Anita’s passion is a driving force and is instrumental in shaping, strengthening, and contributing to CTM’s overall global presence and financial performance. Known for fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Anita excels in aligning teams with organizational goals. She is results driven and has a knack for identifying opportunities, navigating challenges, and implementing solutions that drive sustainable growth. As CEO, Anita brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving transformation and operational excellence in a dynamic business environment.

As former COO and EVP of Customer Success, Anita spearheaded customer-centric and operational initiatives by harnessing technology and data-driven insights to streamline processes and optimize customer engagement, support, and service. With a keen understanding of the market and placing the customer at the heart of every decision, Anita formulated and executed innovative strategies through cross-functional collaboration to ensure customers achieved their goals.

Anita’s strategic foresight has been a catalyst for success in her previous roles. With a career spanning over 30 years, Anita has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Anita rapidly progressed through the ranks, leaving an indelible mark in each of her executive leadership roles.

Anita is a founding member of Women in Travel (WINiT) and an active member of GBTA and a former board member of the Travel & Leisure Advisory Board.

Renee Bubke joined the CTM organization in 2018, previously having worked in finance roles at Masco Corporation, Chrysler Group, and Ernst & Young.

In 2022, Renee assumed leadership of CTM’s Finance organization, preparing for her new role as CFO beginning in 2023.

Renee is based in Omaha, NE, and has proven herself an excellent leader and the right person to help move CTM forward in her expanded capacity.

Penny is a data-driven leader with proven success in multiple facets of the travel industry, a comprehensive understanding of change management, and a collaborative approach to offer differentiation in solutions.

She began her career in the travel industry in 1986 as a corporate travel counselor, quickly moving into leadership roles. Penny joined the organization in 1997, managing teams responsible for maintaining key client relationships. At the end of 2020, Penny was appointed to Senior Vice President / General Manager – Central region.

Penny has been an allied member of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) for several years. In conjunction with GBTA and the Wharton School of Business, Penny received her Global Leadership Professional® (GLP) Designation in 2010.

As part of CTM’s executive leadership team, Penny is responsible for the success of our operational regions in North America.

Mary Ellen (George) Hess is an experienced sales and marketing executive with a passion for technology and customer experience. In her role as Executive Vice President, Business Development, North America, Mary Ellen spearheads client acquisitions for CTM North America.

Mary Ellen joined CTM as a highly regarded travel industry professional with more than three decades of proven success in leading high-performance teams, product development, digital transformation, and superior results in bringing new solutions to the travel industry.

Mary Ellen’s accolades include recognition from WINiT by Global Business Travel Association’s Top 40 Women in Travel, as well as Skift’s Corporate Travel Innovators list. She currently serves on the GBTA Allied Council.

Prior to joining CTM, Mary Ellen held executive leadership roles within the travel industry at a highly advanced TMC platform technology company and three global TMCs.

As part of the CTM’s senior leadership team, Mary Ellen leverages her extensive travel industry knowledge integrating sales and marketing teams while achieving CTM North America’s growth goals.

Lisa began her career in private practice with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters, including contract review and negotiation.  She graduated from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska College of Law.

In her career at Travel and Transport, and then CTM after their acquisition, Lisa spent six years as Assistant General Counsel. In late 2021, she took the opportunity to lead the privacy and information governance programs at a regional bank, before returning to CTM.

As Chief Legal Officer and part of the executive committee at CTM North America, Lisa is responsible for managing legal risk for the North American organization.

Erik’s journey in supplier relations began 10 years ago when he joined Ultramar Travel Management overseeing the air and ground categories. Erik served as Travel and Transport’s VP of Partner Solutions prior to Travel and Transport’s acquisition by CTM in 2020. Rounding out his experience, Erik also spent time working in regional and global sales at The Lufthansa Group, as well as holding various roles within BCD Travel.

Growing up in Rockaway Beach, Queens, and in the arrival and departure path of JFK, Erik developed a enthusiasm for flight and travel as a young boy. Erik is based in New York City where lives with his partner of 22 years, Paul, and their dog, Bradley.

Debbie Westlake joined CTM in 2022 in the newly created role of SVP, Operations and Service Excellence. Westlake oversees external and internal service strategy and delivery, including a focus on long-term, productive and profitable sustainability and growth.

Westlake spent 20 years at CWT, where she held a variety of leadership roles, most recently as VP, Traveler Services Support for the Americas, a position she held for 14 years that encompassed strategic planning, project management, workforce management, operational reporting, training, business continuity, real estate & facilities, technical business requirements, and client implementations.

Since departing CWT, Westlake held positions in operations leadership at Adelman Travel, Ciox Health, and Press Ganey.

April is a driven customer experience executive and decisive leader with an extensive history of building, developing, and leading customer-focused teams.

Her accomplished tenure in the travel industry is paired with proven success in fostering efficiency and focusing on customer satisfaction. As a disciplined leader, she excels in operations management, strategic planning, goal setting, interacting with customers, and problem-solving.

