The Global Business Travel Association has created a new 18-member advisory board for Australia in an effort to expand its presence in the country, the organization announced.
Australia, which ranked 11th among global business travel markets in GBTA's Business Travel Index last year, "is a vital market for business travel, and the new board brings together diverse expertise from across the region," according to Catherine Logan, GBTA SVP for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the Asia/Pacific region. The country's estimated $26.7 billion in business travel spending in 2024 represented 12 percent of spending on business travel worldwide.
The board is chaired by Andy O'Mara, head of travel and expense for Australian software company Canva. Other members include:
- ResMed Australia director of procurement operations Ama Aidoo-Sam
- Cochlear strategic sourcing manager for global business services Lisa Batchelor
- Veronica Bergel, Australia and Asia travel lead for Herbert Smith Freehills
- Enterprise Mobility strategic sales direction for the APAC region Jim Crowder
- Karryn Cutcheon, Marriott senior director for global sales in Australia and New Zealand
- Ascott Limited GM of brand and ESG Anthea Dimitrakopoulos
- Frosch Travel VP of the Asia Pacific region Anna Fisher
- Origin Energy travel services manager Melanie Giles
- Bain & Co. senior RSM of global safety and security and global travel risk Ashley Houston
- Accor director of corporate sales for government and airlines in the Pacific region Emma Jones
- Avis Budget Group head of sales for the Pacific region Kurt Knackstedt
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia senior manager for travel and events Bill Kokovas
- Sue McEvoy, FCM head of sales for Australia and New Zealand
- Festive Road head of performance Mike Orchard
- AMP senior commercial manager for strategic partnering, sourcing and property Tanaz Pochkhanawalla
- BCD Travel senior sales director for the APAC region Siobhan Prideaux
- Optus corporate T&E program specialist Agnes Tsoa Lee
GBTA also has named Derek Sadubin as country manager for Australia and New Zealand, a position based in Sydney that will report to GBTA regional director for APAC Elle Ng-Darmawan. Sadubin was with CAPA Centre for Aviation for nearly 24 years, most recently serving as its managing director.