Technical Advisory Committee

The Technical Advisory Committee offers expert recommendations to support the GSTC and its operations. Their insights help strengthen and enrich the decision-making process across GSTC activities. Members of the Technical Advisory Committee provide guidance to the GSTC Board and operations, specifically in areas related to GSTC accreditation, the Recognized-Standard program, and standard development and revision.

Current members of the TAC are listed below:

Alexandra Michat (Chief Purpose Officer at EXO Travel)

Alexandra Michat is the Chief Purpose Officer of EXO Travel Group, originally from France. Holding master’s degrees in Development, International Law, and Cooperation, Alexandra began a professional journey in nonprofit organizations before transitioning into public sector roles focused on development and international cooperation. With expertise in social and solidarity economy projects, promoting social inclusion, and fostering sustainable initiatives, this background paved the way for a career at EXO Travel in 2014.

Initially joining as a Sustainability Coordinator, before advancing to the role of Director of Sustainability for EXO Travel Group. In 2022, Alexandra was appointed as EXO’s Chief Purpose Officer and led the B-Corp certification process. In this role, Alexandra oversees EXO’s sustainability strategies and the EXO Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, which supports environmental grassroots organizations and local communities across Asia. Additionally, Alexandra is focused on advancing the company’s culture and people development.

Cady Wolf (GBTA)

With over 20 years of experience driving success for global brands in the travel, technology, and eCommerce sectors, Cady Wolf is a commercial leader with expertise spanning B2C, B2B, and SaaS-focused companies. As Vice President of Strategic Development at the GBTA Foundation—the nonprofit arm of GBTA dedicated to advancing People and Planet initiatives—Cady plays a key role in shaping the future of the business travel industry. Before joining GBTA, Cady founded A23 Advisors, a hospitality consulting firm, and held key commercial leadership roles at industry leaders like Travelocity, Sojern, and Switchfly during her 18 years in San Francisco.

A lifelong learner, Cady holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hospitality Management, as well as executive degrees from Cornell University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Virginia. She is deeply committed to industry advancement, serving on multiple advisory boards, founding Women in Travel Tech, and teaching in the Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism program at the University of Utah. Based in Park City, Utah, Cady balances her professional passions with an active outdoor lifestyle, enjoying life with her husband, three sons, and two dogs.

Gwendal Castellan (Sustainable Destination Development at Destination Vancouver)

Gwendal Castellan is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He brings insight to tourism development through his work in sustainable destination management at Destination Vancouver, where he has focused on advancing environmental, social and cultural development programs for the local community and tourism businesses. While seeking to deliver on the promise of a destination that transforms its visitors and its communities through positive experiences across the destination. His approach to sustainability is informed by diverse training and professional experiences that give him a multifaceted perspective on tourism’s environmental, social, and cultural impacts and opportunities.

Collaborators appreciate Gwendal’s ability to connect theoretical frameworks with practical applications, making complex sustainability concepts accessible and implementable. His professional journey spans both the tourism ecosystem, energy management, and applications of satellite remote sensing. He looks forward to bringing his experience to the work of the technical committee. Beyond his professional commitments, Gwendal finds rejuvenation and wellbeing when exploring natural environments near his home and far away on bicycles, boats, or two feet, or engaging in both familiar and unfamiliar cultural experiences. They reinforce his dedication to ensuring tourism creates positive outcomes for destinations and their communities.

Hannes Waldmüller Unterweger (Sustainability Coach for Destinations at IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige)

Hannes Waldmüller Unterweger is a sustainability coach for tourism destinations, with a strong focus on implementing responsible and future-oriented tourism strategies according to South Tyrol’s Sustainable Tourism Standard, a GSTC-Recognized Standard for Destinations. He formerly served as General Manager of two key tourism destinations in South Tyrol, where he also led initiatives to integrate sustainability into regional development and destination management. Hannes works closely with tourism organizations, local stakeholders, and municipalities to foster community-based approaches in tourism, resilience, and climate action.

In addition to his coaching activities, Hannes leads a vibrant online community in South Tyrol dedicated to sustainable tourism practices, where he facilitates knowledge exchange and dialogue among professionals in the field. His mission is to empower destinations to become agents of change through systemic thinking, innovation, and collaboration across sectors. He is convinced that every small step in the direction of a more sustainable tourism is an improvement and hopefully soon a giant leap for mankind. From mere Destination Management to Destination Transformation.

Leilani Latimer (Strategic Advisor and Advisory Board member at Food Mesh/ Sedex/ Fiùtur)

Leilani Latimer is a global C-suite executive and board director recognized for leading B2B, SaaS, and enterprise technology companies through growth, strategic transformation, and exits. An NACD Directorship Certified leader with deep expertise in ESG and sustainability, she is known for building data-driven, customer-centric organizations that deliver enduring value. She serves on the boards of Black Diamond Group (TSE: BDI), and Sedex, and on the advisory boards of venture-backed companies Fiutur, and FoodMesh. Past board roles include Independent Director at Rayont, Inc (RAYT), Chair of a national nonprofit, and advisor to global and Silicon Valley-based startups.

