Global Vision Awards 2020: How We Chose the Panel and Honorees

Here's how Travel + Leisure chose the Global Vision Awards panel and whittled down the contenders to the final list of honorees.

Global Vision Awards - Costa Rica
Photo: William Hereford

Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards aims to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. Not only are they demonstrating thought leadership and creative problem-solving, they are taking actionable, quantifiable steps to protect communities and environments around the world. What’s more, they are inspiring their industry colleagues and travelers to do their part.

In order to ensure a broad spectrum of innovations were represented in the Global Vision Awards, Travel + Leisure editors assembled a panel of experts (below) across the travel, hospitality, and retail industries, as well as the non-profit sector. These thought-leaders have made concerted efforts to support more eco-friendly and responsible initiatives in their personal and professional lives. Each person submitted a list of nominations, along with a short explanation for each pick. Those nominations were then vetted by contributor Jeff Chu and the editors of Travel + Leisure.

The Panel

Deborah Berke is an architect and designer of 21C Museum Hotels.

Deborah Calmeyer is the chief executive officer of luxury safari outfitter Roar Africa.

Susie Ellis is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Global Wellness Institute.

Zim Flores is a writer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Travel Noire, a digital travel brand focused on the African diaspora.

Neil Jacobs is the chief executive officer of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Karissa Kruse is the president of Sonoma County Winegrowers.

Sven-Olof Lindblad is the chief executive officer of expedition-cruise operator Lindblad Expeditions.

Gregory Miller is the executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel.

Nate Mook is the executive director of World Central Kitchen, an non-governmental not-for-profit organization providing food relief after natural disasters.

Nichole Powell is the founder and CEO of sustainable personal-care brand Kinfield.

Jen Rubio is the cofounder of luggage brand Away.

Erinch Sahan is the chief executive of the World Fair Trade Organization.

Jim Sano is the vice president of travel, tourism, and conservation at the World Wildlife Fund.

Fred Swaniker is the cofounder of the African Leadership Academy and African Leadership Network.

Kevin West is a Travel + Leisure editor at large.

Gisela Williams is a Travel + Leisure special correspondent.

And the editors of Travel + Leisure.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles