Speakers

Mehmet Ali Deniz has been Group Chief Strategy Officer of Global Investment Holdings (Istanbul) since 2014 and he is responsible from the group’s global mergers, acquisitions, project financing, and debt & equity capital markets transactions. He has been managing Global Port Holdings’ global expansion and had the lead role in growing the company’s portfolio size from 4 ports in 2014 to 32 ports in 4 continents by 2025. Mr. Deniz also led the successful initial public offerings of Naturelgaz (US$30 mn) and Consus Enerji (US$33 mn) on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and had lead roles in GPH’s successful IPO (US$250 mn), GPH’s debut US$250 mn unsecured Eurobond, and GIH’s US$100 mn unsecured Eurobond issues. He is a board director at EA Energy Ltd. (Bahamas), Naturelgaz A.Ş., İstanbul Portföy A.Ş., GFS Holding A.Ş., Consus Enerji A.Ş., Valletta Cruise Port Ltd., Catania Cruise Terminal S.r.l. (Italy), Liverpool Cruise Port Ltd. (UK), as well as board chairman at AD Port of Adria (Montenegro). In addition, he is the investment committee member of L2G Ventures VC Fund.

Mr. Deniz is a graduate of Bilkent University Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department and holds an MBA degree from the same university. He also completed a long-term leadership program at the Yale University and he is a member of the Endeavor Association.

Brian Beall is Vice President of Government Affairs at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). In this role, he supports public policy efforts across North America, overseeing state and local advocacy and community relations in key U.S. and Canadian cruise markets. He also provides global leadership for the industry by ensuring cruise is represented in broader policy initiatives with intergovernmental bodies, trade associations, and organizations representing other travel and tourism sectors.

Brian brings extensive experience to his role from both the public and private sectors. He rejoined CLIA in 2025 after serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism and Director of the National Travel and Tourism Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce). While at Commerce, he led implementation of the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Strategy, oversaw the federal travel and tourism research and statistics program, and represented U.S. interests in major international policy forums. From 2020 to 2023, Brian served as Vice President of Government Affairs at CLIA, where he advanced initiatives promoting constructive dialogue between the cruise industry and its stakeholders.

His distinguished federal service prior to CLIA includes several additional leadership roles at Commerce, where he received awards for his exceptional contributions to strengthening the competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism sector. Earlier in his career, he served as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Senate, focusing on travel and tourism policy issues, and was an analyst at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Brian earned his Master of Tourism Administration degree and Graduate Certificate in International Trade Policy from The George Washington University, following his undergraduate studies at Truman State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In addition, he completed an executive certificate in public leadership at The Brookings Institution.

Donald Brown develops, presents, negotiates, and implements global industry positions on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters involving security, environmental stewardship and health. In addition, he leads delegations to the International Maritime Organization where he represents the global cruise industry during international treaty negotiations and other matters. He is also the designated Secretary to the CLIA Global Committees on Maritime Security Matters and Marine Environment Protection Matters.

Prior to joining CLIA, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard at the rank of Commander. His most recent assignment was to the Office of Maritime International Law where he provided agency-wide legal counsel to senior officials and federal interagency leaders on transnational maritime threats, with specific expertise in facilitating others to reach agency, national, and international consensus on policy matters. Previous duty assignments include U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, speechwriter and special assistant to the Coast Guard Commandant, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, Rescue Coordination Center Miami and four years of at-sea experience aboard Coast Guard Cutters ESCANABA (1st Lieutenant) and VASHON (Executive Officer).

Donald is a 1993 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Government. In 2003 he graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Inter-American Law Review. He has also served as a Visiting Professor of Law at the U.S. Naval Academy for Piracy, Maritime Threats, and the Law of the Sea.

Greg is the Director of Safety Policy for Carnival Corporation, overseeing safety policy for all brands. He is a former ship captain with 11 years of experience in cruise line safety management roles.

Kara Sasse is the Chief Product Officer at Ripple Operations, where she leads the development and strategy of the company’s Crew Success product portfolio. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and profitability, she ensures that Ripple Operations delivers cutting-edge solutions that enhance crew management and operational efficiency in the maritime industry.

Kara brings a wealth of experience across both the EdTech & Human Capital Management industries, having held leadership roles at Springboard Education, Blackboard, EverFi, and Gallup. She has a strong track record of building high-performing teams, launching market-leading products, and driving growth through strategic product innovation.

Mike McGarry leads government affairs for Cruise Lines International Association.

