EGM 2023 | Sector Panel nominations
Accommodation Sector Panel nomination
Diogo
Vaz Ferreira
Head of Commercial
Clink Hostels
Diogo Vaz Ferreira
Company: Clink Hostels
Job title: Head of Commercial
How many years has your organisation been a continuous member? 10+
Which Sector Panel do you fall under? Accommodation
Years of relevant experience you have for this role: 11
Please give a full outline of your professional and personal experience and skills that are relevant to your application:
Professional experience:
Head of Commercial, Clink Hostels Ireland (September 2021 – present): Elevated revenue performance and streamlined
operations through strategic team management and implementation of efficient tools. Successfully navigated challenges posed by Omicron.
Pre-opening General Manager, Mercure Han-sur-Lesse, Belgium (June 2020 – June 2021): Led the pre-opening phase of a 4* hotel, overseeing recruitment, procurement, sales, and F&B development. Implemented robust safety measures in response to COVID-19.
Corporate Director of Revenue Strategy, Event Hotels, The Netherlands (May 2019 – May 2020): Achieved cost savings through contract renegotiation, standardized communication protocols, and improved talent development. Demonstrated market share growth across eight key European markets.
Commercial Director, Hilton Amsterdam, The Netherlands (April 2018 – April 2019): Orchestrated the commercial strategy and successfully repositioned pricing after a refurbishment project. Notably increased MICE revenue and improved market positioning.
Cluster Director of Revenue, Sofitel Sentosa & SO Sofitel, Singapore (February 2017 – April 2018): Drove market share expansion through strategic room categorization, recognized by Expedia for outstanding sales package performance. Employed data-driven tactics to attract premium corporate clients.
Area Revenue Manager, Accor Hotels, Switzerland (November 2014 – February 2017): Achieved budget targets by implementing innovative room inventory changes. Successfully navigated currency crises, ensuring market stability.
Revenue & E-Commerce Manager (August 2013 – October 2014): Implemented effective upselling strategies, enhancing revenue streams. Enhanced social media engagement and improved synergies between departments.
Education:
– Certificate in Real Estate Investments and Asset Management – Cornell (January 2023 – May 2023)
– Masters in Hospitality Management – Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland (January 2011 – June 2012)
– Bachelor’s in Business Management – University of Coimbra, Portugal (September 2006 – July 2010)
Skills:
Languages: Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
In no more than 25 words please state why you are perfect for this position:
From hostels to luxury hotels, I’ve navigated diverse markets, optimizing operations and revenue. My multifaceted experience uniquely equips me to drive innovation and growth in any tourism organization.
Travel Safety Sector Panel nominations
James
Brazelton
Managing Director
GeoVisions (Alliance Strategies)
Enda
Kelleher
Director
Sprintax Inc
James Brazelton
Company: GeoVisions (Alliance Strategies)
Job title: Managing Director
How many years has your organisation been a continuous member? 15+
Which Sector Panel do you fall under? Travel Safety
Years of relevant experience you have for this role: 21
Please indicate any relevant qualifications you have for this role:
Selected to present at the 2017 OSAC College & University Health, Safety, and Security Seminar in Sarasota, Florida:
“The Korean Peninsula: Risk Assessment & Guidance for Travelers”.
Please give a full outline of your professional and personal experience and skills that are relevant to your application:
I spent the first 19 years of my career working in U.S. higher education in roles directly related to student travel safety.
This included leading the study abroad department at Illinois State University as well as multiple leadership positions at private sector study abroad organizations.
As Vice President at International Studies Abroad, I led the Health, Safety, and Security committee, which included hiring and training the first permanent and dedicated health and safety position at the organization. This role also included responsibility and oversight over all offices and programs in East, Southeast, and South Asia, resolving the full spectrum of student safety issues to the satisfaction of university partners, parents, and the students themselves.
Managing such complex issues such as North Korean missile tests, student alcohol abuse, female traveler safety in India and the MENA region, terrorist attacks in London and Paris, and of course the #1 cause of student injury abroad: automobile incidents.
Currently, as Managing Director of a long-standing J1 sponsor with travel safety as a top priority, I have worked with my team, the Department of State, foreign entities, insurance companies, and participants directly on wide-ranging travel safety issues. This includes managing the risk of the emergence of motorized scooters and electric bikes, workplace and water safety, the rise of mental health needs among participants, and more.
If there is one through line in my career, travel safety is certainly it. Prevention through education is the most impactful activity that we can undertake to save lives and protect young travelers. I believe that this panel has the opportunity to do just that, and I would be honored to contribute to such an important goal.
