Flight Centre Travel Group Americas DEI Manager Emese Graham  Honored with ‘DEI Leadership Award’ at 2023 GBTA WINiT Awards Gala

GBTA WINiT, a global network designed to support the advancement of women in travel-related businesses, last night hosted its annual GBTA WINiT Awards Gala to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of women leaders throughout the industry. The list of winners included Flight Centre Travel Group Americas DEI Manager Emese Graham, who was the recipient of the prestigious ‘DEI Leadership Award.’

The award celebrates a female leader who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business travel community. It was one of 12 individual and group awards that were presented last night at the ceremony, which took place at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, NY.

“Emese is an exceptional leader, a fierce advocate, and a true champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace,” said Charlene Leiss, Flight Centre Travel Group Americas President. “I am so excited to see her receive this incredible honor and special recognition, which is a testament to the trailblazing work that she continues to do towards advancing our DEI efforts and creating meaningful, long-lasting change in the business travel space.”

In her role, Graham is responsible for developing equity initiatives across the Americas for the company’s corporate and leisure brands. She provides strategic direction around employee training and development programs, while advising the business on affirmative action regulations, non-discrimination policies and more.

Since being appointed to her role in 2022, after first joining the company in 2018, Graham continues to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities related to DEI in the industry. Through various equity-oriented events and inclusive workshops, she gives employees the tools to be able to have transformative conversations about race, colonialism, disability, and gender.

"I am proud and grateful to be the recipient of the DEI Leadership Award from GBTA WINiT, and even more so to be part of an industry that openly values and celebrates equity,” said Graham. “My hope is that the world of travel continues to hold itself accountable to this value and that it listens to and collaborates with equity-deserving voices.”

As part of the GBTA Foundation, WINiT is an organization and network of industry leaders that are focused on delivering career development services, educational programs, and resources to women in travel. For more information on GBTA WINiT and this year’s awards recipients, please visit here.