CWT’s executive leadership team features more than 200 years’ combined experience in all facets of global travel, hospitality, logistics, technology, and the law. They have set a winning strategy that our clients and their employees can count on to help them keep moving and deliver travel management services that drive bottom line results.
Patrick Andersen is our President & Chief Executive Officer, and was appointed to the position on 1 May 2022. Immediately prior to this he was President and Chief Commercial Officer where he managed and oversaw several industry-defining initiatives including the launch of myCWT China, the expansion of RoomIt by CWT, and the development of innovative long-term GDS technology partnership agreements. He joined CWT in 2008 and has over 30 years’ experience in global travel & logistics, with various international leadership roles at Deutsche Post Worldwide and DHL. Patrick also serves as a Non-Executive Member of the Board at Global Minnesota, and MNSNAP, and is on the Board of Overseers for the Carlson School of Management. He studied management at the London Business School.
Lauren Aste is Chief Legal Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
She joined CWT in 2007 and has more than 20 years’ experience global travel and law, with various international leadership roles in Dechert LLP and Chadbourne & Parke LLP. Lauren also serves on the board of the World Childhood Foundation USA.
She received her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, holds an MA from New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science, and a BA from Wellesley College. She is admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of England and Wales and is a member of the New York and Connecticut State Bars.
Judy Hendrick is Chief Financial Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. A former CFO and Chief Growth Officer of Aimbridge Hospitality, she has 20 years’ extensive experience in hospitality and banking – including 15 years at Wyndham International and senior positions at Chase Manhattan Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and First Republic Bank. Judy holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas, and is an alumni of Kansas State University.
Belinda Hindmarsh is our Chief Growth Officer, and a member of the Executive Leadership team. Belinda has over 20 years’ experience in the travel tech space, and joined CWT in 2018, having held various international and global operations, marketing, supplier management and commercial roles with Expedia Group and Aer Lingus. Belinda studied international business at the Copenhagen Business College, Niels Brock.
Julia Kou is our Chief Strategy Officer, and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. She joined CWT in 2016 following M&A, capital markets, and legal roles with Capgemini, Travelport, Cendant Travel Distribution Services Group Inc., and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Julia graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in International Relations and East Asian Studies, and holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Brian Mogler is our Chief Partnership Officer, and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He has more than 30 years’ travel industry experience, and joined CWT in 2011, having held a variety of management roles at American Express Corporate Card, American Express Business Travel, and United Airlines. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona.
John Pelant is Chief Technology Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
He joined CWT in 1991 and has held various leadership positions, with both global and Americas remits, and is at the forefront of helping to deliver the company’s CWT 3.0 strategy. John is also a board member for the Orphaned Starfish Foundation, a member of the Defenders Circle at Thorn, and leads the CWT Responsible Business program in the Americas.
John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St John’s University in Minnesota.
Derek Sharp is Chief Traveler Experience Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He joined CWT in 2018 as Managing Director CWT Meetings & Events, before becoming Chief Operating Officer for RoomIt, CWT’s global hotel platform.
Prior to joining CWT, he spent eight years at Travelport in various senior leadership positions. In addition, Derek has worked with HP Enterprise Services, EDS, UPS and Bain & Company. Derek holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a BA in Political Science from Texas A&M University.
Laura is Chief Human resources Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership team. She is a former Chief Human Resources & Risk Officer with Cambria, Chief Human Resources Officer at Johnson Brothers Liquor Company, Director of HR at Philips Electronics, SVP - Global Talent & Rewards at CWT, and VP Talent and Culture at Aimia. She holds a Master’s in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in French from Washington and Lee University.
Nick Vournakis is Chief Customer Officer, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He joined CWT in 2000, and has held numerous leadership roles including Managing Director, Global Customer Development, and President, US Military & Government, as well as having responsibility for North American Air Solutions and managing our Canadian operations.
Nick spent four years with EY Global Consulting services having been awarded a BA in Economics at Miami University.
