The Skift Team on stage at Skift Global Forum 2023

Leadership

Rafat Ali

Rafat Ali

Founder and CEO

See Bio

Rafat Ali

Founder and CEO

Indo-Brit-American. New Yorker. Global Soul. My life is at the intersection of travel, media, building meaningful business cultures and parenthood. Previously founded paidContent, sold to Guardian in 2008.

Email
Jason Clampet

Jason Clampet

Chief Product Officer

See Bio

Jason Clampet

Chief Product Officer

Jason Clampet started Skift in 2012 with Rafat Ali and Dennis Schaal. He’s a reluctant writer, a constant tinkerer, and an enthusiastic cook. He loves exploring cities and the country on foot with his wife and daughter. After years bouncing between Philly and New York he now lives in London.

Email
Carolyn Kremins

Carolyn Kremins

President

See Bio

Carolyn Kremins

President

Carolyn has led world-class brands (Conde Nast Traveler, Brides, Epicurious, Elle) and launched start-ups (Maxim, Cookie, The Week) to great success. Her wanderlust has taken her to all seven continents. As President of Skift she has found the perfect home, combining her love for building brands with her twin passions for media and travel. But her shining success, above all else, is her family.

Email
Dennis Schaal

Dennis Schaal

Executive Editor/Founding Editor

See Bio

Dennis Schaal

Executive Editor/Founding Editor

Skift employee #1, after the founder and co-founder, Executive Editor/Founding Editor Dennis Schaal helps lead news coverage and analyzes online travel in his reporting. He likes receiving sensitive documents in the mail and breaking news. Dennis has written for many publications, such as USA Today.

Email
Anne Duffy

Anne Duffy

Chief of Staff

See Bio

Anne Duffy

Chief of Staff

After leading Skift's Subscription team for several years, Anne transitioned into a more strategic role and is now supporting the executive team as Chief of Staff. Otherwise, you'll likely find her at the dog park in Astoria, on the water paddle-boarding or sailing, or lounging in a beach chair with a good book.

Email

Editorial

Sarah Kopit

Sarah Kopit

Editor in Chief

See Bio

Sarah Kopit

Editor in Chief

Sarah is editor-in-chief at Skift where she oversees all editorial content. Previously, Kopit was editor-in-chief at the digital asset publication, The Block, and is a 14-year veteran of Bloomberg News. At Bloomberg, Kopit had several roles, including heading Bloomberg’s breaking news operations in the Americas and as the newsroom's global social media czar, specializing in gathering market-moving news and intelligence.

Email
Lex Haris

Lex Haris

Managing Editor

See Bio

Lex Haris

Managing Editor

Lex has been a news editor for more than 20 years and loves talking to reporters and editors about stories they’re excited about. He was born and raised in New York City where he still lives in his childhood home with his wife, Helen, and two cats. He’s a first-generation Greek-American and spent early summers visiting family in Athens. He thinks a lot about poker, softball and menswear.

Email
Sean O'Neill

Sean O'Neill

Senior Hospitality Editor

See Bio

Sean O'Neill

Senior Hospitality Editor

Sean covers hotels for Skift, from big brands to boutiques. Before, Sean covered travel tech for a decade, starting in London. He and his husband live in Washington, D.C., and like to volunteer and throw needlessly elaborate dinner parties.

Email
Gordon Smith

Gordon Smith

Airlines Editor & Reporter

See Bio

Gordon Smith

Airlines Editor & Reporter

Gordon is Skift’s Airlines Editor. He has enjoyed a front-row seat for some of the aviation industry’s biggest stories and interviewed many of its biggest names. Before joining Skift, he was the editor of Airliner World magazine in the UK and a TV producer at BBC News headquarters. Born in Scotland, he now lives in Lisbon and can often be found exploring lesser-known stretches of Portuguese coastline.

Email
Peden Doma Bhutia

Peden Doma Bhutia

Asia Editor

See Bio

Peden Doma Bhutia

Asia Editor

This Darjeeling girl’s job has taken her places — five continents so far — and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She enjoys exploring new places and keeping abreast of things, and took to travel journalism like a cartophile to an atlas. Her career with leading Indian media houses saw her setting up ET TravelWorld in her most recent role. She has tons of stories to share, but first, get her a flat white.

Email
Alan Woinski

Alan Woinski

Editor, Daily Lodging Report

See Bio

Alan Woinski

Editor, Daily Lodging Report

Alan is the founder of the Daily Lodging Report, now owned by Skift, and remains editor. He also founded the Gaming Industry Daily Report and Gaming Industry Weekly Report which remains under the ownership of Gaming USA Corporation, owned by Alan and his wife Kim. Alan and Kim recently moved from Bergen County, NJ to Southwest, Florida and are loving the SWFL lifestyle. Both Alan and Kim recently became grandparents for the first time to a beautiful baby girl.

