Social Inclusion Committee

At Destinations International, our Social Inclusion Committee is all about making the tourism industry a welcoming place for everyone. We’re a diverse group of people from all levels of our member organizations, working together to create inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. We're committed to diversifying the workforce, using research and insights to drive change, and building strong partnerships. Through focused initiatives, we aim to make a real impact and help the tourism industry thrive as a welcoming and competitive sector for employment.

We welcome members from all roles, backgrounds, and perspectives to engage.

2024 Committee Members​

• Adam Burke, President and CEO, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
• Alex  Sullivan, Visitors Services and Community Engagement Manager, Visit Howard County
• Aly Fernandez (Aleida), Associate VP of Destination Services, Discover The Palm Beaches
• Ana María Viscasillas, President, Business Tourism Services 
• Anahi Soria, Business Development Specialist National & Travel Trade, Discover Saskatoon
• Angela Nelson, VP of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Travel Portland
• Barbara Karasek, CEO, Paradise Advertising & Marketing 
• Benjamin Ford Brewer, Destination Services Coordinator, Visit Durango
• Billy Kolber, Partner/Head of Strategy, HospitableMe Incorporated
• Brandi Liantonio, Executive Assistant, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Brandy Evans, Vice President of Marketing, Visit Wichita
• Cambria Jones, Vice President of Marketing, SearchWide Global
• Camilo Navarro, Co Founder & COO, Wheel the World
• Cara Frank, Chief of Staff, Simpleview
• Cassidy Herrington, PR Manager, Explore Asheville 
• Chacara Harvin, Tourism Brand Manager, Charlotte Regional Vistors Authority 
• Claire Carlin, SVP Partnerships and Alliances, Destination DC
• Connie Kinnard, SVP, Multicultural Tourism & Development, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director, Visit Charlottesville
• Danielle Ackerman, Strategy Director, Zartico
• Danielle Michelle Wells Fitz-Hugh, Vice President of Community Relations, Richmond Region Tourism (Visit Richmond) 
• Danny Guerrero, CEO & Founder, The Culturist Group
• Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities 
• David Gonzalez, VP of Media Relations & Communications, Visit San Antonio
• David Kliman, President/Co-Founder, The Kliman Group & Event Leaders Exchange
• Debonair Oates-Primus, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, OVG
• Devin Heath, President and CEO, DistiNCtly Fayetteville
• Emily Gonzalez, Destination Strategy Director, Madden Media
• Emily Rolston, Group Sales Manager, Destination Missoula
• Erica Backus, Director of Communication and DEI Strategy, Visit Savannah
• Erin Francis-Cummings, CEO, Future Partners (formerly Destination Analysts)
• George A Cooley II, Destination Expert, Experience Prince George's
• Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez, Sr. Director of Community Impact, Equity, Public Affairs, Visit Dallas
• Heather Andrews, AVP, Community Engagement, Discover The Palm Beaches
• Hilina D. Ajakaiye, Executive Vice President, Meet Boston 
• Jake Steinman, Founder, Travelability
• James Leppan, Senior Manager, Destination Development, Explore Edmonton
• Jayne DeLuce, President & CEO, Experience Champaign-Urbana
• Jen Gray-O'Connor, Sr. Associate Principal, Coraggio Group/Miles Partnership
• Jennifer Walker, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Dallas 
• Jessica Strasser, Vice President, Talent Resources, Visit Detroit
• Jillian Dickens, Destinations Solutions Director, Transformational Travel Council 
• Joey Bell, Community Outreach Manager, Visit Jacksonville
• Jonathan Brashier, Vice President - Meetings, Conventions & Events, Visit Greenville SC
• Joyce Kiehl, Director of Communications, Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Ka Vang, VP, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access, Meet Minneapolis
• Karen Kuhl, Executive Director, Tour Cayuga
