November 5, 2026

People on the Move

Keep up to date with key industry movers and shakers.

GLOBAL EXPERTISE CONNECTED

This page is sponsored by The Hayward Partnership

thehaywardpartnership.com/executive-talent

Q4 2024

Todd Traynor-Corey

PROMOTED AT: Alaska Airlines TO: Vice President Guest Products and Experience

Traynor-Corey will oversee guest experience, lounges, inflight products and experience, and cabin products for Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air.

John Allard

JOINS: Optimum Solutions, Inc. AS: COO, Optimum Solutions and Optimum Strategies

Formerly President and GM of Fleury Michon America, where he championed culinary excellence and operational efficiency, Allard has joined Optimum Solutions.

Jane Bernier-Tran

JOINS: Optimum Solutions Inc. USA
AS: Vice President, Business Development

Industry leader Bernier-Tran previously held senior management roles, including tenures at United Airlines and Continental, and has now joined Optimum Solutions.

Paul Thomson

PROMOTED AT: gategourmet TO: General Manager KSA

With over 27 years of airline catering experience, Thomson will head up Gate Gourmet’s new state-of-the-art airline catering facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

ALSO ON THE MOVE… >> Simon Francis has joined Compass Supply Solutions as Managing Director, coming from Chichester Bond Limited. >> Thomas Harker has been promoted at Gate Gourmet to Executive Chef KSA. Harker has extensive knowledge and experience in fine dining.

Q3 2024

Bassem Riahi

JOINS: Air Canada AS: Director Onboard Experience PREVIOUSLY: WestJet, Qatar & Etihad

An experienced aviation professional with a strong cabin interiors, service delivery, product development, catering and performance management

Íris Anna Groeneweg

JOINS: Foodcase International AS: Commercial Director for North America, FROM: Icelandair

Will lead commercial activities, drive business growth, and develop strategies for North American expansion, while fostering relationships with industry partners.

Melanie Berry

JOINS: Vueling AS: Chief Customer Officer FROM: Iberia

Responsible for overseeing customer experience and driving satisfaction, loyalty and business growth by aligning customer-centric strategies across the airline.

Paula Lafora

JOINS: Iberia AS: Director of Customer Experience FROM: Iberia Design & Delivery

Will lead customer experience transformation across the journey, ensuring a robust four-star service and product, and building employee engagement.

ALSO ON THE MOVE… >> The Hayward Partnership has announced two new partners. Michelle Green, formerly at Tourvest, and Christopher Stubbs, from Stubbs C Design. They bring expertise in customer experience curation, client management, strategy, e-commerce and more.

Q2 2024

Louise Leaupepe

JOINS: Riyadh Air AS: Inflight Experience Senior Manager FROM: Air New Zealand

With over 20 years experience across inflight product, service, operations and interiors, Louise will be responsible for developing the inflight offer for Riyadh Air.

Sarah Stedman

JOINS: John Horsfall AS: Account Executive

Following 10 years’ industry experience at Camira Fabrics, Sarah brings in-depth knowledge across textiles manufacturing, logistics and customer service to the team.

John Moriarty

JOINS: Retail inMotion AS: CEO FROM: Beyond

John brings a wealth of experience in the travel and onboard retail business globally. He previously served as Chief Retail Officer of gategroup and has held various leadership positions.

Bridget Schmidt

JOINS: Intervine AS: Cruise Line Sales Manager

After a spell as Chief Financial Officer, Sharon is now responsible for the business stability and growth the company that owns Compass Supply Solutions.

Naoko Nishijima

ANA Catering Service AS: President and CEO

Naoko Nishijima has been appointed as the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of ANA Catering Service. Naoko first joined ANA in 1983 as a flight attendant.

Mark Coleman

JOINS: Intervine AS: Chief Commercial Officer

Mark brings his 25 years of customer-centric wine industry experience and product innovation to lead commercial strategy at Intervine and to support its continued growth.

ALSO ON THE MOVE… >> LSG Group has announced plans to devolve more responsibility to its regional and functional entities. The team will be led by new CEO Greg Anderson, who joins the company from Securitas AB North America Division, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Anderson will be supported by new CFO Nathan Oujezdsky, who joins the company from Flix North America, where he also served as CFO. New COO Jeff Riedel has been President of United Ground Express since 2022.

Q1 2024

Marianna Levy

Conetic AS: Executive Vice President
FROM: Internal

A year after joining Conetic, whose portfolio includes Touch, Marianna has been promoted from Vice President of Customer Experience to the company’s EVP position.

Marc Warde

JOINS: Foodcase International AS: Global Special Meals Programme Director

Marc is responsible for special meals programmes, focusing on delivering exceptional dining experiences for passengers with food allergies and intolerances.

Ashley Kerber

JOINS: Kaelis AS: Regional Director, North America FROM: En Route

Ashley’s focus will be driving sales growth and nurturing customer relationships in North America, aligning with Kaelis’ commitment to provide excellent service.

Sharon Crompton

CSS Group Ltd AS: Managing Director
FROM: Internal

After a spell as Chief Financial Officer, Sharon is now responsible for the business stability and growth the company that owns Compass Supply Solutions.

Stuart Grief

InterLnkd AS: Board Advisor

InterLnkd, which has developed an intelligent product matching engine to boost ancillary revenue, has appointed Stuart as a board advisor. He continues to serve as EVP with Forbes Travel Guide.

Jenny Jackson

JOINS: United Airlines AS: Director of Food and Beverage Programmes

Now with United Airlines, Jenny has a passion for all things culinary and brings more than 20 years of airline industry experience to the team.

ALSO ON THE MOVE… >> oneworld alliance has appointed Nathaniel Pieper, Alaska Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Fleet, Finance and Alliances, as CEO from April 1, 2024 >> Markus Binkert has left his position as Chief Financial Officer of Swiss International Air Lines to become CEO of the SV Group >> Sven Thaler has been appointed Lufthansa Group Airlines’ Group Senior Director Sales for Northern Europe >> En Route has made several senior management appointments, including Dawn Collinson (Procurement Director) and David Collins (Supply Chain Director) >>

GLOBAL EXPERTISE CONNECTED

This page is sponsored by The Hayward Partnership

thehaywardpartnership.com/executive-talent

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