Intrepid Travel has big plans for growth in North America and has announced a new North American leadership team and structure to execute its growth strategy. Changes include the appointment of Christian Walters to the newly created role of President, Canada.
Other changes include Lee Burns, current chief customer officer, becoming president of the Americas. Burns has been with the company for more than 10 years. He will assume his new role in January 2025 and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the region, including operations, sales and marketing. Burns currently works out of Intrepid's global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, and plans to relocate with his family to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Burns led Intrepid's North American team through a period of record growth from 2015 to 2018, before being appointed Intrepid's first Chief Purpose Officer in 2019. In this role, he focused on 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 and Tom Smith of Intrepid Travel. (Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel)
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.
According to Intrepid, Berna has played a pivotal role in the company's growth, including shaping the company's North American strategy. He will serve as president, Americas, until January 2025.
Significantly, Walters is returning as President Canada and General Manager of North American Marketing, effective July 1. He was a founding team member of Intrepid Canada from 2008 to 2015, ultimately serving as General Manager and Vice President of Sales.
Walters most recently served as TourRadar's Chief Marketing Officer, where he led the North American team for the past nine years.
“This organization will help take Intrepid to the next level in the Americas,” Thornton said. “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.”
