2023 Industry Leadership Awards: Winners & Highlights

Australian-born Luc Bondar joined United Airlines in 2017 as vice president of loyalty after an international career across Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States. He currently serves as president of MileagePlus and vice president of marketing and loyalty.

Bondar is responsible for United’s brand and consumer marketing, product strategy, United Clubs and lounges, and onboard offerings. He leads the airline’s loyalty programs, overseeing MileagePlus operations, performance, growth and partnerships. Under his guidance, one of the world’s largest airlines has strengthened its customer-facing strategies and loyalty ecosystem.

Before United, Bondar held senior leadership roles including senior vice president of sales for Index Systems, senior vice president, U.S., at Aimia, and vice president of loyalty for Carlson Marketing Worldwide. He began his career in Australia in advertising at Leo Burnett.

2023 Aviation Industry Leader Nominees

Marjan Rintel, CEO, KLM

Joanna Geraghty, President & COO, JetBlue

Allisson Ausband, EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer, Delta Air Lines

Erika Alexander plays a pivotal role in guiding Marriott International, the world’s largest hospitality company with 31 brands. She focuses on elevating guest experiences, improving hotel operating models and supporting global growth.

Alexander oversees global quality, rooms, food and beverage, meetings and events, sustainability, supplier diversity, procurement, brand operations and market support. She began with Marriott more than 30 years ago in direct sales and worked as a general manager in both select- and full-service hotels before moving into executive roles and the extended-stay segment.

Her recognitions include selection as an International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation Fellow and being named one of the Top 100 Influential Women in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business League. Alexander serves on multiple nonprofit boards and corporate boards, demonstrating a commitment to community and industry advancement.

2023 Hotel Industry Leader Nominees

Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Timothy Kelly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Atlantis Resorts & Residences

Mark Sergot, Senior Vice President, Global Sales Organization, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Mike DeFrino, CEO, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group

Best Cruise Line Industry Leader

CHRISTINE DUFFY, PRESIDENT, CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Christine Duffy leads Carnival Cruise Line, a company certified as a Great Place to Work. She oversees a fleet of 25 ships that serve nearly 6 million guests annually and employ more than 40,000 people from around the world. Duffy became president of Carnival in 2015 after serving as president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

During her time at CLIA, she helped advance industry initiatives including the Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights. Duffy also serves on the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, the board of Aimbridge Hospitality, and the Professional Advisory Board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Recognized for championing women’s leadership in travel, Duffy has earned numerous honors and previously spent a decade at Maritz Travel Company.

2023 Cruise Line Industry Leader Nominees

Harry J. Sommer, CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Daniel Skjeldam, CEO, Hurtigruten Group

Best Airport Industry Leader

J’AIMEKA “JAI” FERRELL, CCO AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Jai Ferrell serves as deputy general manager and chief commercial officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. She oversees technology and innovation, commercial revenue and management, airline affairs, concessions, parking, advertising, air service development, and marketing and brand strategy.

Her leadership extends to industry and community roles, including participation on the global marketing and communications committee for Airport Council International – North America. Ferrell was named one of Airport Business Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 executives in aviation.

She has held multiple roles at ATL, from airport manager for marketing and promotions to assistant general manager for commercial development. A Spelman College alumna with a master’s from Georgia State University, she is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

2023 Airport Industry Leader Nominees

Balram Bheodari, General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Atif Elkadi, CEO, Ontario International Airport

Rick Cotton, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Frank Scremin, CEO, LaGuardia Airport