Prior to joining CLIA, Mike served as a government relations and public affairs leader for industry-leading brands, including Shell Group, VISA U.S.A., Harrah’s Entertainment, and MasterCard.

At Shell Group, Mike led Group external affairs in the U.S. and was later based in London where he was head of Global External Affairs for Shell Chemicals Companies Worldwide, leading government relations, public affairs, and issues management. Earlier in his career, Mike was Deputy Staff Director and Parliamentarian for the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee when historic legislation to modernize financial services laws was enacted, and investigative oversight hearings on financial institution fraud were conducted that received international media attention.

Charles “Bud” Darr is President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global trade association that represents an expansive community of the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services.

As President and CEO, Bud is responsible for leading the organization’s work as the leading authority and voice of the industry across the association’s five operating regions, including North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australasia, and Brazil.

Bud was announced in December 2024 as president and CEO of CLIA effective 3 February 2025—returning to CLIA, having previously held the post of Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs from 2010 to 2017. Prior to his return to CLIA, Bud served as Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, at MSC Group for more than seven years. During his accomplished career in maritime, he has also held positions within the U.S. Coast Guard, including Deputy Chief of Maritime & International Law, and he has served in the U.S. Navy, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard.

A highly respected figure in the maritime world, Bud’s leadership of CLIA comes at an important time for the industry as the cruise sector builds on a strong and responsible growth trajectory in support of its 2050 sustainability targets. He has exceptional maritime experience and over the course of his career has built outstanding relationships across the global cruise industry and with related trade, equipment, ports, shipbuilders, and service providers.

Bud has extensive experience across the broader maritime community, including through his involvement with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, UK Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners Council, SEA-LNG, Society for Gas as Marine Fuel, World Shipping Council, IMO World Maritime University, Cruise Safety and Sustainability Forum, and the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI).

He began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and later obtained his formal undergraduate education at the US Merchant Marine Academy. During his service with the US Coast Guard, he studied law at the George Washington University Law School.

Michael David has been with MAN Energy Solutions since 2005, who’s now rebranded as Everllence. Everllence is an main leader in the global shipping industry. Originally from France and based in Florida, Michael serves as Sales Director for Medium-Speed Engines, bringing over 25 years of expertise in the maritime sector and international sales. His career spans extensive global experience across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, making him a leader in cross-cultural business development and strategic partnerships.

As president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, Geoff Freeman is the leading advocate for the $1.3 trillion U.S. travel and hospitality industry. In this role, Freeman is charged with ensuring the industry’s full recovery from COVID-19, positioning the industry to seize emerging opportunities in a post-pandemic market environment and further establishing travel as a vital economic force in the United States.

Freeman is a seasoned association CEO with a proven track record of building successful organizations that unite member interests, grow member value, increase revenue and unlock growth opportunities. Prior to joining U.S. Travel, Freeman was president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, the trade association for America’s $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer products industry. During his tenure, Freeman launched a strategic campaign to transform the association into a powerful, modern advocacy organization aimed at driving growth and delivering sound regulatory and legislative outcomes that benefit industry leaders and consumers. During his tenure, Freeman grew membership by 35 percent and boosted total revenue by nearly 50 percent.

Freeman joined the Consumer Brands Association after serving for five years as president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA). In that role, Freeman led a successful effort to reform and modernize the AGA, build public support for the gaming industry and open new pathways for industry growth. Under his leadership, the AGA spearheaded a multi-year, research-driven campaign to demonstrate gaming’s broad support across the political spectrum and promote the industry’s role in spurring economic growth, job creation and tax revenues in communities across more than 40 states where gaming is legal. That campaign created the tailwinds needed to advance AGA’s signature initiative achieved under Freeman – the legalization of sports betting in the United States. While leading AGA, Freeman drove a 200 percent increase in membership and doubled association revenue.

Freeman previously served as COO of the U.S. Travel Association from 2011 to 2013, helping to conceive and lead a campaign that resulted in the passage of the bipartisan Travel Promotion Act, which was hailed as “the industry’s biggest legislative victory in a decade.” In the aftermath of 9/11, Freeman created a blue-ribbon panel headed by former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to analyze how to improve travel security without compromising travel efficiency. This effort led directly to the creation of TSA PreCheck. Both the Travel Promotion Act and TSA PreCheck demonstrate Freeman’s ability to identify industry opportunities, craft a winning policy response and drive campaigns that succeed in gaining broad support among diverse stakeholders.

Freeman’s previous experience includes roles at APCO Worldwide, America’s Health Insurance Plans and Freddie Mac.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Freeman lives in Arlington, Va., with his wife and three children.