April was appointed to SVP of Customer Success in 2021. In this role, April ensures that our customers get the best out of their relationship with CTM, via consistent communications, service, and solutions.  

Sarah D’Alessandro joined CTM in 2022 as Senior Vice President/General Manager overseeing the New York/New Jersey region.

D’Alessandro is an industry veteran with over 30 years in the business travel industry. Her experience includes leadership positions in operations at Direct Travel and, subsequently, BCD Travel, where she spent more than 20 years.

Most recently, Sarah served as Vice President, setting the operational strategy for $2.6 billion in global travel spend for a diverse and high-profile client portfolio spanning 70+ countries.

Amy DeSantis has enjoyed over 10 years with CTM, having joined the organization in 2012.

After first leading the East region’s Account Management team, Amy was promoted to Senior Vice President/General Manager, Operations for the Northeast Region in 2022.

Prior to her time with CTM, Amy spent six years with FCM Travel Solutions as Business Development Manager

Carol is a driven customer experience executive and decisive leader with an extensive history of building, developing, and leading customer-focused teams.

Carol’s thirty years of business travel industry experience drives her success in managing client relationships, while implementing processes that foster team work, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. She is a disciplined leader who excels in operations management, strategic planning, goal setting, interacting with customers and problem solving.  Carol’s outstanding interpersonal skills enable her to cultivate strong business relationships and to mentor and develop team members.

As part of CTM’s senior leadership team, Carol is responsible for sales, operations and account management for the Mountain Region of CTM North America, including P&L, staffing, and ultimate client retention responsibility.  She leads a strong team to deliver CTM service and technology solutions to each customer in a fast-paced, high-growth and diverse environment.

Tara Fisher brings over 25 years of expertise in travel management, encompassing global account management, sourcing, marketing, business development, and procurement. Since joining CTM in 2013, Tara has been instrumental in leading teams that drive business growth, foster customer relationships, and ensure exceptional client satisfaction.

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Tara combines her industry knowledge and leadership skills to deliver innovative solutions that support her clients’ needs while championing team development and organizational success.

Christy Prescott is a trailblazing entrepreneur with over 29 years of extraordinary success. Her tenured travel industry career is marked with innovation and leadership as she founded, guided, and earned a reputation as a visionary in the travel industry. As Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Corporate Travel Planners (CTP), now Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP), Christy built and expanded CTP into one of the largest privately-owned travel agencies before Corporate Travel Management (CTM) acquired the company in December 2019.

As Chief Executive Officer of CTP, she is part of CTM’s senior leadership team. Christy is responsible for managing CTM’s university clients’ relationships and strategic business direction.

Christy is passionate about philanthropy and founded her charity, Christy’s Hope for Battered Women and Children, over two decades ago.

Karen Thorburn started her career with Corporate Travel Management in 2010, before her appointment as Senior Vice President/General Manager of CTM’s Pacific Region.

In her many years with the company, Karen has been an outstanding contributor operationally and with clients, and is well respected among the Pacific team, her peers, and CTM clients.

Teri has over 37 years of experience in the meeting and events industry.  A graduate of the University of Central Florida’s Hospitality Management program, she started her career in the destination management business in both sales and operational capacities.

She moved into special events at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL as Vice President of Park & Events Sales, heading the sales and services team that specialized in corporate, association, and incentive events in the theme parks.

Teri then made a career move into the tradeshow industry as the Regional Director of Account Management of the South Atlantic Division for GES.  After four years in the tradeshow industry, Teri returned to meeting and event planning in a regional manager capacity for a nationwide DMC. After owning her own meeting and event company, she was pulled back into the corporate world joining CTM Meetings & Events in 2018.

Teri and her family moved to Colorado in June of 2012 simply for the love of the state’s beauty and outdoor activities that her family enjoys so much.  She is also an active member of the Rocky Mountain MPI Chapter.

With over 20 years in marketing, sales, and communications, Angie is passionate about communicating the CTM story, driving competitive marketing strategies, and creating meaningful interactions with our clients, partners, and the media.

She began her career as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Leisure Trends Group [now part of NPD Group], before joining CTM in 2006 as the Director of Marketing.

During Angie’s storied career with CTM, she has held many positions, including Communications Manager, Director of National Sales Support, and Executive Director of National Sales Support. Angie brings a wealth of team management experience, travel industry knowledge and sales insights.

In her role as Vice President, Marketing, Angie manages the CTM North America marketing strategy, strategic communications plans, establishing and maintaining CTM’s brand awareness, lead-generation, and customer engagement goals.

Debbie Langen brings more than 20 years of experience in growing the CTM business. Focusing on large markets and global business development, she is passionate about building strong professional relationships and solving unique client problems.

Based in Florida, she is an integral part of the CTM’s global sales team.

As part of the CTM North America national leadership team, Debbie is responsible for supporting the North American sales team via training, mentoring, coaching, and strategy development.