Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees

The Destinations International Foundation is a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3), and is governed by a Board of Trustees which directs the affairs of the Foundation, determines policies, actively pursues its purpose and supervises the disbursements of funds. 

Nominate an Industry Leader

Take this opportunity to recognize a colleague who has made a lasting impact on destination promotion and strengthened the communities we serve around the world.

Your submission helps us celebrate the visionaries, changemakers and dedicated professionals who are shaping the future of our industry.

Nominations close at 5:30pm ET on Friday, April 25, 2025. 

Executive Committee

Amir Eylon

President & CEO, Partner, Longwoods International
Foundation Chair

Martha Sheridan

President & CEO, Meet Boston
Foundation Chair Elect

Steven Paganelli, CDME

Senior Director, Americas Sales, Tripadvisor
Foundation Secretary/Treasurer

Ellie Westman Chin, CDME

President & CEO, Destination Madison
Immediate Past Chair

Adam Burke

President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
At Large Trustee

Victoria Clarke, CDME

CEO, Tourism Mississauga
Ex Officio
Board of Trustees

Renee Areng, CDME

Executive Director, Explore Brookhaven

Jerad Bachar, CDME

President & CEO, VisitPITTSBURGH

Leslie Bruce, CDME

President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Association Chair Elect

Jayne DeLuce, CDME

President & CEO, Experience Champaign-Urbana

Kyle Edmiston, CDME

President & CEO, Visit Lake Charles
Association Treasurer

Kara Franker, CDME

CEO, Visit Florida Keys

Bill Geist

Chief Instigator, DMOproz

Kellie Henderson

Senior Vice President, SearchWide Global

Jessica Ireland

Founder, Sunshine & Bourbon

Barbara Karasek

CEO, Paradise - a partner for good & AiOpti Media LLC

Alex Michaels, CDME

President & CEO, Discover Lehigh Valley

Angela Nelson, CTA

Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Travel Portland

Paul Nursey

President & CEO, Destination Greater Victoria

Katherine O'Donnell, CDME

President & CEO, Richmond Region Tourism

Todd O'Leary, CDME, CTIS

President & CEO, Visit Alexandria

John Percy, CDME

President & CEO, Destination Niagara, USA

Stacy Ritter, CDME

President & CEO of Visit Lauderdale

Milton Segarra, CDME

President & CEO, Discover The Palm Beaches

Gregg Shapiro

President & Chief Creative Officer, Tempest

Upcoming Board Meetings

The Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees will be meeting on the following dates:

  • Q4 2024: December 11, 2024, in Chicago, IL
  • Q1 2025: February 27, 2025, Virtual
  • Q2 2025: March 23, 2025, in Savannah, GA
  • Q3 2025: July 8, 2025, in Chicago, IL
  • Q4 2025: December 10, 2025, TBD