IGLTA appoints four new board members for 2025-2026, enhancing its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the tourism and hospitality industries.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced its Board of Directors for 2025-2026. Four industry leaders in the tourism and hospitality sectors have been appointed to join the board, each bringing fresh perspectives and a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Their two-year term begins in January 2025.
IGLTA welcomes the following new board members:
- Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir (she/her), Founder of Moonlight Experiences (London, United Kingdom)
- Keshav Suri (he/him), Executive Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group (New Delhi, India)
- Sophia Hyder Hock (she/her), Chief Inclusion Officer at Destinations International (Washington DC, United States)
- Danny Guerrero (he/him), CEO & Founder of The Culturist Group (Los Angeles, United States)
Both Shaibu-Lenoir and Guerrero were IGLTA Foundation Fellowship recipients.
“While these four individuals are new to the board, they are not new to IGLTA. Each of these leaders has been a strong supporter of our mission, and we look forward to their contributions in advancing LGBTQ+ travel worldwide,” said Dougal Mckenzie (he/him), 2024 IGLTA Board Chair. “The strength of our board lies in its diversity and commitment, and together, they help drive IGLTA’s vision forward. We’re confident that this board will continue to make a meaningful impact on the future of LGBTQ+ tourism.”
IGLTA is pleased to present the 2025 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
IGLTA also welcomes back returning board members:
- Sean Howell (he/him), Buffalo Market
- Glenn Stress (he/him), Marriott International
- Cheryl Richards (she/her), Visit Dallas
- Antonietta Varlese (she/her), Accor
- Sangeeta Naik (she/her), American Express
- Shiho Ikeuchi (she/her), Ace Hotel Kyoto
- Fred Dixon (he/him), Brand USA
- 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. This year’s Nominating Committee: Amy Martin Zeigenfuss (she/her), Carnival Cruise Line; Dougal Mckenzie (he/him), Google; Mariangela Silvestre (she/her), Swissotel; Silvia Perez (she/her), Axel Hotels; and Alex Bernardes Pereira (he/him), LGBT+ Turismo Expo.
IGLTA would also like to thank the departing board members for their years of dedication and service: Amy Martin Zeigenfuss (she/her), Carnival Cruise Line; Albert Herrera (he/him), Internova; Maria Cuba (she/her), Airbnb; and Oriol Pamies (he/him), Queer Destinations.
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.
