Team & Leadership

Peter Dodge is senior director, public affairs for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with a mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy, and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Peter functions as a liaison with all levels of government and manages outreach efforts with key stakeholders to promote and advance Brand USA’s mission, raise visibility worldwide for the organization, and build community engagement. Peter first joined Brand USA in April 2017 as senior coordinator, public policy and public affairs.

Prior to working at Brand USA, Peter served as a legislative assistant to a Member of Congress from South Carolina, advising him on a host of policy issues, including those related to travel and tourism.

In his free time, Peter serves as the president of the South Carolina State Society in Washington, DC and is an active member of the General Society of Colonial Wars.

The son of a retired Air Force officer, he has lived in three countries – Germany, England, and the United States. While he calls the Lowcountry of South Carolina “home,” he has also resided in Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Florida – as well as Washington, DC.

Peter received his bachelor’s degree in American politics and rhetoric at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and his J.D. at the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida.

Since joining Brand USA in 2016, Skylar has advanced through multiple roles within the partner marketing team, gaining deep expertise in campaign planning, partner engagement, and strategic program development. In her current position, she leads the strategy and implementation of customized marketing programs that support Brand USA’s global objectives while delivering measurable value to U.S. partners, including destinations, attractions, and travel brands across the country.

Skylar’s industry leadership was further recognized when she was joined Destinations International’s “30 Under 30” class of 2022, highlighting her innovation, impact and promise as a rising leader in travel and tourism.

Beyond her strategic responsibilities at Brand USA, Skylar is a Maryland native with a lifelong love of travel, visiting five of the seven major continents. In her free time, she enjoys learning new gardening skills and exploring the Washington, D.C. area as a local tourist.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations from the University of Maryland, College Park. Go Terps!

Chris Ellis is Senior Director, Partner Engagement for Brand USA. In this role, he serves as a lead for the organization’s Industry Engagement Strategy team, where he represents hundreds of partners by supporting overarching goals and bringing value to the travel trade. Chris is also part of the Partner Marketing team overseeing the development, relations, communication, and marketplace touchpoints for all Brand USA partners.

Chris initially came to the US in the early 90s to continue his role as Operations Manager for Cosmos Holidays and Globus Gateway Tours. He also worked as the Area Manager for Unijet Holidays. After various mergers in the tour operator industry, he decided to try the attractions side of travel. For seven years, he handled the international markets for Universal Orlando. During his three years at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, he was responsible for developing global, cruise and events markets. On the marketing side, Chris was the Travel Industry Sales Senior Manager for Visit Orlando, where he secured cooperative advertising with international tour operators to promote Orlando as a destination and maintained working relationships with wholesalers, airlines, and industry governmental associations.

Before rejoining Brand USA, Chris was the Regional Partnership Manager for Visit Florida in the Central East Florida region. He built, nurtured, strategized, and maintained relationships with current and prospective partners for the state of Florida.

Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Chris studied English and Geography at Exmouth College in the UK. Chris now resides in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Lorraine, and daughter, Madison, a soon-to-be graduate of Florida Atlantic University.

Kathrin Kush is senior controller for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. Kathrin oversees the accounting team and processing activities, is responsible for general ledger accuracy, and manages the annual audit process and tax return.

Kathrin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the AICPA. She studied at the University of Central Florida, earning a BS in Accounting and Finance and a Masters in Accounting. Kathrin started her career in public accounting as a non-profit auditor at CliftonLarsonAllen and, from there, she moved on to work for the Artisphere (Arlington County, VA) prior to being hired by Brand USA. She is excited to be back at Brand USA after a three-year break which allowed her to concentrate on family while working part time with a few fantastic tech startup companies. A wife and mother who loves to cook, knit, and play video games, Kathrin is also a traveler who has visited over 22 U.S. states and Washington, DC.

