Our volunteer Advisory Panel shares their time and expertise. They provide insight that is critical to implementing relevant curriculum, enterprise services, and key strategies needed by students, employers, and the tourism industry as a whole.
The primary purpose of the advisory panel is to promote collaboration between specific educational programs and stakeholders in the tourism community. Career and technical education programs and associated outreach tools are designed to prepare students with skills, knowledge, and approaches to succeed within the workforce and provide better consumer travel experiences.
The advisory panel serves as advisors to the Academy, providing curriculum recommendations and support for quality programs and have no administrative or legislative authority. Working cooperatively with program administrators, staff and instructors, the advisory committee helps strengthen and improve the Academy. The success of workforce education depends, to a large extent, upon the activity and involvement of advisory panel.
Keith Douglas, Founder and CEO of KD&CO Advisors, is a marketing, branding, and operations executive with 25+ years of experience in the travel, tourism, hospitality, and commercial real estate with globally
recognized iconic brands and assets.
An Ambassador For: Sustainable Tourism – Travel – Community Engagement – Art – Culture – History – Heritage – Brand
Kristina focuses her practice on General Counsel Services, Corporate Law, and Real Estate. Specifically, Kristina assists clients with corporate formation,
Ophélie Le Livec is a traveler extraordinaire, French expatriate and rockstar on the rise in the tourism industry. She serves
Colleen is a public relations strategist with nearly 20 years of marketing experience. Her eclectic consumer insight and vast knowledge
Alberto has been in the Learning and Development arena for over 18 years in different capacities, from Director of Operations
With his extensive knowledge of tax codes combined with strong accounting skills, CEO William J. Caldwell is able to help
Vincent Agaba is the Managing Director of Avarts Housing Ltd. He is a Director of the Rwenzori Tourism Academy. He
PRESIDENT & CEO, PARTNER, LONGWOODS INTERNATIONAL A thirty-four year veteran of the Travel & Tourism industry, Amir leads the entire
Consistently recognized by her peers as one of the top movers and shakers of the travel industry. Anna Karnowski was
Elliott Ferguson serves as President and CEO of Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. A
Lisa spent 20 years in the tourism industry as VP of Operations with Brightspark Travel/Tui Travel before moving onto a
Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed
Advisory Panel Chair and Chief Strategist at The Tourism Academy | TourismAcademy.org is Stephen Ekstrom. Ekstrom began his career in
Tim McGuinness has spent the last 25 years as a senior level executive serving both the for profit and non-profit
Accomplished COO with a 10+ year track record of driving continuous improvement and enabling organization-wide mission and objectives. Dedicated to
Dr. Canny has nearly three decades of experience in higher education as a senior administrator as well as a faculty
Al Hutchinson is the Chair of Destinations International and President & CEO of Visit Baltimore. He also serves on the boards of the United States
“I’m very lucky,” reflects Roy Wentworth ’83, smiling, his eyes bright. Named Norwich Free Academy’s Athletic Director in April 2019,
Adam Burke serves as President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism), overseeing global brand
Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau oversees efforts to promote and sell Philadelphia as a premier destination for
Samantha Keene is a coach and certified educator and school administrator with over 15 years of experience in diverse educational
Attorney Ment’s career in the travel industry began 40 years ago as a travel agent. He has been a tour
Chief Learning Officer and member of the Association for Talent Development, Sheena has a deep desire to create a network
