PHOTO: © DELPHINE MILLOT
THE BASICS
Name: Delphine Millot
Title: Senior Vice President of Sustainability, GBTA, and Managing Director, GBTA Foundation
Company, city: Global Business Travel Association; Alexandria, Virginia. I am based in New York City.
First job: Public affairs consultant, Grayling in Brussels
Where to next: San Diego for the GBTA annual convention, then visiting family in France and Portugal
A LITTLE BIT MORE
What actor or actress would play you in a movie of your life?
Emma Stone — for her mix of talent, charisma and grounded humor. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, which I admire.
What would you be doing professionally if you weren’t in your current industry?
I’d be a travel reviewer. I enjoy discovering new places and sharing honest insights about the destinations I visit.
What is your favorite book, movie or television show?
As a mother of two young children I have limited free time, but when I can I enjoy the sitcom Workin’ Moms — it’s very relatable and genuinely funny.
What historical figure, dead or alive, would you love to have dinner with?
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. I’m fascinated by EU policy and would love to learn how she balances leadership and family; her success commands respect.
THE BUSINESS
What is your most recent project, and what was the inspiration behind it?
I recently launched GBTA’s sustainability initiative to guide the business travel industry toward a greener future. After the pandemic, employees and companies want smarter, more responsible travel. At the same time, corporations face pressure to cut emissions. The sector must offer practical solutions that address the climate crisis while enabling necessary travel.
What is your favorite aspect of the job?
I love learning every day from the talented, passionate people at GBTA, our members and professionals across the global business travel industry.
What’s the biggest business risk you’ve ever taken?
Moving from Europe to the United States ten years ago, and more recently leaving consulting to join GBTA and build a new sustainability program from the ground up.
Who is someone you admire professionally in the travel industry?
GBTA’s CEO Suzanne Neufang. She is an inspiring leader with a clear vision for serving members and advancing the industry.
AS A TRAVELER
Tell us about a travel nightmare:
Crossing the border between Argentina and Chile in Patagonia was challenging. We got stuck in a small mining village because official crossings weren’t possible by foot or car. We ended up standing in an alley pleading with a bus driver to let us board his overcrowded vehicle to cross the ten miles of no-man’s-land between countries. Fortunately he agreed and we made it across.
Share a comical travel experience:
A friend asked me to carry his electric guitar from New York to Europe as a carry-on but forgot to give me the case key. Airport security demanded I open it; I nearly abandoned the instrument. After a long negotiation they finally allowed me through, and I barely caught my flight.
What is your preferred method of travel — planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships — and why?
It depends on purpose and distance. I enjoy flights, especially transatlantic trips home, but for business I prefer trains when possible — New York to Washington, D.C., Brussels to Paris, or Brussels to London. Trains are often more productive and more sustainable.
What has been the best example of customer service you’ve experienced during your travels?
I deeply appreciate flight attendants for their patience and care. Traveling alone between New York and Paris with my son when he was a baby, I encountered many kind, helpful crew members and fellow passengers whose support made those trips much easier.