Cat Reith is senior director, partner programs & operations for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy, and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Cat oversees the Partner Marketing Programs team, ensuring that cooperative-marketing efforts continue to provide valuable marketing support for our partners.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Cat was director, project management at GutCheck, a market research firm, where she oversaw the completion of dozens of projects each month. She also spent ten years at Phocuswright, a global travel market research company, where she oversaw custom and special projects, including projects for Brand USA. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications and her master’s degree in Tourism and Travel Management from New York University. She completed her Project Management Professional Certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2020.

Cat loves to ski, is a self-proclaimed photography nerd, and is always planning her next trip. She is a first-generation American originally from New York City and has ventured to 30 countries and 31 states so far. Her favorite travel memory is being awestruck during a trip to Niagara Falls as a child and her favorite travel destination is Snowmass, Colorado for its world-class slopes, charming downtown and stunning mountain views.

Lisa Tejeda is Senior Director, Global Trade Development (LATAM) for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide.

In this role, Lisa cultivates and maintains relationships with international Brand USA representation firms and partners in Latin America, seeks new trade opportunities, manages day-to-day operations including market activation, co-op marketing, and budget overview.

Lisa joins Brand USA with more than 17 years of experience in the tourism industry, working as a tourism consultant and a sales professional for Hospitality brands like AccorHotels Group, Hilton Hotels and Resorts and Meliá Hotels. Most recently, Lisa served as Senior Director of Tourism Development-LATAM at NYC & Company. She received her bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, with a focus on sales and marketing, from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.

Lisa loves to travel. She is originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, but currently resides in New Jersey, USA. It’s impossible for her to pick a favorite travel destination since Lisa has ventured to 70 countries and 21 states and feels magic at every place she goes. Her favorite travel memory is taking her mother along for a tour of the west coast of the USA.

George Bansah serves as the Director of Budget and Forecast Liaison at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In his role, George oversees the organization’s budget and forecast procedures.

George joined Brand USA in April 2015. In 2018, he was recognized as a Destinations International 30 under 30 honoree.

George received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Delaware State University and then earned his MBA from Liberty University.

In addition to his professional pursuits, George is actively involved in his community. He has created a charity foundation to help deprived villages and communities in Ghana.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time watching sports, particularly Premier League soccer, college football, and NFL games.

Amanda Davis is Director, Global Trade Development (UK & Europe) for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization. In this role, Amanda is the primary liaison for Brand USA and its partners, prospects, and international representation firms in the U.K., Europe and India. She manages the day-to-day trade operations for these markets, including in-market activations and co-op marketing.

Amanda joined Brand USA in June 2016 as the coordinator for the global trade team and later became senior coordinator. During this time, she supported the USA Discovery Program, MegaFams, and tradeshows.

Before joining Brand USA, Amanda was the development and membership administrative assistant at the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. Earlier, she was an English teaching assistant and instructor in Le Mans, France, and Washington, D.C.

Amanda graduated from Miami University with a bachelor of arts in international studies and French.

Luke Hennig is director, partner operations for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. In this role, Luke works with partners and rep agencies to collect and value all in-kind contributions for the Marketing team. He also liaises with the Department of Commerce and mitigates compliance issues to ensure submissions of in-kind contributions receive full Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) funds matching. Last but not least, Luke heads up partner tracking initiatives for Brand USA’s Partner Services and Partner Engagement teams.

Luke joined the Brand USA team in March 2014 as Coordinator, In-Kind Contributions. In this role, Luke helped Brand USA reach its goal of raising $70 million in in-kind contributions for both FY14 and FY15 by creating efficiencies in document submission processes to shorten the path in unlocking matching funds. Along the way, he has developed fruitful relationships with worldwide media companies, rep agencies, DMOs and other trusted partners. Prior to joining Brand USA, Luke was an Advertising Coordinator at The Washington Post, where he helped launch startup businesses as a member of the New Ventures team. Luke earned his Masters in International Affairs at U.C. San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelors degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Having grown up in Minnesota, Luke enjoys participating in Project Time Off by vacationing in the north woods of his home state, canoeing and fishing in the pristine lakes, miles away from his iPhone and laptop! When he’s not taking in Mother Nature, Luke can be found in front of a microphone, either performing improv comedy, hosting pub trivia, or performing music (guitar/vocal) at friends’ weddings.