Email
Kim Woinski

Kim Woinski

Writer, Daily Lodging Report

See Bio

Kim Woinski

Writer, Daily Lodging Report

Kim is Vice President of Gaming USA Corporation, the previous owner of the Daily Lodging Report, now owned by Skift. Kim is the primary writer of the Daily Lodging Report – North America. Kim moved to Southwest Florida in July of 2020 and recently became a first time grandmother to baby Susie.

Email
Jay Shabat

Jay Shabat

Senior Analyst, Airline Weekly

See Bio

Jay Shabat

Senior Analyst, Airline Weekly

Jay co-founded Airline Weekly in 2004 and returned to Skift in 2022. Before writing about airlines, he worked for US Airways and Air France. Before that, he studied business and international affairs with a focus on economics. His college experience also included internships at both the White House and Congress, as well as study abroad semesters in Monte Carlo and Paris. Jay is a certified IATA instructor who’s taught airline courses around the world, from Miami to Mongolia.

Email
Josh Corder

Josh Corder

Middle East Reporter

See Bio

Josh Corder

Middle East Reporter

Born in the United Arab Emirates to British parents, Josh is Skift's Middle East Reporter. He has lived in Dubai for the last five years, covering hospitality, tourism, and, more recently, casinos. He likes being the first to know things and loves being the first to publish big stories.

Email
Justin Dawes

Justin Dawes

Travel Tech Reporter

See Bio

Justin Dawes

Travel Tech Reporter

Justin is the tech reporter for Skift, covering the way to the future of global travel industry. Prior, he was a tech reporter for American City Business Journals in Albany. A Michigan native, Justin is living as a digital nomad for now. Work aside, Justin has a passion for travel, writing, arts, food, and culture.

Email
Meghna Maharishi

Meghna Maharishi

Airline Reporter

See Bio

Meghna Maharishi

Airline Reporter

Meghna is an airline reporter at Skift based in New York. She hopes she can make stories about the airline industry approachable and compelling. Before joining Skift, Meghna first covered airlines for The Points Guy and has enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of the industry ever since. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking and exploring the city.

Email
Rashaad Jorden

Rashaad Jorden

Associate Editor/Archivist

See Bio

Rashaad Jorden

Associate Editor/Archivist

Rashaad covered tour operators and travel advisors at Skift before moving into his current role. Before finding his way to Skift, he bounced around the U.S., France, Japan and UK. He greatly misses the all-you-can-eat Vegetarian curry at his favorite restaurant in Japan. He is also adept at running half-marathons and, despite living in New Jersey, rues the fact he doesn't spend enough time on the Jersey Shore.

Email
Bulbul Dhawan

Bulbul Dhawan

Travel Reporter, India

See Bio

Bulbul Dhawan

Travel Reporter, India

Bulbul has five years of experience across leading Indian news publications. With a widespread portfolio, she covered several beats before she found comfort in the travel and hospitality sectors when she joined BW Hotelier as the Editorial Lead. An avid singer and reader, she has about as many books in her TBR pile as she has songs on her list that she wishes to record covers of – none of which is going to be completed in this lifetime.

Email

Skift Research

Seth Borko

Seth Borko

Head of Research

See Bio

Seth Borko

Head of Research

Seth is a Director in Skift’s Research department where he serves as an industry expert covering online travel, hotels, and travel economics with extensive public speaking experience. He is currently working on building new data products to serve the travel industry. A true data nerd, he loves nothing more than pouring a cup of coffee and digging into an excel file. Seth loves to travel and has been to all seven continents.

Email
Varsha Arora

Varsha Arora

Senior Research Analyst

See Bio

Varsha Arora

Senior Research Analyst

Varsha is s a Research Analyst based in Mumbai. She spent the first five years of her career working in the strategic division of the top airlines in India after which she went on to join an aviation consulting firm.Since joining Skift she has published reports on sustainability in tourism, online travel companies, mobile commerce, short-term rentals, destination management organizations, and the global accommodation market.

Email
Pranavi Agarwal

Pranavi Agarwal

Senior Research Analyst

See Bio

Pranavi Agarwal

Senior Research Analyst

Prior to Skift, Pranavi worked in equity research, in the Global Hotels & Leisure team at Bernstein. She is based in London but is currently traveling and working as a digital nomad. She enjoys photography, painting, cooking and playing racket sports.

