Happy belated Earth Day! Last Friday, April 22, I hope you paused and appreciated this spinning planet. Because it’s a beautiful ride, isn’t it?

Thank the Mother Earth leaders across the industry that are taking steps to promote sustainable travel and combat climate change. Women, especially, know how to challenge traditional approaches. At the live Women Leading Travel & Hospitality Virtual Exchange on May 12, I’ll be talking to three women doing just that. Here’s more information about each of our amazing panelists so you can get your questions ready:

Amelia DeLuca, Vice President, Sustainability, Delta Air Lines

  • Amelia DeLuca is responsible for overseeing the long-term sustainability strategy, managing Delta’s sustainability investments, building an industry-leading team, and partnering with government affairs and legal as the airline swiftly drives positive change in an ever-changing regulatory and policy environment. During her 15-year career with Delta, she has held various positions within global sales, revenue management and network planning, and has been based in Mexico City, Minneapolis, Amsterdam, New York City, and Atlanta. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and has her M.B.A. from the University of Amsterdam.

Denise Naguib, Vice President, Sustainability and Supplier Diversity Global Operations, Marriott International

  • Born in Egypt, Denise Naguib attended the University of Oregon, earning a BS in Geography with an emphasis on environmental impacts. Denise became involved with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, implementing environmental programs globally. She moved to the Cayman Islands to implement Cousteau’s program then to Washington, D.C. to expand the program and strategy for The Ritz-Carlton. Denise works on sustainability and supplier diversity efforts in her role as global vice president, sustainability and supplier diversity at Marriot International. She helped launch the sustainability and social impact platform and goals, Serve 360, and continues to work on projects in support of these goals.

Jessica Hall Upchurch, Vice-Chair and Sustainability Strategist, Virtuoso

  • Jessica Hall Upchurch serves as vice-chair and sustainability strategist for Virtuoso, her family’s business (her father-in-law founded the company and her husband is CEO). Virtuoso is the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, with more than 20,000 advisors and 2,200 of the world’s best hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, and more. Jessica’s personal philosophy on health and wellness carries over into her role, as she leads Virtuoso’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to making the travel and tourism industry a force for good, while also supporting sustainability as a greater factor in consumer choice when planning and booking their travels. She sits on the boards of several organizations, including EarthxFilm and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas, served as executive producer on the acclaimed documentary “Youth Unstoppable,” and has judged both the National Geographic Traveler World Legacy Awards and the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

If you’re unable to interact with these great speakers at the Virtual Exchange on May 12, register anyway to receive a recording of what will certainly be an informative session on sustainability.