Mimi Jung is the Director, Branding & Design for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Mimi manages the creation and execution of the strategic direction for corporate branding, trade and consumer campaigns, proprietary platforms and in-market initiatives. Responsible for creative design, Mimi focuses on enhancing the marketing communications strategies and programs related to Brand USA’s business-to-business initiatives, leading with a branding refresh across all brands and proprietary marks.

Prior to joining Brand USA in August 2021, Mimi has been immersed in branding and design for the travel industry as she spent collective eight years working with U.S. Travel Association as their first in-house graphic designer and brand manager. Under her creative leadership, Mimi was instrumental in establishing standardized brand guidelines and refining the comprehensive visual brand strategy for U.S. Travel Association’s overall communications campaigns as well as their annual signature events such as ESTO, the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations, and IPW, America’s leading inbound travel trade show. Mimi’s experience has also focused on corporate branding across global offices with proven experience in conceptualizing and executing omni-channel marketing campaigns with in-house creative and marketing teams at the headquarters for Gartner (formerly CEB). As a senior designer and creative leader who thrives in pushing creative potential, Mimi’s creative ethos is firmly based on the wisdom of IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Jr. who stated, “Good design is good business.”

Mimi is fluent in Korean, plays piano and enjoys cooking and dining, live music and concerts, cultural and arts festivals, and any outdoor activity where she can bring her son and daughter along.

Mimi received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communications from The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. As a true urbanite, Mimi has lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and claims Washington, D.C. as her hometown. Being rooted in travel and tourism, Mimi has visited as far as South Korea, South Africa, and several major cities throughout Europe with many more destinations to explore on her wish list.

Aila Lambznak is the director of salesforce operations for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Aila is responsible for Salesforce administration and support for the Brand USA team.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Aila functioned as an administrator and declarative developer responsible for initiating a Salesforce instance for a public highway authority in Colorado. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Science from Colorado State University.

Aila is originally from Oak Creek, Colorado, and has ventured to 29 states and 31 countries. Her favorite travel memory is paddleboarding among bioluminescence algae followed by a winter solstice bonfire on the beach in Mexico. She recommends Istanbul as her favorite travel destination.

Tina Nguyen is the Director, Project Management for Brand USA, the nation’s public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. In this role, Tina plans, executes, and finalizes projects across the organization and oversees the rollout and process of project management systems.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Tina was the AVP, Operations for Enterprise Business Operations and Brand Marketing and Customer Experience for DMI (Digital Management, LLC), where she was responsible for project management teams, post M&A platform and workflow transitions, and cost management.

She attended the University of Miami and earned her Bachelor’s in Communications, double majoring in Advertising and Theatre Arts.

Jonas Onkelinx is the Director, Research & Insights at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In his role, Jonas provides data and research insights to empower the team to make data-informed decisions, ultimately driving the organization’s strategic initiatives forward.

With 20 years of research experience spanning macroeconomics, pharmaceuticals, and insurance sectors, Jonas brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Before joining Brand USA, Jonas worked for Experience Kissimmee, Florida.

Jonas holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from KHLim and a master’s from KULeuven in Belgium.

Committed to giving back to his community, Jonas served on the Board of Directors of the Osceola Chamber’s Hospitality and Tourism Council and has also served on U.S. Travel’s Research Advisory Committee.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Jonas is passionate about soccer as a player and a fan of RSC Anderlecht and the Belgian Red Devils. He enjoys immersing himself in different cultures through travel and is fluent in Dutch, English, French, and German.