Frank currently serves as our Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, where he leads client success and growth initiatives across multiple industry sectors.

After a distinguished military career as a Coast Guard senior officer/aviator, Frank comes to his current role with over 15 years of leadership and business development at premier management consulting firms. His contributions encompass aiding notable fortune 500 corporations and federal agencies in risk mitigation, streamlining business processes and conducting internal audits.

Frank joined ABS Group in 2019 and recently served as Director, Business Development. With degrees in Economics, Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA, Frank's diverse academic background underscores his strategic acumen. Certified as a PMP and Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt, he embodies an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.

Pat Gerrity’s spent 25 years in the Coast Guard and retired as a Captain. Three days after he retired from the Coast Guard he joined Disney Cruise Line as their Vice President of Safety, Security, Environmental Policy and Compliance. In 2021 Pat retired from Disney and started Pat Gerrity Maritime Advisors, LLC. Pat Gerrity Maritime Advisors brings deep knowledge and decades of experience to clients seeking executive-level marine expertise in the strategic management of security, regulatory affairs, government affairs, sustainability, emergency management, maritime operations, port operations, and marine safety.

Pat has been published multiple times and has been a frequent presenter within the cruise industry.

Fran Golden is a multi-award-winning travel journalist whose work regularly appears in such leading publications as Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, and Conde Nast Traveler. She is the author of numerous cruise and travel books including “100 Things To Do In Alaska Before You Die” (Reedy Press). Fran lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

For Pam Hoffee, travel seems to run in the family, at least when it comes to career choice. The daughter of an Air Force father, Hoffee yearned to travel the world just as her father did. Raised in a suburb of Denver, Colo., Hoffee grew up hearing her father tell stories of exotic locales. It was not, however, until she accepted a summer internship aboard a World Explorer Alaskan cruise ship, that she got her first taste of travel. This summer internship led to an eight-year stint as the manager of the cruise line’s shore excursion department, where Hoffee designed and implemented land tours. When it came time to “jump ship,” Hoffee transferred to the company’s corporate offices in San Francisco where she was named director of operations.

A desire to return to her native Colorado brought Hoffee to the Globus family of brands in September 2003. Hoffee initially managed the product development department responsible for all aspects of tour planning and brochure production for North America, Central and South America, the South Pacific and Asia. This experience afforded her the opportunity to be part of the planning of many memorable vacations for the company’s passengers around the world.

In 2005, Hoffee was named vice president of product and operations for the Globus family of brands and in 2018, she became chief operating officer (COO) for the company and managing director of Avalon Waterways. In 2022 she was thrilled to be fully immersed again in cruising as she was named President of Avalon Waterways.

Mark is Chief Sustainability Officer of Wholechain, an FDA-Award Winning Traceability System that is verified capable by Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability and a GS1 Premier Solution partner for interoperable data sharing. Mark leads Wholechain’s Better Food Future initiative in support of the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition.

Prior to creating Wholechain, Mark was Co-Founder and CEO of Envisible; a sustainable seafood sourcing company responsible for winning the 2021 Store Brands Gold Award for the top rated meat of 2021, the 2022 and 2023 Store Brands Impact Award for Ethical Sourcing and Supply Chain Transparency. Envisible powers full traceable, sustainable sourcing for Topco Full Circle Market, Associated Food Stores 40 Knots Brand and Giant Eagle Nature's Basket brand of frozen fish fillets. Envisible was recently sold to Arkk Food.

Prior to Envisible, Mark was Global VP of Sustainable Solutions for Unilever. At Unilever, Mark was responsible for integrating technology across the Chief Sustainability Office's initiatives, expanding existing digital partnerships and establishing new digital partnerships. Prior to Unilever, Mark was CEO of Tone, a start-up that led the mFish Initiative with the U.S. State Department to enable mobile services for small-scale fishers. mFish won the 2016 D&AD Wood Pencil, Hollywood A-List Bronze for Most Innovative Use of Mobile Technology, OneShow and Cannes Lions Awards for mobile technology.

My name is Lars Kruse. I am a passionate in project work and creative solution finding. Grown up in Papenburg my relationship to water, technology and ships was there from the beginning.

Creating and selling great and innovative products as well as designing the future is one of the most enjoyable tasks I can imagine.

Beside the professional life I spend time with my family on the country side or while sailing.

Head of Sales and Design at MEYER GROUP, November 2021 – Present. Leadership of Sales and Design Department, Acquisition of new Shipbuilding Contracts.

