Lauren Bruggemans

Lauren Bruggemans believes in the power of travel to be a force for good. As Director of Sustainability & Community Engagement at Visit Greater Palm Springs, she's translating this belief into action, leading initiatives that prioritize sustainability, social impact, and youth development. 

Lauren's global perspective was formed growing up in Singapore, Jakarta, and Cape Town, leading to a career that began in hospitality management; but her path took a transformative turn when she became the Executive Director of the Sumba Hospitality Foundation in Eastern Indonesia. There, she, and her team built an innovative school and eco-resort, empowering underprivileged youth with hospitality and sustainability skills – a project recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization in 2018. 

Returning to her Palm Springs roots, Lauren continues to champion positive change through community development and education, fueled by a master’s in Social Business from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a commitment to creating a more responsible and inclusive future for tourism.