Kat Pommer serves as the Director, Technology at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In her role, Kat is responsible for spearheading the IT strategy, including planning, budgeting, and tactical execution to ensure the seamless functioning of technology operations. She oversees both in-office and virtual technology operations and coordinates all technical requirements for Brand USA’s various events.

Prior to rejoining Brand USA, Kat gained valuable experience in the technology industry, where she served as a UI designer and technology manager. Kat previously served as the coordinator of corporate communications at Brand USA from 2017 through 2020.

Outside of her professional career, Kat enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing with her dog Wilson.

Carolyn Qualls is Director, Partner Marketing Operations for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Carolyn is responsible for supporting the design and implementation of cooperative marketing programs and processes with partners and clients.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Carolyn developed and executed corporate partnerships, promotions, and licensing programs for CEC Entertainment (Chuck E. Cheese parent company). She also worked as an account manager and digital strategy manager for Six Flags Entertainment. She has volunteered her time for the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA and Texas PTA.

Carolyn loves spending time with family and friends, fishing, and rooting on the Texas Rangers. She is originally from Arlington, Texas, and has ventured to 16 states and five countries. A foodie at heart, Carolyn loves trying out local cuisine wherever she visits. Her favorite travel memory is a family trip to Galveston Island in Texas. She recommends Costa Rica as her favorite travel destination.

Coralis Rivera-Aponte is Director, Social Media for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. Coralis serves as a key liaison with creative partners, supporting the Director of Brand, Susan Zachar, with Brand USA’s social media strategy, campaign management, and partner initiatives.

Coralis joined Brand USA in September 2021. Previously, she served as Digital Marketing Coordinator at Discover Puerto Rico, serving as a bridge between local partners and the digital marketing team and assisting with the launch of the organization’s first-ever social media strategy.

In her travels, Coralis has visited 9 countries and 16 states. She was drawn to Brand USA by the opportunity to amplify the diverse stories of the USA, and the power of connecting people and cultures through travel.

Blanca Romero is Director of Office & Facilities Management for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States in order to fuel the nation’s economy and enhance the image of the USA worldwide. Blanca has more than 25 years of experience in the operations and hospitality industry. She joined Brand USA as the organization’s receptionist in December 2011. She was promoted to her current position in September 2012.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Blanca was clerk supervisor at the Earle Palmer Brown advertising agency from 1981 to 2002, where she was responsible for new employee training and the shipping and receiving department, as well as arranging company presentations, in-house client meetings, and agency events. Blanca remained with the agency when it was acquired by Arnold Worldwide in 2002, at which time she was named director of hospitality and executive assistant to the chief creative officer, a position she held until 2011 after which she joined the team at Brand USA.

Blanca has dedicated much of her life to community service.  She is co-founder and a member of the board of Comunidades Unidas Salvadoreñas (CUS), a non-profit organization that provides relief services for communities following natural disasters; and co-founder and member of the board of Salvadoran Associated of Maryland (SAMD Inc.), an affiliated member of CUS, which provides computers, school supplies, and uniforms to students in El Salvador.  In addition, she is the U.S. Coordinator for scout troop #42 of El Salvador that provides support for young adults with Down syndrome.  In 2001, the International Association of Salvadoran Women (La Asociación Internacional de Mujeres Salvadoreñas / AIMSA) designated her Woman of the Year for her work with women’s cooperatives in rural Salvadoran communities, which included providing job skills training and seed money to female heads of households.  In 2007, AIMSA honored her again as the recipient of the Mayor of Los Angeles Award for consistency in leadership in successful women’s cooperatives.

Originally from Delgado, San Salvador, Blanca speaks English and Spanish and enjoys cooking, music, theater, dancing and reading.  She earned her clerical assistant diploma in 1985 and certificate in event planning in 2007 from Montgomery Community College.  In 2011, after receiving her certificate in caregiving from Hospice Caring Inc., she became the Montgomery County Hospice liaison in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Blanca and her husband, Luis, have three grown children—a son, Luise Filipe Romero, and two daughters, Andrea Veronica Romero and Victoria Isabel Romero.

