The opportunity to explore new places led Melissa Maher to embark on career in the travel industry. But making the world more inclusive, accessible, and connected has fueled her love of the industry for more than two decades. As senior vice president of Marketing and Industry Engagement, Melissa brings together her purpose-driven leadership and passion for great storytelling to design global programs that inspire and engage Expedia Group’s travel partners. In her role, Melissa leads the teams responsible for Expedia Group’s business-to-business marketing, public relations, owner engagement, partner loyalty solutions, and strategic events.

Melissa is dedicated to creating space for diverse voices in the travel industry. She served as Expedia Group’s first Chief Inclusion Officer where she led the team responsible for celebrating and championing diversity and creating a sense of belonging for employees, customers, partners, and communities. To drive positive change in the career mobility for women in travel, Melissa serves on the board of WINiT by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a network that provides unique career development opportunities. Melissa also serves on the board of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth, and is a content contributor for GlobalHotelNetwork.com.

Melissa not only believes in connecting the world through travel but doing her part to make the world a better place through her charitable giving and volunteer work for the Lupus Foundation of America, Crystal Cove Conservancy, and the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
Prior to working at Expedia Group, Melissa opened the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as Director of Conference Center Sales, served as Director of Tour and Conference Sales with the Las Vegas Hilton, and received her MBA and BS from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.