Email
Ashab Rizvi

Ashab Rizvi

Research Analyst

See Bio

Ashab Rizvi

Research Analyst

Ashab has been a management consultant all his professional life helping internal and external clients with data management, financial advisory, and product management. Outside of work, he has an unhealthy obsession with tea (or chai, as they call it in India), running his own football club or writing about football, the NBA, the NFL, and the UFC.

Email
Saniya Zanpure

Saniya Zanpure

Research Analyst

See Bio

Saniya Zanpure

Research Analyst

Saniya is a hospitality graduate, Her education and recent experience have fueled her admiration for travel and exploring new cities. She is an Excel geek and enjoys number crunching. Outside of work, you can find her reading a book, sipping on a cup of coffee or cooking a delicious chicken curry.

Email
Robin Gilbert-Jones

Robin Gilbert-Jones

Research Analyst

See Bio

Robin Gilbert-Jones

Research Analyst

Robin is a Research Analyst based in Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to joining Skift he worked as a freelance consultant specializing in the intersection of travel and sustainability as well as developing analytical tools for environmental, social, and governance research. In his spare time, he enjoys being in nature whether walking in the mountains, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities as well as being a passionate foodie and amateur cook.

Email
Preeya Khongwir

Preeya Khongwir

Research Editor

See Bio

Preeya Khongwir

Research Editor

Preeya is an editor in Skift's research team. After working in equity research in London, she moved to the OECD in Paris, where she took on communications roles in various divisions, including anti-corruption, development co-operation and the Sahel and West Africa desk. After work, Preeya enjoys climbing, skiing and pilates.

Email
Athira Thoppil

Athira Thoppil

Jr. Research Analyst

See Bio

Athira Thoppil

Jr. Research Analyst

Athira joins Skift as Junior Research Analyst, bringing a blend of experiences from different disciplines and her passion for travel and exploration. Outside of her professional life, she has a deep passion for watching and reviewing documentaries, movies and delving into less explored regions. You'll often find her reading about mystical stories and hidden tales.

Email
Aaditya Ugale

Aaditya Ugale

Research Intern

See Bio

Aaditya Ugale

Research Intern

Aaditya has worked in the hospitality industry in Bangkok throughout his life, from restaurants to hotels to Online Travel Agencies. His commitment to understanding the intricacies of the Travel & Tourism industry aims to contribute to an industry that holds endless possibilities for innovation by implementing sustainable and positive impacts. Aaditya loves learning about cultures from around the world and volunteering to help facilitate the growth of local SMEs everywhere he goes.

Email

Sales

Pamela Firestone

Pamela Firestone

SVP, Head of Sales

See Bio

Pamela Firestone

SVP, Head of Sales

NJ native, NYC careerist, and ongoing relocation fantasist. Enjoys a business challenge and leading teams to success. Prior to Skift worked for legacy brands In Style, WWD, and Departures.

Email
Deborah Knudsen

Deborah Knudsen

Executive Director, Sales

See Bio

Deborah Knudsen

Executive Director, Sales

Deborah is a Jersey girl through and through. She loves rock&roll, NJ, the shore and to travel with her family. Her favorite time of day is walking her best friend Scout and discussing their day together. She has worked for The Week, Condé Nast Traveler, Lucky and Bon Appetit. You can find her at concerts, Marie Kondo’ing her house and hanging out with friends.

Email
Kate Irwin

Kate Irwin

Managing Director - EMEA

See Bio

Kate Irwin

Managing Director - EMEA

London based Skifter, driving revenue and growth outside of the US. She is easily captivated by true crime podcasts and be found recharging by the sea. Exploring the world one destination at a time with her family in tow.

Email
Lisa Weier Parilla

Lisa Weier Parilla

Managing Director

See Bio

Lisa Weier Parilla

Managing Director

Lisa Parilla is Director of Business Development for Skift and Managing Director of Skift Advisory. Parilla has held management and senior sales roles at many media brands including Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, The New Yorker and Rolling Stone. Parilla is a passionate traveler, a tennis, hiking and yoga enthusiast and a lover of wine, art and most things outdoorsy. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children, Natasha and Roman.

Email
Rachel Mines

Rachel Mines

Director of Subscriptions

See Bio

Rachel Mines

Director of Subscriptions

Rachel is passionate about all things subscriptions and news. After years working for the Financial Times and Foreign Policy magazine, (plus a stint in tech), she now runs Skift's subscription department -- ensuring readers make the most of their membership and enjoy a seamless experience. In her downtime, you can find her hiking or swimming with her dog, meticulously planning trips in Excel sheets, or working on a good puzzle.

