The GBTA Foundation is being relaunched to help the corporate travel industry to create a “positive impact and a better future for people and the planet”.
The charitable arm of the GBTA and its newly appointed board of industry leaders will now provide governance on issues such as climate action, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and workforce development initiatives.
GBTA’s CEO Suzanne Neufang said: “We are excited to re-establish the GBTA Foundation within a fine-tuned scope of ‘people and planet’.
“It’s an important moment in GBTA’s 54-year history, as we renew our commitment to creating lasting, positive impact. The GBTA Foundation, along with its newly appointed board of directors, will focus on making a positive impact in our industry and beyond.”
Paul Abbott, American Express Global Business Travel’s CEO, will serve aschairperson of the GBTA Foundation’s board of directors for the next two years.
“I’m very pleased to lead the GBTA Foundation at this critical time − to pave the way for progress via ambitious programmes and initiatives focused on sustainability,” said Abbott.
The foundation will also now manage GBTA’s sustainability programme, which was launched last year, as well as the people-related initiatives WINiT by GBTA and GBTA Ladders.
Among the new board's members are United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, Google’s global travel manager Darragh Ormsby,Festive Road’s Caroline Strachan and Erica Gordon, global head of public affairs and ESG at Hilton.
The board held its first meeting earlier this month. It is currently focusing on governance, providing guidance on GBTA’s existing programmes and setting priorities for 2023.
Delphine Millot, who was hired by GBTA in January 2022, will administer the foundation as managing director and senior vice president for sustainability.
“This is an important opportunity for GBTA to create lasting impact via relevant research, education and other programmes that not only benefit our industry but bring the general public and policy makers closer to us on these relevant topics,” explained Millot.