FCM Travel Chief Product Officer Sandra Espada Named to the GBTA WINiT Top 50, Recognized as a Leader in Business Travel Innovation
Flight Centre Travel Group Americas President Charlene Leiss also Honored with WINiT Top 50 Distinction
New York, NY (October 4, 2024) – The GBTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), this week announced the prestigious WINiT Top 50 for 2024, an annual list that celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of women leaders throughout the business travel industry.
The honorees for this year included Sandra Espada, FCM Travel Chief Product Officer, who was recognized in the ‘Women Innovating the Way We Travel’ category, which puts a spotlight on the visionaries who are inspiring and driving real transformative change throughout the industry. Flight Centre Travel Group Americas President Charlene Leiss was also named to the list, selected as one of the winners in the ‘FollowHer: Legends and Mentors’ category, which features exemplary leaders who are committed to advancing women in the industry.
WINiT is a global network focused on delivering career development services, educational programs and resources to women in travel-related businesses. As a part of the GBTA Foundation, the program is designed to help ensure the support and advancement of women in travel.
An industry trailblazer, Sandra’s transformative work and approach to product innovation has been nothing short of inspiring,” said John Morhous, Chief Experience Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group – Corporate Brands. “I am thrilled that she is receiving this much-deserved honor and being recognized for the way that she continues to revolutionize the business travel world.”
With over 20 years of industry experience in product management and technical consulting, Espada has been integral in the success and evolution of FCM’s customer experience. She has led the development and launch of various digital tools and products that are used by business travellers worldwide, such as the FCM Platform, FCM Approvals, FCM Extension, and the FCM App.
“Charlene is one of the most accomplished and impactful leaders in our industry, with her influence extending far beyond the walls of Flight Centre Travel Group,” said Chris Galanty, Global Corporate CEO, Flight Centre Travel Group. “She has long been a true champion for women in the workplace, so I’m incredibly proud to see her being honored and celebrated for the way she is driving positive and meaningful change in our business.”
During her nearly three-decade career with Flight Centre Travel Group, Leiss has transformed the company into a recognized leader in the business travel space. In her leadership role, she has always been deeply committed to the advocacy and advancement of women at every stage of their careers, which has had a profound impact on the success of the business through the years.
Espada, Leiss, and the rest of the winners will be honored at the upcoming GBTA WINiT Gala on Thursday, October 24th at the iconic TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in Queens, New York. For more information on the GBTA WINiT Awards, please visit here.
About Flight Centre Travel Group
The Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers. The company, which is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in dozens of countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Asia. ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) also operates the global FCM corporate travel management network, which extends to more than 100 countries through company-owned businesses and independent licensees, along with Corporate Traveller, the flagship business specific to the small-to-medium-sized enterprise sector. For more information, visit fctgl.com.
About FCM Travel
FCM is one of the world’s largest travel management companies and a trusted partner for thousands of national and multi-national organizations, including many household brands, Fortune, and FTSE 100 companies. With a 24/7 reach in 95 countries, FCM’s agile and flexible technology anticipates and solves client needs supported by expert teams who provide in-depth local knowledge and duty of care as part of the ultimate personalized business travel experience.
As the flagship corporate travel arm of Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM is able to deliver some of the most competitive rates, unique added-value benefits, and exclusive solutions for its clients to support their business travel requirements. A recognized leader in the travel tech space, the company has debuted several proprietary client solutions over the last 12 months including a new omnichannel platform featuring a "first of its kind" customized end-to-end user experience and FCM Booking, an innovative option to traditional OBTs.
Alongside its travel management services, the company provides specialist services through FCM Consulting and FCM Meetings & Events to service broader needs of clients. Discover the alternative at www.fcmtravel.com
About GBTA WINiT
GBTA WINiT is a network of global women and men who serve as catalysts to drive change by providing support and empowering women to take the next step in their careers. The GBTA WINiT Program aims to support gender equity in the business travel industry by helping women thrive and advance throughout the lifecycle of their careers. The core programs of GBTA WINiT include mentorship, education and development, and network and community. Visit here to learn more about GBTA WINiT.
Media Contact
Scott Weiss – Flight Centre Travel Group
U.S. Director of PR and Communication
scott.weiss@us.flightcentre.com