Email
Amy Crawley

Amy Crawley

Account Director

See Bio

Amy Crawley

Account Director

East Coast Skifter that’s passionate about connecting brands to the most influential audience in travel. Amy has spent the majority of her career in B2B media, helping clients achieve meaningful results. Lover of live music, pugs, anything with truffle and travel deals.

Email
Farheem Aziz

Farheem Aziz

Subscription Sales Manager

See Bio

Farheem Aziz

Subscription Sales Manager

Farheem is a born and raised New Yorker. She loves visiting new restaurants and trying different cuisines for her food account on Instagram. She has an appreciation for diverse forms of creativity and culture and is a huge dog lover who enjoys traveling, and watching true crime shows.

Email
Elsa Verzijl

Elsa Verzijl

Client Growth Manager, EMEA

See Bio

Elsa Verzijl

Client Growth Manager, EMEA

Born and raised in Manchester, UK. Elsa adores hiking, visiting to new cities and looking after her exceedingly out-of-control indoor plant collection. When she's not stalking Skyscanner for flight deals, you can find her either drinking a Guinness in her local beer garden or exploring with her adorable dog Albie.

Email
Jeunesse Jackson

Jeunesse Jackson

Account Executive, Sponsorship Sales

See Bio

Jeunesse Jackson

Account Executive, Sponsorship Sales

Jeunesse is Bronx born and raised, with a passion for travel, fashion and entertainment. She enjoys exploring the world from shopping in Japan, sipping champagne in France, to tanning on hot sand beaches in the tropics. Being a social butterfly and a lover of music, when not traveling, Jeunesse enjoys the nightlife in NYC. Jeunesse is Chair of Skift's DEI Council.

Email
Carly Peterson

Carly Peterson

Sales Operations Associate

See Bio

Carly Peterson

Sales Operations Associate

Currently based in the Pittsburgh area, Carly is a dog mom, puzzle lover, and travel enthusiast. In her free time, she is typically attempting to keep her two energetic dogs busy, finding new places to eat in the city, or planning her next trip. Whether it be traveling across the state, country, or world, she is always craving an adventure.

Email
Monique Agaliotis

Monique Agaliotis

Sales Director, Skift Meetings

See Bio

Monique Agaliotis

Sales Director, Skift Meetings

Monique has spent over three decades collaborating with travel suppliers on their marketing efforts at meetings and trade industry media brands. A native New Yorker, she spends her time at the beach and outdoors, loves spin cycling and enjoys cooking and gardening, and is working on improving her paddle boarding skills.

Email
Apara Vashist

Apara Vashist

Sales Director, India

See Bio

Apara Vashist

Sales Director, India

With over 15 years in hospitality, Apara brings a deep passion for the industry and a focus on helping new hotel tech find ground. She has spent most of her career driving sales for hotels and OTAs. Outside of work, Apara finds joy in her role as a mother to two wonderful daughters who constantly inspire and challenge her. When she is not immersed in the world of hospitality, you'll likely find her planning her next family staycation or engaging in creative DIY projects with her girls.

Email
Abbie Warren

Abbie Warren

Sales Coordinator, EMEA

See Bio

Abbie Warren

Sales Coordinator, EMEA

Based in Liverpool, UK but always looking for her next adventure, Abbie aims to visit at least one new city each year - ticking off her ever growing bucket list. A true fun fact lover and marathon runner (she will use any excuse to bring it up), she can almost always be found doing some form of shopping!

Email
Alexx Mattox

Alexx Mattox

Senior Manager, Retention Marketing

See Bio

Alexx Mattox

Senior Manager, Retention Marketing

Alexx was born and raised in Southern California and currently resides in sunny San Diego. When she’s not focused on all things marketing for the Skift subscription products, she’s an avid reader, fiction writer, cat lover, and traveler.

Email
Fred Santos

Fred Santos

B2B Subscriptions Manager

See Bio

Fred Santos

B2B Subscriptions Manager

Born and raised in Brazil, Fred is passionate about connecting with people and helping businesses grow through sales. His time in the travel industry revealed the benefits of loving your work, which led him to find his happy place. A true Sagittarius, Fred is always up for fun and enjoys traveling, playing soccer, spending time with his wife and dog at the beach, or enjoying a cold beer with friends.