• Kasey Summerville, Vice President Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau 
• Katharyn DeVille, Communications / Marketing Vice President, Visit Shreveport-Bossier
• Katie Rhoads, Marketing Manager, Visit Loudoun
• Kellie Henderson, SVP, SearchWide Global 
• Kevin Thomas, Director of DEI, Charlotte Regional Vistors Authority 
• Kimberly Lewis, Destination Development Manager, Visit Jackson
• Kyle Beltran, Convention Marketing Coordinator, Travel Portland
• L’America Brown, Senior Director of HR and DEI, Visit Indy
• Lauren Bruggemans, Director of Sustainability & Community Engagement, Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Lauren Wegmann, Senior Director, Partner Experience, Zartico
• Linda John, Vice President, Destination & Travel Practice, Fired Up! Culture
• Lindsay Hill, Associate Director, Visitor Experience and Group Tour, Destination DC
• Maleena Deer, Tourism Manager, Discover Salt River
• Marie Sueing, Chief Diversity Officer, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
• Mariles Krok, CMP, CMM, CTA, CATP, Vice President, Meeting & Partnership Sales, Visit Anaheim
• Maura Gast, Executive Director, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Melissa Cherry, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Miles Partnership 
• Mia Blom, Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs/ Executive Director Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation, Visit Baltimore
• Miltón Morales, Technical Business Analyst, Travel Portland
• Miranda Ji, Executive VP of Sales, Destination Greater Victoria 
• Monica Smith, President and CEO, Southeast Tourism Society 
• Monique Holmes, Human Resources Manager, Destination Toronto
• Najauna White, VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Miles Partnership
• Nerissa Okiye, Tourism Director, Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing 
• Nicole Fitzpatrick, Community Relations Manager, Louisville Tourism 
• Nicole Picton, Manager, People & Culture, Ottawa Tourism
• Noah Marshall, Interdepartmental Activity Coordinator, Visit Spokane
• Patrick Harrison, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Tampa Bay
• Paul Hawes, VP Destination Development & Marketing, Explore Edmonton Corp
• Rachel Pearson, VP of Community & Government Affairs, Experience Scottsdale
• Renee Areng, President & CEO, Explore Brookhaven
• Rob Hunden, CEO, Hunden Partners
• Roberta Carrow-Jackson, Multimedia Content Manager, Visit the NOrthshore 
• Rosa Bada, Turisme de Barcelona-Ajuntament de Barcelona, Director Institutional Relations
• Roz Stuttley, Director, EDI, Choose Chicago
• Sally Ann O'Brien, Business Tourism Officer, Failte Ireland
• Sandee Jordan, Director of Customer Success, Simpleview
• Santiago Corrada, President/CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
• Sarah Jenkins, Director, Brand Promise and Culture, Hunden Partners
• Sean Dixon, President, Visit Topeka
• Sergio Piedra, Director, Community Engagement & Advocacy, Discover The Palm Beaches 
• Shailesh Sharma, Director (Executive) Sector Planning, DMMO, Royal Commission for AlUla
• Sharon Snell, Director of Community Engagement & Technology, Huntsville/Madison County CVB
• Shin Osuka, Director, Japan Travel & Tourism Association 
• Sonya Bradley (Co-Chair), Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer, Visit Sacramento
• Stephanie Dunford, Senior Sales Director + Team Lead for US East Destinations & Attractions, Sojern 
• Terry Natwick, Global Sales and Marketing Manager, Discover Crystal River
• Timothy Bush (Co-Chair), Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Lake Charles
• Toni Bastian, Group Tour Manager, Richmond Region Tourism
• Tony Snell Rodriguez, Visitor Experience Manager, Visit Milwaukee
• Vimal Vyas, VP of Data, Security and Digital Innovation, Greater Raleigh CVB
• Virginia Miller, Project Manager, Alon Tourism Solutions
• Zondra Jones, Senior Sales Manager, Visit the Northshore 

Destinations International Staff Liaisons

• Sophia Hyder Hock, Chief Inclusion Officer
• Ava Wells, Social Inclusion Manager