GBTA Foundation, the cause-led arm of GBTA, has announced the 2025 WINiT Top 50, honoring industry leaders, rising talent and corporate champions who elevate and celebrate women in the business travel and meetings sector.
Now in its 11th year, GBTA WINiT, according to an announcement, is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for women across the business travel industry. It offers leadership development, mentoring connections, networking and public recognition to accelerate career progression. In recent years, the program has expanded, and the WINiT Summit, Awards and Gala now serve as a platform for recognizing exemplary leaders, allies and corporate champions.
This year’s Top 50 winners hold a wide range of positions in the travel industry and represent 36 companies from across the globe. Honorees and their organizations were:
- Women Innovating the Way We Travel, honoring 13 visionaries and those who inspire others to join their efforts:
- Angela Arntz, Unisys
- Mia Beltran, Fox World Travel
- Nicole Chowning, Airlines Reporting Corporation
- Megin Dressel, Keller
- Beth Gibson, Avis Budget Group
- Jessica Gillingham, Abode Worldwide
- Sarah Kuberry Martino, Direct Travel
- Sheryl Pflaum, Collinson Group
- Tami Pharr, Zillow
- Cassandra Rollins, Emburse
- Dana Sample, Delta Air Lines
- Sangitha Shetty, Tata Communications
- Heather Wright, BCD Travel
- Global Leaders With Global Impact, recognizing nine leaders who have made a significant impact on an international scale:
- Claire Barrie, Synergy
- Roberta Billie, Sandoz
- Michelle Degenhardt, Flight Centre Travel Group
- Claudia Florean, UVET American Express
- Sasha Johnson, United Airlines
- Michelle Jolley, FCM Travel
- Sonia Menda, Micron Tech
- Christine Sikes, Direct Travel
- Amanda Vining, Corporate Traveler
- Rising Female Leaders, celebrating 16 early career professionals who are high-performing future leaders:
- Gabriella Antoniotti, FCM Meetings & Events
- Patricia Ascencio, Amex GBT
- Ashley Clarke, Enterprise Mobility
- Jenna Collura, PwC
- Christine Connolley, BCD Travel
- Joy Donnelly, Amex GBT
- Jordan Jones, Direct Travel
- Kristin Lynch, BCD Travel
- Haley McIntyre, Placemakr
- Chelsea Mullin, Visiting Media
- Katherine Quiroz, National Corporate Housing
- Bianca Rank, BWH Hotels
- Mahua Sen, Amex GBT
- Courtney Sheard, Cenovus
- Kellie Stanbury, CTM
- Julie Stuckey, BCD Travel
- FollowHer: Legends and Mentors, recognizing 12 leaders who are committed to advancing women in the industry:
- Sue Calais, Enterprise Mobility
- Karen Catlin, United Airlines
- Kim Conway, ASK4 Group
- Ronda Dean, F5
- Sabrina Kronk, Vanderbilt University
- Stacey Mack, Conferma
- Kate Nummikoski, Hyatt
- Tammy Schneider, Amex GBT
- Ann Huckstadt Smith, Amex GBT
- Eva-Lena Storbacka, Amex GBT
- Katherine Tomasi, BCD Travel
- Samantha Unell, Southwest Airlines
An additional seven Pinnacle and Leadership Awards will be announced at the GBTA WINiT Gala on Oct. 23. The Awards Ceremony and Gala follow the WINiT Summit, a full-day event with the theme this year of “The Power of Possibility.”
Bev Heinritz, director, foundation programs at the GBTA Foundation, said, “Each year, WINiT gives us the chance to recognize and amplify voices that are reshaping our industry.” The Power of Possibility theme, she said, “embodies our belief that when women and allies lead boldly, we all move forward.”