Sales Manager at MEYER WERFT, January 2021 - November 2021 (11 months). Project Leadership for Sales Projects, Responsible for the project organization, Responsible for the Sales project strategy, Product marketing strategy.

Head of Design Group at MEYER WERFT, March 2019 - January 2021 (1 year 11 months). Leadership of the Designers Team, Development of our teams and project quality, Capacity planning and tracking, Connection to shipyards‘ head of groups.

Project Engineer at MEYER WERFT, August 2010 – March 2019 (8 years 8 months). Lead of ship concept development, GA sketch and initial drawing, Concept development, Coordinating of GA development - architectural and technical.

Trainee/Student at MEYER WERFT and University of Applied Sciences Emden, June 2006 - August 2010 (4 years 3 months). Mechanic for machines and systems, Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and Design.

Anne Madison oversees global marketing and strategic communications, including digital marketing, branding, crisis communications, research and analytics for CLIA and also supports strategy and business planning. Over the course of her career, Anne has led a number of areas, including strategic planning, business development, B2B and B2C marketing, research, media relations, public affairs, issues management, crisis communications, investor relations, human resources, information technology, and events. Prior to her work with CLIA, Anne was chief strategy and communications officer for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization for the United States where she established the strategic foundation on which Brand USA continues to successfully pursue its mission. She also developed award-winning communications strategies to build strong and positive engagement with internal and external stakeholders worldwide. Earlier in her career, she held similar roles with Choice Hotels, Enterprise Community Investment, and The Ryland Group (now Lennar Homes).

Biography coming soon.

Chief Engineer (Tankers), Superintendent and Fleet Manager (HKG), Principal Surveyor and Lead Auditor, District Manager and Director (Marketing) Cruise Center (DNV Singapore and Miami), Sr Director (Decarb), Prestige Cruise Holdings, Principal Port Engineer (Crowley) and now RCG.

As Executive Director for CLIA in Europe, Nikos Mertzanidis is responsible for providing leadership for the region, including driving advocacy efforts on behalf of CLIA’s member cruise lines operating in the region.

Nikos joined CLIA in 2016 as Manager, European Government Affairs, and was named Director in 2020. Prior to his promotion to Executive Director in July 2025, Nikos had served as Vice President of Ports & Destinations and Taxation since 2023. In this role, he was responsible for developing, presenting, negotiating, and implementing industry positions on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters involving sustainability in ports and destinations, as well as taxation issues. In addition, he led the work of CLIA’s Port & Destination Advisory Committee, Global Tax Committee, and Europe Taxation Working Group—and has provided valuable leadership.

Prior to joining CLIA, Nikos served as a political advisor to the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and subsequently as EU public affairs lead at Imperial Brands Ltd., focusing on FMCG regulation, taxation, and consumer policy.

A seasoned government and public affairs professional, with expertise in EU policy making and European business regulation, Nikos is a long-standing member of the International Political Science Association and the Society of European Affairs Professionals.

Born and raised in Greece, he studied political science and international relations at the University of Macedonia in Greece, working in parallel for the UNESCO Chair for Intercultural Policy. He earned his Master’s degree in International Politics at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales in 2009 and, in 2022, his PhD with an emphasis on International Relations and Affairs from the University of Macedonia.

Maria Mondino is the Head of Sustainability and ESG at The Apollo Group, a global hospitality management company serving the cruise industry. With over 20 years of experience spanning finance, sustainability, and leadership, she is leading Apollo’s transformation toward responsible operations through ESG integration, sustainable supply chain practices, and ISO 14001 certification initiatives. She works across multiple business divisions to advance circularity, waste reduction, and traceability throughout global operations.

Maria is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Miami, where her research focuses on embedding corporate sustainability into the core of undergraduate business education through her course, “Business as a Force for Good.”

Antonio Prestigiacomo is a seasoned maritime executive, former Master Mariner and Cruise Ship Staff Captain, with over 25 years of global leadership in technical operations, compliance, and business development. He serves as Director of DNV’s Cruise Ships and Yachts Center in Miami, where he leads strategy, sales, and client engagement across the cruise and yacht sectors.

Antonio also heads the Americas Maritime Academy, promoting professional development and industry knowledge-sharing. He plays a pivotal role in shaping DNV’s market vision, aligning corporate strategy with evolving industry needs, and driving innovation through decarbonization and digital transformation.