Email

SkiftX

Jeremy Kressmann

Jeremy Kressmann

VP of SkiftX

See Bio

Jeremy Kressmann

VP of SkiftX

As SkiftX’s Head of Studio, Jeremy leads all aspects of the company’s sponsored content agency. Born and raised in Chicago, Jeremy has also lived in various locales across the US, including Ann Arbor, Michigan, New York City, and Duluth, Minnesota, and now resides in Los Angeles. He spends his free time sampling LA’s food trucks and restaurants and designing neon signs.

Email
Alison McCarthy

Alison McCarthy

Content Director

See Bio

Alison McCarthy

Content Director

Alison helps oversee Skift's sponsored content production and has over 10 years of experience working in digital media and marketing. A native New Yorker, she loves exploring the city's restaurants, museums, book and record stores, as well new playgrounds with her toddler — though she stays sane by escaping the city into nature whenever she can.

Email
Gianna Greco

Gianna Greco

Associate Director, Operations & Events

See Bio

Gianna Greco

Associate Director, Operations & Events

Gianna is a master multitasker and process innovator. She leads the SkiftX operations team and branded event activations globally. When she’s not traveling, this New Jersey native can be found cooking, walking while listening to true crime podcasts, and singing karaoke with friends.

Email
Anna Zawislak

Anna Zawislak

Senior Manager, Marketing and Events

See Bio

Anna Zawislak

Senior Manager, Marketing and Events

Anna was born and raised in Connecticut with a passion for travel. She loves cooking and creating new recipes but most of all her dog.

Email
Dan Marcec

Dan Marcec

Research Editor, SkiftX

See Bio

Dan Marcec

Research Editor, SkiftX

Based in Atlanta, Dan has spent the majority of his career in B2B media, mostly covering travel and hospitality as a writer and editor (in addition to a couple PR stints and a strongly ill-advised corporate marketing role). Outside of work, you'll find Dan writing and recording music, tasting a new beer, or outdoors somewhere with his wife and three wildly energetic children — an elementary school-aged boy, a German Shorthaired Pointer mix, and an Australian Cattle Dog.

Email
Darren Frei

Darren Frei

Senior Branded Content Editor

See Bio

Darren Frei

Senior Branded Content Editor

Based in New York, Darren has been helping travel brands tell their stories for over a decade. He finds creative inspiration hiking in the great outdoors, reading about popular science and technology, listening to all kinds of music, and keeping up with all things Marvel.

Email
Diana Nay

Diana Nay

Project Manager

See Bio

Diana Nay

Project Manager

Born and bred in Paris, France, Diana is always on the lookout for an adventure. You can typically find her looking up flights, studying (drinking) wine for her next sommelier certification, hiking with her 90-pound Doberman Frank, and playing piano.

Email
Kate Anderson

Kate Anderson

Creative Content Strategist

See Bio

Kate Anderson

Creative Content Strategist

A people-pleaser at heart, this Washington, DC based Skifter loves delivering exceptional client experiences. When not planning her next travel destination, you'll find Kate hiking & skiing.

Email
Sania Lali

Sania Lali

Branded Content Editor

See Bio

Sania Lali

Branded Content Editor

Based in London, Sania is a brand storyteller with 8 years of experience across the EMEA and APAC regions. She loves crafting messages that speak to, connect with, and motivate people. In her free time, she loves to read and travel.

Email

Skift Meetings

Miguel Neves

Miguel Neves

Editor-in-Chief, Skift Meetings

See Bio

Miguel Neves

Editor-in-Chief, Skift Meetings

Miguel leads the editorial team at Skift Meetings. He has worked with business events for almost 20 years and is passionate about telling the incredible stories that meetings provide. Miguel is a Portuguese soul who built a career in the UK and is now raising a young family in southern Denmark. His favorite place in the world is a Portuguese beach on sunny summer day.

Email
Andrea Doyle

Andrea Doyle

Executive Editor, Skift Meetings

See Bio

Andrea Doyle

Executive Editor, Skift Meetings

An award-winning journalist who got her start in the newspaper industry, Andrea now enjoys covering the multi-dimensional world of meetings and business events. An NYU grad, home is across the river in New Jersey. She kicks off every summer by participating in the Spring Lake Five Mile run and spends many weekends enjoying Asbury Park’s dynamic music scene. Her biggest joy, though, are her two daughters.

Email
Colette Edenborough

Colette Edenborough

Senior Manager, Operations Skift Meetings

See Bio

Colette Edenborough

Senior Manager, Operations Skift Meetings

Colette lives in Glasgow, Scotland with her rather rambunctious Romanian rescue Otis. She’s all about lists and organization, which comes in handy at work! Outside of work you’ll most likely find her with her nose in a book (if you need a recommendation, she’s your gal!), listening to a podcast, watching some form of sport, creating some kind of disaster in the kitchen, or spending time with her family and all their dogs.

