Alexandria, VA – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the world’s largest business travel association and global leader in community, education, research and advocacy for the industry – today announced the WINiT by GBTA “Top 50 Women in Travel” award winners for 2022, recognizing outstanding women professionals from across the globe who were nominated by their industry peers and colleagues for their contributions.

“The WINiT Top 50 distinction celebrates women who actively inspire and invest in the growth and success of women in our industry,” said Michelle (Mick) Lee, Founder and Chair, WINiT by GBTA. “As our industry continues to face unprecedented change, ensuring that women get the recognition they deserve and the support they need to continue to foster their own career – and that of others – to serve in leadership positions, is critical to the future of our industry.”

The GBTA WINiT “Top 50 Women in Travel” winners for 2022 are (in alphabetical order by last name):

  • Argie Agrapides, Managing Director, Global Head of Travel & Meetings Management, Morgan Stanley
  • Mercedes Blanco, VP, Strategic Partnerships, The Hotels Network
  • Doreen Burse, SVP, Worldwide Sales, United Airlines
  • Laura Choules, Director, Travel Industry Partnerships, Global Hotel Alliance
  • Kim Conway, Director, Nomadic
  • Amelia DeLuca, VP, Sustainability, Delta Air Lines
  • Carol Fergus, Director of Travel Services, Fidelity International
  • Christina Foerster, Executive Board, Lufthansa Group
  • Laura Fuentes, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hilton
  • Aileen Furlong, Managing Director, Global Corporate Sales, United Airlines
  • Jessica Gillingham, CEO, Abode Worldwide
  • Emily Goldfischer, Founder, Editor in Chief, Hertelier
  • Terri Haack, SVP, Lowe Enterprises
  • Kim Hamer, Senior Director, Global Travel & Events Sourcing, Visa
  • Whitnee Hawthorne, Chief Customer Officer, TripActions
  • Mary Ellen Hess, EVP, Business Development, CTM
  • Estelle Hollingsworth, Chief People Officer, Virgin America
  • Rachel Humphrey, Principal, DEI Advisors
  • Eva Ramírez Ibarra, Head of Sales, Corporate Mexico & Canada, BWH Group
  • Christle Johnson, VP, Travel and Business Services, Johnson Downey LLC
  • Colleen Kearney, Global Corporate Travel Leader, Raytheon Technologies
  • Tara Ketcham, VP, Business Development, Enterprise Holdings
  • Beth Kinerk, SVP, Global Sales; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University, Avis Budget Group
  • Grace Knowlton, Director, Travel & Expense, General Atlantic
  • Kelly Kuhn, Advisor, CWT
  • Michèle Lawley, President, Europe, BCD Travel
  • Michelle (Mick) Lee, Founder and Chair, WINiT
  • Liza Lewis, Senior Director, Global Client Group , Amex GBT
  • Stephanie Linnartz, President, Marriott International
  • Rosemary Maloney, Travel & Expense Manager, Alteryx
  • Anna McConnell, VP, Sales, Western Region, North America, Avis Budget Group
  • Heather McCrory, CEO, Accor
  • Traci Mercer, SVP, Marketplace Segments, Sabre
  • Malaika Myers, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hyatt Hotels
  • Swapna Nair, Managing Director & General Manager, Benelux, Amex GBT
  • Sharlene Ketwaroo-Nanoo, Category Manager, Travel; GBTA Board of Directors, Rogers Communications
  • Lisa Oxentine, Managing Director, Cargo Global Sales, American Airlines
  • Juliann Pless, SVP, Travel Solutions, CSI (Corporate Spending Innovations)
  • Christina Reichelt, Senior Director, Global Client Team, BCD Travel
  • Tammy Routh, SVP, Global Sales, Marriott International
  • Jenny Sabineu, Manager, Travel Services; Chair, GBTA Sustainability Committee, Salesforce
  • Kristen Shovlin, VP, Sales Operations and Development, Delta Air Lines
  • Jenn Smukler, Head of Sales, Blueground
  • Caroline Strachan, Managing Partner, Festive Road
  • Lindsay Straub, VP, Sales, The BTN Group
  • Alison Taylor, SVP & Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines
  • Denise Truso, Global Travel Manager, GBTA President, Paypal
  • Rita Visser, Director, Global Travel Sourcing & GPO, Oracle
  • Elizabeth West, Editorial Director, The BTN Group
  • Emma Wilson, VP, Global Marketing, Sabre

The Top 50 award winners will be recognized at the upcoming GBTA WINiT Awards and Gala to be held Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 7pm ET, at the Westin New York Times Square. Additional awards to be presented onsite during the gala include: Most Innovative Trailblazer, Outstanding Woman of the Year, Rising Female Leader, Best Mentor or Coach, and Company Culture Supporting for Women to Advance and Succeed.

WINiT by GBTA is a network of global women and men who serve as catalysts to drive change by providing support and empowering women to take the next step in their careers. The GBTA WINiT Program aims to support gender equity in the business travel industry by helping women thrive and advance throughout the lifecycle of their careers. The core programs of WINiT by GBTA include mentorship, education and development, and network and community. Visit here to learn more and how you can join WINiT.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.

Debbie Iannaci
GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research
+1 305 301 7057
GBTA