Maria Santos is Director, Marketing for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. Maria has worked support of the U.S.-based global marketing team responsible for negotiating in-kind media and creating international marketing programs. In her current role, Maria negotiates, contracts, and executes co-operative marketing campaigns focused in Europe and Latin America.

Prior to joining Brand USA in September 2017, Maria was an advertising specialist at Mercantil Commercebank. She also previously worked as a marketing and product development analyst at Sabadell United Bank. She holds a bachelor of business administration from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in integrated marketing and communications from Georgetown University. Maria is Venezuelan American, bilingual, and loves to travel. In the near future, Maria hopes to visit South America and Zion and Yosemite national parks in the United States.

Anastasia Straley Horne serves as the Director, Social at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In her role, Anastasia leads social media strategy across Brand USA’s channels, translating business needs into B2C content that brings U.S. destinations and experiences to global audiences.

Anastasia has spent her entire career at the intersection of content and travel, specializing in social media. She started as an Operational Communication Intern at Southwest Airlines before moving into tourism, where she managed social media accounts for Visit St. Paul, Choose Chicago, and San Francisco Travel.

Most recently before Brand USA, Anastasia spent five years at Delta Air Lines. She originally joined the social media team to oversee strategy for all brand experience and onboard partnership deliverables, then grew her role to lead a team that launched Delta’s international social media presence in key expansion markets, including Mexico, Brazil, and Japan. Before leaving Delta, she oversaw a project that turned strong U.S. audience interest in South Korea into higher load factors to ICN, working closely with the Korea Tourism Office to better position tourism products for a U.S. audience.

Anastasia holds a degree from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Rianna Airitam is the Senior Manager, Partner Operations at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization committed to promoting international visitation to the United States. In her role, Rianna oversees the development and management of all partner-related commitments and contributions.

In 2018, she earned her master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University. Prior to that, she completed her bachelor’s degree in world languages and literatures & international relations, with a minor in cultural anthropology, from Southern Methodist University in 2016.

Outside of her professional career, Rianna is an enthusiastic language learner. She dedicates her free time to mastering new languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, and Norwegian.

In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Rianna values spending quality time with her family on road trips.

Craig Ashby is senior manager, business processes and financial analytics for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy, and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide.

In this role, Craig, who joined Brand USA in July 2019, oversees financial systems analysis and treasury management.  He focuses on improving the department’s capabilities and efficiency while still achieving accounting and audit objectives.

Prior to Joining Brand USA, Craig worked as a grants accounting manager for the Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, a consultant on Dynamics GP and Unanet Systems implementation, and project management, a senior consultant for BroadPoint in Maryland, and an accounting systems manager for Cogent Communication.

Drawn to Brand USA because of its mission and the opportunity to make a difference, Craig is a graduate of the University of Maryland in College Park, MD with a degree in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Dynamics GP certified professional and an SQL server administrator. He is also a member of the MACPA-Md Association of CPAs.

Craig enjoys traveling, having visited 10 states and six countries. His travel bucket list includes Yellowstone Nation Park and Mexico. He is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Scouts and his church.

A self-described history buff, Craig loves most outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, and cycling.  His hobbies include gardening, carpentry, and automobile repair and he is a fan of cricket and soccer.  He lives with his wife, Sabrena, and their three children.

Danielle (Dani) Campana works as a senior manager, partner engagement for Brand USA. She strives to facilitate open communication between the organization and its partners with the goals of ensuring seamless implementation of projects and fostering a positive partner experience.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Dani worked as a Membership Manager at Destination DC. In this role, she gained experience in cultivating dynamic relationships and worked with an array of businesses, including restaurants, attractions, and convention service providers to name a few. She also worked for Visit Howard County, connecting visitors with memorable travel experiences. Dani is proud to bring the knowledge and expertise gained in her past roles to her current role at Brand USA. She has been recognized as a US Travel Emerging Leader, class of 2021.