Ingrid Quallo serves as the Managing Director of the LTH Baas’ US office, with over a decade of experience in the cruise industry. With a modern and innovative focus, Ingrid plays a key role in the development and implementation of major technical and outfitting projects for cruise vessels in-service.

ADondra Ritzenthaler is the Chief Executive Officer of Azamara Cruises, an award-winning, high-end, small-ship cruise line based in Miami- Florida. Azamara’s four ships – Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Onward – each carry up to 700 guests to destinations around the globe, offering immersive experiences that bring travelers closer to local cultures.

A 40-year veteran of the travel industry, Dondra is recognized not only as a visionary leader but also as a dynamic and sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences around the world with her energy, authenticity, and passion for people. She is known for delivering powerful keynotes that motivate, empower, and encourage individuals and teams to embrace challenges, build stronger relationships, and pursue success with purpose.

Prior to becoming CEO of Azamara, Dondra spent more than 20 years at Celebrity Cruises, where she served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Services for the Americas at the Royal Caribbean Group. In this role, she led nearly 700 employees across multiple departments, championed the travel advisor community, and created programs such as The Celebrity Commitment to strengthen partnerships and grow advisor businesses. Under her leadership, Celebrity was named “Best Premium Cruise Line” by Travel Weekly for 13 consecutive years. She also served on the executive team that helped launch Azamara Cruises, bringing her leadership full circle when she returned to helm the brand as CEO.

Before her cruise industry career, Dondra spent 20 years in sales and marketing leadership roles with American Airlines, further establishing her reputation as a results-driven, people-first leader.

Beyond her corporate accomplishments, Dondra is deeply engaged in philanthropy and community leadership. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Jack and Jill Late-Stage Cancer Foundation, the Family Bonds Foundation, and the Baptist Health Foundation Miami Cancer Institute Council. She has also led major fundraising initiatives, including raising more than $3 million annually for Ransom Everglades School, over $600,000 for the American Cancer Society during the pandemic, and more than $1 million for the United Way during her time at Royal Caribbean Group.

Passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders, Dondra has also been a guiding voice in creating more opportunities within the industry and continues to champion causes that support families and health organizations.

A proud Texas native and sea lover, Dondra resides in Florida with her husband Kevin. She has two grown sons and continues to balance her role as a respected CEO, motivational speaker, and community leader with her greatest source of pride—her family.

Joy Roberts – Tourism & Business Leader | Consultant | Entrepreneur

Joy Roberts is a dynamic and results-driven professional with over 25 years of experience in the tourism, aviation, and real estate industries. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, where she plays a pivotal role in strengthening Jamaica’s tourism sector particularly in airlift and cruise. Under her leadership, JAMVAC continues to forge strategic partnerships and initiatives that enhance destination accessibility and visitor experiences.

Her journey in tourism began in 1977 with Air Jamaica, where she spent six years mastering customer service and operations. Recognizing the growing demand for curated travel experiences, she transitioned into entrepreneurship, establishing a successful travel agency and pioneering tour operations throughout the Caribbean.

Throughout her career, Ms. Roberts has provided consultancy services to airlines and the broader travel industry, offering strategic insights and innovative solutions. Her expertise has earned her invitations to serve on several boards, both locally and internationally. She is also a co-founder of the Kiwanis Club of Lauderhill and the Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating her commitment to community development.

Beyond tourism, Ms. Roberts is a licensed real estate broker and holds two master’s degrees one in Business Administration and another in Real Estate. A visionary leader, she is known for implementing creative strategies, leading high-performing teams, and driving business success.

Above all, Ms. Roberts values family, balancing her professional achievements with her role as a mother of two and a proud grandmother of five.

Barr Turner serves as Vice President for Maritime Policy, overseeing areas such as maritime safety, ship design, marine operations, engineering standards, and maritime labor. In this role, he represents the industry at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and its Subcommittees on Ship Design and Construction (SDC); Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE); Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW); and Navigation, Communications, and Search and Rescue (NCSR). Additionally, he engages with the International Standards Organization (ISO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) on maritime issues.

Barr also facilitates the work of the CLIA Global Safety Committee and serves as the Secretariat for the Cruise Safety and Sustainability Forum (CSSF) Steering Committee.

He began his career as a technical advisor on CLIA’s Maritime Policy team and, prior to rejoining CLIA in 2024, served as Director of Maritime Policy at the Liberian Shipowners’ Council, Ltd. Barr holds a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Webb Institute and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Northeastern University. He is an active member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).