Email
Barbara Scofidio

Barbara Scofidio

Editor, Skift Meetings

See Bio

Barbara Scofidio

Editor, Skift Meetings

Barbara takes her place as the only meetings industry editor who has actually worked in the trenches as a meeting planner. In her previous roles at Prevue and MeetingsNet, she spearheaded (and ran) dozens of F2F and virtual events, co-founded SITE's Women In Leadership committee, and was the first journalist ever to be named to a GBTA committee. She is known for her coverage of the causes she believes in: sustainability, CSR and human trafficking awareness.

Email

Advisory

Joe Naaman

Joe Naaman

Managing Director

See Bio

Joe Naaman

Managing Director

Joe joined Twenty31 Consulting in 2019 and became Managing Director prior to the Skift acquisition in 2023. He is passionate about working with leaders to uncover and act on their competitive advantage. Previously a member of the Diplomacy & International Development team at Booz Allen Hamilton, he expanded the company's reach into the Middle East and Asia. A New Yorker at heart, but based in Nashville with his wife and daughter, Joe enjoys anything that involves being around water.

Email
Greg Klassen

Greg Klassen

Senior Director, Strategy

See Bio

Greg Klassen

Senior Director, Strategy

Greg co-founded Twenty31 Consulting in 2015, acquired by Skift in 2023. Greg is dedicated to helping destinations achieve their own unique competitive advantage by leveraging strategies that drive their business forward. He is a recognized thought leader on disruption in destination development. He was formerly with Destination Canada for over a decade as CMO, SVP of Strategy and then CEO. Based in Vancouver, he can often be found in his favorite place at his cottage on Gabriola Island.

Email
Oliver Martin

Oliver Martin

Senior Director, Innovation

See Bio

Oliver Martin

Senior Director, Innovation

Oliver co-founded Twenty31 Consulting in 2015, acquired by Skift in 2023. He’s passionate about the intersection of destinations, business, and society. He started his career at Destination Canada, was a partner with global sustainability and reputation firm GlobeScan, and co-director of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Strategic Intelligence Centre. A Canadian based in Berlin with his wife and son, Oliver enjoys spending time at his cottage in Muskoka.

Email
Michelle Gounden

Michelle Gounden

Director, Insights

See Bio

Michelle Gounden

Director, Insights

Specializing in brand positioning, customer experience, and market segmentation, Michelle is skilled at translating market research into actionable insights. She previously led the Strategy and Performance team at Letsema Consulting & Advisory and solved global marketing challenges at Kantar Consulting. She began her career in management consulting at IQ Business, the largest independent consultancy in Africa. Based in Johannesburg, Michelle enjoys looking after her plants and enjoying nature.

Email
Aleix Rodriguez-Brunsoms

Aleix Rodriguez-Brunsoms

Director, Strategy

See Bio

Aleix Rodriguez-Brunsoms

Director, Strategy

Aleix is a strategist with a passion for helping businesses and organizations elevate their vision. He previously worked at global tour operator TUI, responsible for Business Strategy and Strategic Projects within the hotel and tours & activities divisions. Starting his career in the Marketing team of the web browser Opera in Norway, Aleix worked from Thailand, Mexico, Sweden, the UK, Cyprus, and Spain. Based in Mallorca, he enjoys hiking, water sports, skiing, and playing gigs with his band.

Email
Chase Gray

Chase Gray

Director, Strategy

See Bio

Chase Gray

Director, Strategy

Chase expertly guides the strategy practice of Skift Advisory, and has more than a decade of experience building growth strategies for the world's leading travel companies. He previously worked at Deloitte Consulting, in hospitality real estate development, at a venture-backed hospitality startup, and at an NGO in Zambia. Based in Los Angeles, in his free time he enjoys cycling, hiking, and spending time outdoors with his wife and son.

Email
Amanda Reiser

Amanda Reiser

Senior Associate

See Bio

Amanda Reiser

Senior Associate

Amanda has practical and academic experience in sustainable destination development. Prior to joining Skift, Amanda was a sustainable tourism consultant and researcher working with organizations like the World Resources Institute, the US Travel Association, the World Bank, and the International Institute of Tourism Studies. Her work includes blue tourism, outdoor recreation, sustainability, and Indigenous tourism. Based in Philadelphia, she enjoys time outdoors and crafting vegetarian cuisine.