Andrew Felts serves as the senior manager, media relations & communications at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In his role, Andrew works to amplify U.S. destinations and experiences and the positive impact of international travel.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Andrew led communications and public relations efforts for Visit Mobile, where he implemented holistic campaigns that generated millions of impressions and secured hundreds of stories in top-tier travel publications. In 2022, the Alabama Tourism Department recognized him with the ‘Rising Star’ award for his contributions to the Alabama tourism industry. Andrew is also actively working towards earning his Tourism Marketing Professional (TMP) certification from Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications & Public Relations from the University of Mobile.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Andrew is deeply engaged in his community through various service organizations. He is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Travel & Tourism Section.

Jerod Fuchs serves as the Senior Manager of Partner Marketing at Brand USA, where he collaborates with regional, state, and city partners to craft innovative international marketing campaigns aimed at driving visitation and fostering economic growth. With a decade of experience in destination marketing, Jerod brings a wealth of expertise garnered from working with diverse destinations across the United States, spanning from the Red Woods of California to the white sand beaches of Florida.

Joining Brand USA in April 2023, Jerod was drawn to the organization’s mission of enhancing global perceptions of U.S. destinations and facilitating their integration into the international tourism market. Prior to his tenure at Brand USA, Jerod held positions in various agencies and companies, honing his skills and earning recognition for his contributions to the field.

A 2012 graduate of Baylor University, Jerod is passionate about leveraging his education and experience to make a positive impact in the travel industry. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jerod is an active member of his community, engaging in volunteer work and non-profit initiatives.

Outside of work, Jerod finds joy in playing pick-up basketball, exploring the great outdoors, and cheering on his alma mater, the Baylor Bears. Jerod has lived in eight different states across the U.S. and has visited eight countries, including Germany, Iceland, and Switzerland.

Paul Howard is assistant controller for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. In this position, Paul manages Brand USA’s general ledger and accounts receivable within the operations department.

Paul joined Brand USA in October of 2016.  Prior to that, Paul was a Staff Accountant at Samuels and Son Seafood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 2010 to 2016.  In that role, he assisted in financial and cost accounting.  Paul became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2016 prior to joining the Brand USA team.  He graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Paul is a passionate Eagles fan.  He also enjoys active outdoor adventures like rowing and cycling.  He tries to visit as many states across the United States as he can and credits this patriotic pride as the reasoning for joining Brand USA.  As a new Washingtonian, Paul plans to join The Greater Washington Society of CPAs (GWSCPA) and officially making the District of Columbia his home.

Maya Hua works as a senior manager, partner engagement for Brand USA and serves as a main point of contact for Brand USA’s partners. She strives to cultivate and foster relationships between the organization and its affiliates.

Maya’s previous experiences and involvements have well prepared her to work in partner engagement in the tourism industry for Brand USA. She attended the University of Illinois Champagne Urbana, concentrating in Hospitality Management. Maya has worked for Discover Los Angeles in International Tourism. She has also worked at the famous Mall of America in Minnesota. Maya served on the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council board from 2018-2020. She has also done volunteer work for the American Red Cross of Louisiana.

Chelsea Sullivan Kaiser is a senior manager, partner marketing at Brand USA. She develops and maintains relationships with the organization’s partners and oversees marketing strategy and execution of partnership deliverables.

Before working at Brand USA, Chelsea managed corporate and strategic partnerships for Destination DC, the destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital. Before embarking on a career in the tourism industry, she worked at a high-end bridal salon in Georgetown.

Chelsea graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Chelsea currently resides in Arlington, VA, where she volunteers as a poll worker for the county. Outside of work, you can find Chelsea cooking and developing recipes in her kitchen with a glass of wine in hand (and with The Office playing in the background).

lex Dudich is Manager, Partner Marketing Operations for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Alex is responsible for supporting the implementation of cooperative marketing programs and campaigns with partners and clients.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Alex worked at Beautiful Destinations, an award-winning strategic, creative, and content studio. At Beautiful Destinations, she was on the accounts team, working closely with Brand USA. She also spent time as the advertising manager for the West Virginia Department of Tourism, overseeing brand partnerships and cooperative advertising programs. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism, specializing in Strategic Communications, with a minor in Sports Communications from West Virginia University.