Dr. Heike Naigur is the Senior Director of Sustainability at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), where she leads the company’s global Sail & Sustain program. With over 17 years of experience in corporate sustainability programs, Heike has been driving decarbonization efforts, and embedding ESG principles across operations, supply chains, and destination partnerships. Heike’s work is grounded in cross-sector collaboration with our internal teams and external partners like Better Food Future, and regional governments to promote supplier engagement for sustainability, fleet-wide decarbonization, community impact and crew capacity building around sustainability initiatives. She is a frequent speaker on sustainability topics and continues to champion transparency, innovation, and stakeholder engagement as core pillars of NCLH’s Sail & Sustain.

Liina Vahala - Head of Product Development at Meyer Turku Shipyard with a foundation in Naval Architecture. Leading Net Zero ghg Ship development at Meyer Turku from initiating impactful research and development projects to identifying right technologies for reaching the targets. She thinks that the best results stem where traditional engineering principles blend to multidisciplinary expertise and cutting-edge technology.

I'm Maruthi Varre, currently serving as the Senior Technical Service Engineer for Castrol, supporting the Marine and Energy sectors across the Americas. In this role, I lead technical service activities and work closely with ship operators, offshore assets, and power generation customers to optimize lubricant selection, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and improve machinery reliability through data-driven maintenance practices.

Before joining Castrol, I worked as Field Service Engineering Team lead, leading field validation and reliability improvement programs for natural gas engines at INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines and provided technical support to Channel partners and end customer. Prior to that, I worked with Louisiana Cat as a Service Engineer, providing technical support for MAK and Himsen engines used in marine, offshore, and power generation applications.

Earlier in my career, I spent nearly eight years at sea as a Marine Engineering Officer, gaining extensive hands-on experience with propulsion and auxiliary shipboard systems. This background has given me a deep understanding of the operational challenges faced in the field and continues to shape my approach to technical service and reliability engineering.

Global Chief Procurement & Supply Chain Officer for the Royal Caribbean Group

Responsible for Procurement of all categories, Global logistics, Guest Travel Services, Planning and Inventory of Goods and Services required to support our fleet of 65+ world-class cruise ships, serving 10+ million guests annually.

Working with our global team of 80,000+ employees and partnering with a network of over 10k+ global suppliers from 100+ countries, we are committed to driving excellence and innovation in all aspects of our Procurement, and Supply Chain teams in support of our ESG commitments to the delight of our guests and stakeholders.

A seasoned tourism executive with more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Don Welsh has held positions with almost every sector within the travel and tourism industry. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Destinations International, the global trade association for convention and visitors bureaus and tourism boards.

Prior to joining Destinations International, Welsh served as the President and CEO of Choose Chicago. Welsh also held the CEO position at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association and the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau. Prior to joining the destination marketing industry, Welsh served as senior vice president for Westin Hotels at its corporate headquarters and has also held senior marketing and sales positions in the corporate offices for Westin Hotels and Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and also with the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Welsh has served on various boards and committees during his career. He currently serves on the Event Industry Council Board of Directors.

Tom West recently joined the firm as a partner after an accomplished career as a senior Treasury official and in the private sector. His government service has provided him extensive experience in the tax legislative and regulatory process, and he is widely recognized as a top expert on tax policy matters.

Before joining the firm, Tom served in senior tax policy roles in the last three Administrations. Tom first served at the Treasury Department for four years in the Obama and Trump Administrations where he was Tax Legislative Counsel in the Office of Tax Policy. In 2017, his service included nine months as Acting Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy during the change of Administration where he helped advise then-Secretary Steven Mnuchin on the development of the Administration’s policies underlying the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). After several years in the private sector, in 2021, Tom returned to the Treasury Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, where he advised Secretary Janet Yellen and the White House on legislative and regulatory tax matters.

Tom’s leadership, judgment, common sense and expertise were instrumental in the passage and implementation of numerous landmark pieces of tax legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, the TCJA, the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.

For his many years of service at Treasury, Tom was awarded the prestigious Treasury Medal. The citation with his Medal notes that he “consistently demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and leadership in providing expert advice in public service to three Treasury Secretaries…” and that his “sound judgment, pragmatism, humor, and excellent rapport with his devoted staff and colleagues across the administration were hallmarks of his expert management of all aspects of Treasury's wide-ranging domestic tax portfolio.”

During his time in the private sector, Tom was a principal in a Big 4 accounting firm and a shareholder in a large multinational law firm. For more than 15 years in private practice, he advised clients on tax policy, regulatory matters, global tax planning, and compliance.

Tom earned his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law and an LLM degree in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife and son.