CHICAGO, November 14, 2024 — Following the recent election for open board positions held by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the following distinguished incentive travel professionals have been elected to serve three-year terms as directors:
Kim Napolitano, Executive Director, Industry Relations and Intermediary Group Sales, Hilton
Marina Parra-Flechsig, Managing Director/Owner, Weichlein Tours + Incentives
Additionally, Caoimhe Rice, Director of Sales, Moloney & Kelly, has been elected to serve a two-year term representing Young Leaders on the SITE International Board of Directors.
Melissa Moten, Vice President, Experience & Event Solutions, The Collective | A division of BCD Meetings & Events, has been re-elected to serve a second three-year term.
At a board meeting held during SITE’s recent Executive Summit in Muscat, Oman, SITE’s International Board of Directors (IBOD) also elected the following directors to officer positions for 2025:
President: Nitin Sachdeva, CEO, Venture Marketing
Immediate Past President: Karim ElMinabawy, President, Emeco Travel, Egypt/Emirates
President-Elect: Hasan Dinc, Managing Director, ODS Turkey
Vice President, Membership: Marissa Fernandez, Managing Director, DMS Destination Marketing Services
Vice President, Finance: Meenaz Diamond
Vice President, Education & Certification: Jennifer Attersall, Senior Director, Client Engagement, Business Events, Destination Canada
Kevin Edmunds, Vice President of AIC Hotel Group and 2022-23 SITE President, chaired the Board Development Committee and commented:
“The primary role of the Board Development Committee is to encourage candidates to come forward with the experience and expertise necessary to meet SITE’s evolving strategic goals. The caliber of candidates for 2024 was truly exceptional. I offer my heartiest congratulations to Kim, Marina, and Caoimhe, who I’m certain, will make significant contributions to implementing SITE’s new strategic plan. I also warmly welcome Melissa back for her second term.”
Meanwhile, SITE Foundation’s Board of Trustees (FBOT) welcomes five new incentive travel professionals:
Rachel Carey, Vice President, National Sales & Industry Relations, CSI DMC
Kristina Chaplin, Director, Global Accounts M&I, Accor
Barbara Lootz, Senior Director, Global Sales, Marriott International
Freddy Muller, AVP, Corporate Meetings & Incentives, Royal Caribbean International
Stacie Nerf, Manager, Business Meetings & Events, Delta Air Lines
SITE Foundation’s 2025 Executive Committee comprises:
2025 President: Rhonda Brewer, Vice President, Sales, Motivation Excellence
Immediate Past President: Stan Hershenow, Account Executive, Brightspot
President-Elect: Jonathan Richards, Sales Manager – Northwest US, Mexico & Europe, Maui Jim Sunglasses
Vice President, Finance: Jacqueline Goldy, Vice President, Incentives and Strategic Partnerships, MGM Resorts International
Vice President, Fundraising: Anne Marie Rogers, Director of Meetings & Incentives, Direct Travel
Vice President, Grants & Scholarships: Meg Pisani, Vice President, Supplier Relations, Maritz
Hamish Reid, Senior Associate Director, MMGY Hills Balfour and SITE Foundation Immediate Past President, remarked:
“I am delighted to welcome Rachel, Kristina, Barbara, Freddy, and Stacie to the Board of Trustees. Each of these leaders brings a legacy of excellence in motivational events and will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact as we pursue our mission to fund the business case for incentive travel and support professional development across the industry.”
Annette Gregg, MBA, CMM, CEO of SITE & SITE Foundation, added:
“2024 was another historic year for SITE, with membership exceeding 3,000 individuals and revenues reaching an all-time high. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of our 2024 IBOD and FBOT members, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in achieving these remarkable milestones. I eagerly look forward to collaborating with our 2025 IBOD and FBOT, enhanced by an outstanding cohort of new directors and trustees, to lead SITE and SITE Foundation into their next transformative phase in alignment with our strategic plan.
Finally, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Michael Dalton, Marcella Zuniga, and Ashley Krueger for their magnificent contributions to the International Board of Directors. Their leadership, passion, and invaluable insights have left an indelible mark on SITE, and their efforts have played a vital role in shaping the organization’s success.
On the Foundation side, we extend our sincerest thanks to Hamish Reid, Kim Napolitano and Amy Riley for their dedication and service. Hamish’s and Amy’s impact on the Foundation has been profound, and Kim’s ongoing commitment to SITE as a newly elected member of the International Board of Directors ensures her expertise will continue to benefit our community.
To all our departing board members and trustees, thank you for your extraordinary service, and for your unwavering commitment to advancing SITE’s mission. You have set the stage for a bright future, and we will build upon the incredible foundation you have laid.”