Email
Emilie Ehrman

Emilie Ehrman

Senior Associate

See Bio

Emilie Ehrman

Senior Associate

Emilie is dedicated to amplifying the positive impact of tourism across global communities. Prior to joining Skift, she worked as a tourism development consultant with Solimar International and Sustainable Travel International. Emilie has lived in Myanmar as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Bulgaria as a Fulbright grantee, and Somaliland as a math teacher. A Michigan native, Emilie is a digital nomad and enjoys visiting lesser-known destinations, where she can be outside and experience local cultures.

Email
Maria Serova

Maria Serova

Senior Associate

See Bio

Maria Serova

Senior Associate

Maria supports the Skift Advisory insights practice. She focuses on the power of sustainable tourism to bring people together and change their perspectives. Before joining Skift Advisory, she worked at Capgemini Invent, a management consultancy, specializing in digital and agile transformation, project management, and market research. Maria grew up in Moscow and has lived in Rome, Singapore, Paris, and Barcelona. Outside of work, she pursues her passion for travel and has visited 60+ countries.

Email

Executive Recruiting

Steve Browne

Steve Browne

Director, Executive Search

See Bio

Steve Browne

Director, Executive Search

UK based, Steve joined Skift to lead its entry into Executive search, having spent the last decade recruiting for travel brands globally. His daughter Aubrey happily takes up most of his free time, but, when possible, he loves playing golf, football or any sport for that matter.

Email
Claire Connor

Claire Connor

Research Consultant

See Bio

Claire Connor

Research Consultant

Claire is based in Northern Ireland and joins Skift with a finance recruitment background. When she's not working you can always find her watching golf, formula 1, NFL or tennis. Most of the other time you’ll find her counting the days until she returns to her favorite beach bar in La Cala, Spain.

Email

Events

Brian Quinn

Brian Quinn

VP of Editorial Events

See Bio

Brian Quinn

VP of Editorial Events

Over the last 15 years, Brian has curated and produced hundreds of events, talks, and experiences across tech, business, and creative realms. After living in NYC for 20 years, Brian is now a 'city quitter'; exploring post-urban life in a small town with his wife and daughter. He enjoys jazz drums, cooking every night, and pretending to be outdoorsy.

Email
Regina Yuen

Regina Yuen

Senior Director of Events

See Bio

Regina Yuen

Senior Director of Events

Born and raised in the heart of NYC. Enjoys all the challenges it takes to plan a seamless event. When she’s not planning events, you’ll find her chasing her dream to run all six Abbott World Marathon Major and sipping on a nice glass of cabernet.

Email
Becca Smith

Becca Smith

Senior Editorial Events Producer

See Bio

Becca Smith

Senior Editorial Events Producer

Becca is a sixth generation Floridian residing in Tallahassee with 15 years experience in travel and events having executed over 300 sessions with 600+ speakers from the travel and tourism industry. As a farmer's daughter, she loves growing plants, fruits and vegetables and stays sane through high-intensity cardio workouts and by visiting every playground in town with her boys.

Email
Priya Birk

Priya Birk

Senior Events Manager

See Bio

Priya Birk

Senior Events Manager

London based Skifter, with a big passion for events and travel! When I’m not planning my next event I enjoy taking my dog for long walks, reading and the odd bit of cooking.

Email
Adam Stacey

Adam Stacey

Editorial Events Producer

See Bio

Adam Stacey

Editorial Events Producer

Born in Sydney, Australia but now based in Wales, UK, Adam is an events producer with a variety of experience in the worlds of awards, conferences and event production. An eternal sufferer of wanderlust, Adam is always planning his next get away (much to his partner’s dismay!). Beyond work and travel, Adam can be found exploring the Welsh wilderness with his two dogs whilst listening to a good true-crime podcast.

Email
Arthur (AJ) Blanchet

Arthur (AJ) Blanchet

Events Coordinator

See Bio

Arthur (AJ) Blanchet

Events Coordinator

AJ has spent over a decade planning an array of events. Outside of work he gets joy and satisfaction from tinkering in the kitchen, staying active through weight lifting, or burying his nose in a comic book. In the warmer months he can be found camping, hiking, or soaking up the sun.

Email

Marketing

Angie Kirby

Angie Kirby

Senior Manager, Growth Marketing

See Bio

Angie Kirby

Senior Manager, Growth Marketing

Angie was born in France but resides in the UK. Formerly an accountant she now has 8+ years experience in Digital Marketing where she has found her true passion, specifically in SEO and making big wins in UX improvements. An avid traveller and adventurer, traveling from the age of 2 months old, you can usually find her out of work on her paddleboard or on adventures with her dogs and partner, or on a rainy day she likes to stay in either baking or doing DIY.

