Skift IDEA Awards 2023: Meet The Judges

25.08.2023 - 13:42 / skift.com / Adam Stacey / Darrell Wade

Get ready to meet the incredible team of industry experts that will be joining the judging panel. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome these brilliant minds who will bring their unique perspectives and experiences to assess the submissions for this year’s awards.

As you may know, each year, we select a handful of independent judges to join us in the exciting task of assessing submissions for the Skift IDEA Awards. We’re proud to say that our judges are carefully handpicked by the Skift team and include travel industry veterans, entrepreneurs, imagineers, and global leaders.

With this year’s panel, we are excited to welcome a fresh and diverse perspective to the awards. Our judges have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various aspects of the travel industry and will undoubtedly bring a wealth of insights to the table. We’re confident that they will help us identify the most groundbreaking and inspiring ideas that are transforming the travel industry as we know it.

Without further ado, let us introduce you to our incredible line-up of judges who will be assessing this year’s submissions:

Aaron Walton , CEO & Founder, Walton Isaacson:

Recognized as a trailblazer and thought leader, Aaron’s focus on innovation and cultural engagement has transformed traditional marketing and advertising strategies. As the CEO/co-founder of Walton Isaacson (WI), Aaron’s focus is squarely on identifying unseen opportunities rooted in cultural insights and connections, transforming the definition of the agency model by prioritizing diversity of thinking, and encouraging strategic solutions that defy tradition.

Aditi Mohapatra , Vice President, Global Social Impact & Sustainability, Expedia Group:

Aditi Mohapatra directs Expedia Group’s strategy across social and environmental sustainability. She oversees efforts to maximize impact while delivering business value – most recently leading the launch of Expedia Group’s new Open World™ social impact and sustainability strategy, focusing on making travel more open and inclusive for all.

Aliya Khan, Vice President of Design, Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International:

Aliya Khan, Vice President Global Design Strategies at Marriott International is an award-winning talent, and the driving force behind the disruptive and forward-thinking design approach for Marriott’s Lifestyle portfolio. In her role, Aliya helps to define the foundational elements of Aloft, AC Hotels, Autograph, Element, Le Meridien, Moxy, Renaissance, Tribute and Westin, distinguishing each with a clear design personality and focus.

Darrell Wade, Co-Founder & Chairman, Intrepid:

Darrell Wade is the Co-founder and Chair of Intrepid, the world’s largest certified travel B Corp. A highly regarded entrepreneur