Skift IDEA Awards 2023: Meet The Judges

Aaron Walton, CEO & Founder, Walton Isaacson:

Recognized as a trailblazer and thought leader, Aaron’s focus on innovation and cultural engagement has transformed traditional marketing and advertising strategies. As the CEO/co-founder of Walton Isaacson (WI), Aaron’s focus is squarely on identifying unseen opportunities rooted in cultural insights and connections, transforming the definition of the agency model by prioritizing diversity of thinking, and encouraging strategic solutions that defy tradition.

Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President, Global Social Impact & Sustainability, Expedia Group:

Aditi Mohapatra directs Expedia Group’s strategy across social and environmental sustainability. She oversees efforts to maximize impact while delivering business value – most recently leading the launch of Expedia Group’s new Open World™ social impact and sustainability strategy, focusing on making travel more open and inclusive for all.

Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design, Lifestyle Brands at Marriott International:

Aliya Khan, Vice President Global Design Strategies at Marriott International is an award-winning talent, and the driving force behind the disruptive and forward-thinking design approach for Marriott’s Lifestyle portfolio. In her role, Aliya helps to define the foundational elements of Aloft, AC Hotels, Autograph, Element, Le Meridien, Moxy, Renaissance, Tribute and Westin, distinguishing each with a clear design personality and focus.

Darrell Wade, Co-Founder & Chairman, Intrepid:

Darrell Wade is the Co-founder and Chair of Intrepid, the world’s largest certified travel B Corp. A highly regarded entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, Darrell and Geoff (‘Manch’) Manchester founded Intrepid Travel in the late 1980s as a new way for people to explore the world that was immersive, sustainable and gave back to the communities they visited.

Fred Reid, Senior Advisor, Surf Air Mobility:

Frederick W. Reid is an experienced global leader, executive, and board director. During his career of over thirty years in the aviation industry, he has earned a world-wide reputation as a leader who has launched, grown and strengthened businesses, with particular focus on customer service, brand-building and complex global operations.

Katalina Mayorga, Co-Founder & CEO, El Camino Travel:

As the Colombian-American founder and CEO of El Camino Travel, Katalina Mayorga has been on a mission to change the way women travel, making it more accessible and inclusive. As a veteran of the travel industry, she has led El Camino to become one of the most popular experiential marketplaces and subscription services that empower women to travel boldly and off the beaten path.

Paul Nursey, CEO, Destination Greater Victoria:

An experienced and respected senior tourism leader and progressive tourism marketing, strategy, and branding expert with 25 years of tourism-related leadership and management experience. Widely regarded as one of Canada’s top tourism policy minds, Paul has held leadership positions with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours, Mount Seymour Resorts and Tourism Vancouver – the Greater Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Robin McClain, Chief Marketing Officer, Destination DC:

Robin McClain serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. In her role, McClain leads Destination DC’s efforts to generate interest and visitation to the city while leveraging the latest research, technology and trends to attract consumers. As McClain leads the marketing efforts to help DC’s hospitality industry recover post-pandemic.

Shoba Mohan, Founder Partner, RARE India:

Shoba Mohan is the Founder Partner of RARE India, a company that has been promoting conservation and community based tourism with sustainability as a keystone value for tourism and hospitality. She sits on board associations like RTSOI, TTC etc. and promotes the idea that sustainable travel is future ready and luxury has to be redefined around parameters that believe in protection and preservation of the planet.

Tamara Lohan MBE, CEO & Founder, Mr & Mrs Smith:

UK tech entrepreneur Tamara Lohan MBE is the CEO of Mr & Mrs Smith, the boutique hotel booking specialists that she co-founded with her husband James in 2003. Responsible for evolving the company’s digital infrastructure, Tamara oversaw the company’s pivot from publishing house to online travel agent; as CTO, led the development of Mr & Mrs Smith’s in-house booking engine and proprietary availability-management systems, and steered the business into new markets, opening offices in Australia, the US and Singapore.