerstone of our vision for IGLTA. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome our new members, Burcu, Sangeeta, Fred and Shiho, who bring valuable global insights and experience to our dynamic team. Together with our returning members, they form a powerful collective dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ travel,” said Felipe Cardenas, 2023 IGLTA Board Chair.
And IGLTA is pleased to announce the 2024 Board Executive Committee:
Dougal Mckenzie (he/him), Chair, Google
Meg Ten Eyck (she/her), Vice Chair, EveryQueer
Norma Dean (she/her), Co-Treasurer, Delta Air Lines
Josh Good (he/him), Co-Treasurer, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Burcu Kisakurek (she/her), Secretary, Unison Turkey Travel & Events
Felipe Cardenas (he/him), Immediate Past Chair, Cámara de la Diversidad
They are also proud to welcome back our returning Board members:
Maria Cuba (she/her), Airbnb
Sean Howell (he/him), Buffalo Market
Glenn Stress (he/him), Marriott International
Amy Martin-Ziegenfuss (she/her), Carnival Cruise Line
Cheryl Richards (she/her), Visit Dallas
Albert Herrera (he/him), Internova
Oriol Pamies (he/him), Queer Destinations
Antonietta Varlese (she/her), Accor
John Tanzella (he/him), Ex Officio Member, IGLTA
IGLTA Board members are selected from a nominating committee composed of current Board members who are not up for reappointment and IGLTA members at large from around the world. Thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee: Michelle Buttigieg (she/her), Malta Tourism; Richard Krieger (he/him), Sky Vacations; Amy Martin-Zeigenfuss (she/her), Carnival Cruise Line; and YT Kivisaari (he/him), Oulu Tourism Finland.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.