Email
Nicole Meyer

Nicole Meyer

Event Marketing Manager

See Bio

Nicole Meyer

Event Marketing Manager

Residing in Nashville, TN, Nicole is passionate about travel and has 7+ years of marketing experience. In her spare time you can find Nicole brunching, researching and stalking cheap flights, taking photos of her dog, or at a winery.

Email
Kanchi Jain

Kanchi Jain

SEO Writer

See Bio

Kanchi Jain

SEO Writer

Kanchi is an SEO writer based in India. She is a relentless workbee, buzzing with innovative ideas. Kanchi aspires to make meaningful memories through her work and personal adventures alike. A cheerful creative and well-articulate person, she believes in taking life one day at a time.

Email

Technology

Mike Linden

Mike Linden

Senior Engineering Manager

See Bio

Mike Linden

Senior Engineering Manager

A Minneapolis native, Mike is a software engineer and a professional guitarist with a degree from Berklee College of Music. In his free time he enjoys building Lego with his kids and spending time outside.

Email
Kenny Tran

Kenny Tran

Frontend Developer

See Bio

Kenny Tran

Frontend Developer

Kenny is a frontend developer based in the UK. When he's not immersed in coding, he enjoys family time, tackling the intricacies of the golf course, and drawing inspiration from travel and culinary experiences.

Email
Rachel Bronstein

Rachel Bronstein

Senior Backend Developer

See Bio

Rachel Bronstein

Senior Backend Developer

Rachel hails from Boston but calls herself a New Yorker. When not doing back-end development, she sings jazz and gospel music, scouts gluten-free eats, adds to her formidable collection of lipsticks, and pets as many dogs as possible.

Email

Creative

Melissa Carter

Melissa Carter

Senior Manager Creative Team

See Bio

Melissa Carter

Senior Manager Creative Team

Melissa aims to empower and elevate the creative team through solid workflows, cross-team collaboration and creative exploration. Outside of work, she loves cooking, drinking a strong cup of coffee and reading.

Email
Beatrice Tagliaferri

Beatrice Tagliaferri

Design Lead

See Bio

Beatrice Tagliaferri

Design Lead

Spain-based, 100% Italian, Bea is the senior graphic designer behind Skift’s creative team. Not only a huge pizza lover but equally passionate about design in all its forms, travels, wilderness, and animals. When not at her laptop, you can find her out exploring new places, at a design expo, crafting something by hand or experimenting with analog cameras.

Email
Monica Argüelles

Monica Argüelles

Jr. Video Producer

See Bio

Monica Argüelles

Jr. Video Producer

Monica was a born and raised in Panama. From a young age, she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in cinematographyy as she loved everything from music videos to shorts to documentaries. When she isn't working she can be found at a music festivals everywhere around the world.

Email
Taylor Slattery

Taylor Slattery

Graphic Designer

See Bio

Taylor Slattery

Graphic Designer

Taylor is a multi-disciplinary designer and illustrator based in Arizona. He’s constantly seeking new experiences to expand his creative toolbox and inform his work. When not pushing pixels, Taylor enjoys sewing, playing ukulele, and doing origami.

Email
Vonn Leynes

Vonn Leynes

Jr. Designer

See Bio

Vonn Leynes

Jr. Designer

Vonn is a Philippines-based graphic designer and illustrator. He likes spending his free time reading graphic novels and keeping up with local comic books while sipping his cafecito. Beyond work, he enjoys having merienda talks with loved ones, going on long walks outside, observing the sky, and plein air painting (in gouache or digital).

Email

Operations

Mariana Ruiz

Mariana Ruiz

HR Manager

See Bio

Mariana Ruiz

HR Manager

Mariana is an HR enthusiast with a broad background in hospitality and finance, focusing on  the full employee life-cycle, DEI and engagement. Originally from Peru, you can find her looking for the best Peruvian eats in NYC, running at Astoria park or adding to her plant collection.

Email
Ernest Capasso

Ernest Capasso

Accounting Manager

See Bio

Ernest Capasso

Accounting Manager

Ernest is the staff accountant at Skift based in New York. When he is not crunching numbers Ernest enjoys watching his favorite New York sports team. (Yankees, Rangers and Giants)

Email
Christy Lykans

Christy Lykans

Accounting Associate

See Bio

Christy Lykans

Accounting Associate

Christy is a recently separated service member ready to take on the world of Accounting and Finance. Outside of pursuing her Bachelor's in Accounting and chasing around a beautiful toddler, she likes to craft and get lost in the world of photography. You can find her hiking in various locations or catch her at the local brewery trying out the latest IPA's.

Email