During a distinguished 25-year career at Sabre Holdings, Leilani held senior leadership roles across sales, product marketing, and commercial strategy before being appointed to lead the company’s global sustainability initiatives, reporting directly to the CEO. In this role, she designed and implemented ESG programs across global operations, launched the travel industry’s first Green Hotels program with Travelocity, and established the company’s first comprehensive sustainability reporting framework. Her work strengthened Sabre’s market leadership and advanced sustainability innovation across the travel sector. In addition, she served five years on the Executive Board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Leilani holds degrees and executive certificates from UC San Diego, UC Riverside, and Presidio Graduate School. She resides in San Francisco and holds dual US and Italian citizenship.

Dr. Stephanie Lee (Lecturer at Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong)

Dr. Stephanie Lee is a Lecturer at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, where she imparts her expertise to event management students through courses such as MICE Operation and Management, Event Sustainability, Contemporary Issues in Events, Marketing, and Communications. Her primary research interests include sustainability, well-being, and smart technologies within the context of event tourism. Her research has been published in scholarly journals and renowned publishers, including the Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Event Management, and Routledge. In addition, she serves as a Peer Reviewer for Tourism Recreation Research.

Before pursuing an academic career, Dr Lee amassed over a decade of managerial experience in the event industry across the Asia-Pacific region, working with globally recognized organizations such as Reed Exhibitions, AO Spine Asia Pacific, MIMS, and Pacific World Meetings & Events Hong Kong Limited. She also gained early professional experience through internships at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Walt Disney World. This extensive industry background has provided her with a deep and practical understanding of event tourism industry.

Zhou Wei (Vice President of Jin Jiang International Group)

Zhou Wei (Vivian) is the Vice President of Jin Jiang International Group and is in charge of global hospitality business, innovation, and group sales and marketing. In 2012, Zhou Wei joined Jin Jiang International Holding. Ever since then, she has been involved in major cross-border M&A and investment projects, including the acquisition of Groupe du Louvre, Accor shares, and Radisson Hotel Group. Since 2016, Zhou Wei has worked as the Chief Investment Officer of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotel Co., Ltd. and Deputy CEO of Shanghai Jin Jiang Louvre Asia Hotel Management Company. She has also served as the Board Director of Radisson AB, Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotel Co. Ltd. (A Share:600754) and Chairman of Shanghai Jin Jiang Travel Co. Ltd. (B Share: 900929), President of Groupe du Louvre.

Before joining Jin Jiang, she used to work for the Shanghai City Government, responsible for a myriad of political and economic partnership projects and exchanges at the national and local level. Zhou Wei holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, an MA in English from Beijing Foreign Studies University, an MA in International Public Relations from Cardiff University, and an EMBA from the Shanghai Academy of International Finance (SAIF).

Ingunn Sørnes (Accreditation Decision-Making Committee member I former Special Advisor at Innovation Norway)

Ingunn Sørnes has for 23 years worked in advancing and developing a more sustainable tourism in Norway. Until 2025, she held a position as a special advisor in Innovation Norway, the main Governmental organization assisting innovation and economic development in industries in Norway, among them tourism. Ingunn has been responsible for the strategy and operational work on sustainable tourism in Innovation Norway, providing a national sustainability program with strategies, tools, and instruments for assisting destinations and tourism businesses in their sustainability journey. Building certification knowledge and audit structures have been among the vital tasks.

Ingunn has a MSc from the University of Oslo and Oslo Business School. She also has several years of experience from business and rural development as an advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, in the State Bank of Agriculture, and in the Governments Regional Development Fund. The work has included work on national strategies and policies, operational projects, and training.

GSTC Board of Directors Representative – Koko Tang

Ms. Koko Tang is a dedicated advocate for sustainability and ESG innovation. As the Founder of Colorful Earth and Co-Founder of Vinetree Tourism, she focuses on biodiversity conservation, disability inclusion, and corporate sustainable transitions. Her work connects global and local perspectives, offering practical tools and strategies to advance sustainable development.

Koko serves as a Board Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the Enterprise Financial Management Association of China (EFMAC), where she actively contributes to ESG initiatives. At Fudan University, she promotes sustainability research and practice as the ESG Director of the Institute of Commerce, Civilization, and Commons. She has also authored an ESG textbook for Fudan’s EMBA and MBA programs, bridging academic knowledge with practical applications.

Her initiatives include leading the Pollinator Protectors Alliance, a collaborative effort to protect pollinator species, and developing resources such as guides for building insect hotels and designing pollinator-friendly urban spaces. Additionally, Koko is deeply committed to advancing disability inclusion, supporting businesses in creating accessible products and services, and fostering equitable workplace environments.

Technical Advisory Committee