In no more than 25 words please state why you are perfect for this position:
I have almost seen everything, but I am still fully emotionally invested in every issue faced by the young people for whom I am responsible.
Enda Kelleher
Company: Sprintax Inc
Job title: Director
How many years has your organisation been a continuous member? 5+
Which Sector Panel do you fall under? Travel Safety
Years of relevant experience you have for this role: 25
Please indicate any relevant qualifications you have for this role:
No recent qualifications but I’ve been living working and travelling internationally for a long time. Current US state count is 49 and country count was approximately 70 (at last count!).
Please give a full outline of your professional and personal experience and skills that are relevant to your application:
Working for 25+ years
Ran my own busienss for 5 years
Been running Sprintax US for 9 years
Managing a team across US, EU and South America
Agency relationships with companies across the globe
Lived and worked in Canada, US, EU and Australia.
Role in tax compliance requires ongoing focus on risk management, prudent decision making and the occasional crisis
management, dealing with US and Canadian (and other jurisdiction) regulatory authorities
Have been involved in setting internal policies and procedures across a number of areas
In no more than 25 words please state why you are perfect for this position:
Not one for blowing my own trumpet, but very experienced world traveller, responsible for manging the growth and development of a team, personal and professional, which I place above hitting revenue targets, and while I work hard and expect my team to, I appreciate the importance of a work life balance.
Travel safety nominations
James
Brazelton
Managing Director
GeoVisions (Alliance Strategies)
James Brazelton
Company: GeoVisions ( Alliance Strategies)
Job title: Managing Director
How many years has your organisation been a continuous member? 15+
Which Sector Panel do you fall under? Cultural Exchange
Years of relevant experience you have for this role: 21
Please indicate any relevant qualifications you have for this role:
Selected to present at the 2017 OSAC College & University Health, Safety, and Security Seminar in Sarasota, Florida:
“The Korean Peninsula: Risk Assessment & Guidance for Travelers”.
Please give a full outline of your professional and personal experience and skills that are relevant to your application:
I spent the first 19 years of my career working in U.S. higher education in roles directly related to student travel safety.
This included leading the study abroad department at Illinois State University as well as multiple leadership positions at private sector study abroad organizations.
As Vice President at International Studies Abroad, I led the Health, Safety, and Security committee, which included hiring and training the first permanent and dedicated health and safety position at the organization. This role also included responsibility and oversight over all offices and programs in East, Southeast, and South Asia, resolving the full spectrum of student safety issues to the satisfaction of university partners, parents, and the students themselves.
Managing such complex issues such as North Korean missile tests, student alcohol abuse, female traveler safety in India and the MENA region, terrorist attacks in London and Paris, and of course the #1 cause of student injury abroad: automobile incidents.
Currently, as Managing Director of a long-standing J1 sponsor with travel safety as a top priority, I have worked with my team, the Department of State, foreign entities, insurance companies, and participants directly on wide-ranging travel safety issues. This includes managing the risk of the emergence of motorized scooters and electric bikes, workplace and water safety, the rise of mental health needs among participants, and more.
If there is one through line in my career, travel safety is certainly it. Prevention through education is the most impactful activity that we can undertake to save lives and protect young travelers. I believe that this panel has the opportunity to do just that, and I would be honored to contribute to such an important goal.
In no more than 25 words please state why you are perfect for this position:
I have almost seen everything, but I am still fully emotionally invested in every issue faced by the young people for whom I am responsible.
Enda
Kelleher
Director
Sprintax Inc
Enda Kelleher
Company: Sprintax Inc
Job title: Director
How many years has your organisation been a continuous member? 5+
Which Sector Panel do you fall under? Travel Safety
Years of relevant experience you have for this role: 25
Please indicate any relevant qualifications you have for this role:
No recent qualifications but I’ve been living working and travelling internaltionally for a long time. Current US state count is 49 and country count was approx 70 (at last count!).
Please give a full outline of your professional and personal experience and skills that are relevant to your application:
Working for 25+ years.
Ran my own busienss for 5 years
Been running Sprintax US for 9 years
Managing a team across US, EU and South America
Agency relationships with companies across the globe
Lived and worked in Canada, US, EU and Australia.
Role in tax compliance requires ongoing focus on risk management, prudent decision making and the occasional crisis
management, dealing with US and Canadian (and other jurisdiction) regulatory authorities
Have been involved in setting internal policies and procedures across a number of areas
In no more than 25 words please state why you are perfect for this position:
Not one for blowing my own trumpet, but very experienced world traveller, responsible for manging the growth and development of a team, personal and professional, which I place above hitting revenue targets, and while I work hard
and expect my team to, I appreciate the importance of a work life balance.