Intrepid Travel has announced a new leadership team for North America to spearhead growth in the region.
Chief customer officer Lee Burns has been appointed president, Americas, while Canadian travel industry executive Christian Walters has been appointed to the newly created role of president, Canada.
Burns (main image) has been with the company for over 10 years and is currently responsible for leading the company's customer strategy to deliver revenue growth. He will assume his new role in January 2025 and will lead all aspects of the region including operations, sales and marketing. Burns is currently based in Intrepid's global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and plans to relocate with his family to the US Pacific Northwest.
Burns led Intrepid's North American team through a period of record growth from 2015 to 2018, and was subsequently appointed Intrepid's first Chief Purpose Officer in 2019. In this role, he further embedded impact into the company's model and approach to balancing purpose and profit.
“The Intrepid brand has grown exponentially in North America since opening our first small office in California more than 20 years ago, to become the fastest growing region in the world,” said CEO James Thornton. “Under this new structure, the Americas will play a key role in our ambitious growth strategy through 2030.”
The announcement marks other changes to the Americas leadership team.
Matt Berna (right)
Matt Berna, current president, Americas, will become senior vice president, U.S. Sales & Operations and Global B2B External Sales. Berna will focus on developing Intrepid's domestic business, including Intrepid-owned Wildland Trekking, U.S. B2B sales, and global business development for Intrepid's DMC network. Berna has played a pivotal role in Intrepid's growth, including developing Intrepid's North American strategy. Berna will serve as president, Americas until January 2025.
Christian Walters
Meanwhile, Christian Walters will return to Intrepid in the newly created role of President Canada and General Manager of Marketing for North America, effective July 1, 2024. Christian is a proven leader who most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer for TourRadar and also led the North American team for the past nine years. Notably, Christian was a member of Intrepid's founding team in Canada from 2008 to 2015, ultimately serving as General Manager and Vice President of Sales.
The move marks a new opportunity for Tom Smith, who will assume the role of general manager, Central America and Mexico. Smith will report to Gary Cohen, managing director, Americas. Cohen is a member of the Americas leadership team, along with Matt Berna, Christian Walters and other key functional leaders, and will report to new president, Americas, Lee Burns, effective January 1, 2025.
“This organization will help take Intrepid to the next level in the Americas,” Thornton added. “We know that travel connects people, opens hearts and minds, and creates deeper understanding. Never before has this been needed more. The world needs more Intrepid talent, and we believe now is the time to double down on our opportunities in the United States and the broader Americas region.”
