Tourism Cares Staff & Board

Tourism Cares Staff

A small but mighty team, we are dedicated to advancing the positive impact of the travel industry through our programs, events, and opportunities. Let’s chat!

Greg Takehara, CEO

There are many faces of Tourism Cares and as CEO, I am fortunate to be one. I have strived to be a poster child for the organization since its beginning. The inaugural Ellis Island event in 2003 sparked an interest in giving back to our travel and tourism industry. I volunteered throughout the years, became a team leader, then a board member and from there, was honored to become its Chairman and subsequently, its CEO. I believe that progression wasn’t a coincidence. We have a lot of work to do, creating and inspiring positive social and environmental impact, to ensure an enduring sustainable future, so we need your help and support. Please reach out to me at any time.
Greg.Takehara@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Paula Vlamings, Chief Impact Officer

Tourism Cares works to create a positive impact through tourism. As the Chief Impact Officer, I help identify, leverage, and activate our members’ ability to do just that. My decade in politics before Tourism Cares incorporated diplomacy, community engagement, and multi-sector collaborations into my work, which I believe are crucial to lasting change. By connecting social enterprises, community-based tourism, and sustainability leaders to the wider industry, we can make travel a force for good.

Paula.Vlamings@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Jessica Flores, Chief Experience Officer

As Chief Experience Officer and a 15-year plus Tourism Cares veteran, I connect our why with our how through storytelling and program development. The people of this organization – our members, partners, staffers, and friends – are the heart and soul. I best serve our community by telling their stories and amplifying how we can use travel for good. So reach out! I’d love to hear from you and brainstorm on the unique ways we can work together.

Jessica.Flores@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Kati Hagedorn, Director of Events

As the Director of Events, I work with our local partners and the Tourism Cares team to ensure programs and events provide the greatest value for our community. My 13+ years at Tourism Cares have taught me that listening to and learning from our host destinations and partners is one of the most important aspects of ensuring the success of our programs.  Please be sure to join us in person or online and I look forward to seeing you at our next program!

Kati.Hagedorn@tourismcares.org

Karrie Hylen, Director of Operations + Finance

I fell in love with Tourism Cares at my first volunteer event in Gettysburg, PA, and haven’t looked back since. I’ve played a variety of roles over the years and am admired by my coworkers as both a cheerleader and the person who will yell at you if you leave your dirty fork in our common-area kitchen. Excel spreadsheets and crossing things off my list are my happy place and finance and operations management is my jam! Let me know how I can get YOU to fall in love with Tourism Cares, too!

Karrie.Hylen@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Lauren Tilton, Community Engagement Manager

As the Community Engagement Manager, I am your go-to girl for all things related to your membership.  Feel free to reach out at any time to discuss ways you can get more involved in our programs and our network. Interested in joining Tourism Cares?  Let’s connect!  I can’t wait to tell you more about how you can share in our collective effort to use tourism as a force for good. 

Lauren.Tilton@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

John Sutherland, Senior Director of Community Impact

I first came into the Tourism Cares orbit when working for Collette, one of Tourism Cares’ long-standing members, and so was lucky enough to experience the amazing people and engaging programs before joining the team. As the Senior Director of Community Impact, I work with the team on programs meant to educate our member community and impact travel destinations, including the Meaningful Travel Platform, the Meaningful Travel Map, and our grants. Let us know how we can help you along on your sustainability journey and drive meaningful change in your product to make travel a positive economic, social, and environmental force.
John.Sutherland@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Kristina Rocks, Community Impact Manager

I have been fortunate enough to work in the hospitality and tourism industry for over a decade, and after completing my Master’s degree in Global Sustainability, I knew I wanted to work towards bringing these dynamic topics closer. As the Community Impact Manager, I strive to create the greatest positive impact on the communities we work with, our members, and the industry overall. Please feel free to reach out at any time, I’d love to connect with you!
Kristina.Rocks@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Carrie Hodgen, Director of Community Development

As a passionate adventurer and community builder, I am so excited to be part of the Tourism Cares team.  With over two decades of experience in the non-profit space, I know that working together is the only way we can move our mission forward. I am enthusiastic about changing the world through travel and helping members chart their paths to that shared goal. Please reach out and connect! I look forward to making a difference together.
Carrie.Hodgen@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Whitney Smith, Director of Marketing + Communications

I first fell in love with travel while working in the wine industry and connecting with vineyards around the globe. As a strategic storyteller, mindful marketer, and data geek, I am fortunate to have the awesome opportunity to share Tourism Cares’ mission with the travel and tourism community. Having worked in the tourism industry for nearly 10 years, I deeply understand the impact travel can have on people and places. Do you have a story to share about Tourism Cares? Let’s connect! Together, we can help spread the word and ensure that travel is used as a force for good.
Whitney.Smith@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Grace Klopp, Marketing Manager

My passion for responsible travel began during a three-year stint working with a non-profit in Costa Rica, where I saw firsthand how travel can foster healthy community development, cross-cultural understanding, conservation, and sustainability initiatives. With seven years of experience in communications and marketing, I am thrilled to be a part of amplifying the stories of Tourism Cares’ impactful work and inspiring the travel community to invest in and embrace the power of meaningful travel.

Grace.Klopp@tourismcares.org LinkedIn

Work or Volunteer with Tourism Cares

We welcome the opportunity to engage with you on our job postings, internships, and volunteer opportunities. The roles we currently have available are listed below.