Alex loves traveling, reading, writing, and being with friends and family. Alex is a huge sports fan, especially rooting on her favorite teams in American Football at the collegiate and professional levels. She is originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, and has ventured to 21 states and 8 countries. Her favorite travel memory is navigating Iceland’s Ring Road for a week with her family and recommends either Iceland or the Czech Republic as her favorite travel destinations.

Maggie Eng is a Manager, Revenue & Financial for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Maggie is responsible for supporting the accounting team.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Maggie worked at Raymond James Financial for 11 years. She received an education in Hong Kong and studied Computer Programming and Operations at RETS Technical Training Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

Maggie loves traveling, reading, art, movies, and spending time with her family, friends, and cats. She is originally from Hong Kong and has ventured to nine countries and fourteen states. Two of her favorite travel memories are when she attended the Ice Sculpture Festival in Harbin, China and when she took a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States. She recommends Taiwan as her favorite travel destination.

Savannah is the Manager, Branding & Design for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with a mission of driving economic growth and community prosperity throughout the United States. In this role, Savannah supports the creation of brand-aligned visual content spanning collateral, campaigns, event graphics, presentations, and digital assets for global audiences. Savannah works to ensure Brand USA’s visual identity is applied with consistency and creativity across every platform and touchpoint.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Savannah served as the brand voice at Texas Travel Alliance, the primary advocate for the Texas travel industry, where she shaped consistent branding and storytelling across print, digital, and multimedia platforms. With a passion for travel and visual storytelling, and a career spent branding everything from downtown neighborhoods to statewide travel advocacy efforts, joining Brand USA was a natural next step, giving her the opportunity to tell the story of travel on the grandest stage possible.

As a freelance designer and illustrator, she also published the “I Love Texas Sticker Book” with Workman Publishing, which is a collection of more than 400 original stickers celebrating Texas culture sold at national retailers and bookshops across the country. Her work has been recognized with multiple ADDY Awards through the American Advertising Federation’s Coastal Bend chapter.

Savannah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design at St. Edward’s University.

Desmon Hickson is Manager, Global Trade Development (APAC) for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Desmon is responsible for supporting global marketing with creation of international programs and track, organize, and maintain the compliance of programs’ activities.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Desmon worked as a travel consultant for InsideJapan Tours, producing customized itineraries for travelers to Japan, as well as time spent as a sales engineer for the Japanese manufacturer, Ryoden Corporation. He also runs his own web design business in his free time. Desmon received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Temple University, with a concentration in Computer Engineering and a minor in Japanese.

Desmon loves everything to do with Japan, from speaking and reading Japanese in his free time to devouring tasty ramen. He is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and has ventured to 24 states and four countries. His favorite travel memory was living with his host family in Japan and recommends the island nation as his favorite travel destination.

Laura Jacobson is the Manager, Global Trade Development (UK, Europe & India) at Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting international visitation to the United States. In her role, Laura maintains strong relationships with Brand USA’s international representation firms and trade partners across the UK, Europe, and India. She manages day-to-day operations and supports in-market representatives across all trade initiatives, including co-op trade marketing campaigns, familiarization trips (FAMs), sales missions, and other market-specific programs.

Originally from Lithuania, Laura lived and studied in Denmark, South Korea, and India, and has visited more than 40 countries. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two children. These professional and personal experiences have shaped her well-rounded global perspective.

Laura joined Brand USA from New York City Tourism + Conventions, where she worked on the Tourism Market Development team. There, she developed and managed a range of trade and partner programs and initiatives promoting New York City—its attractions, accommodations, and dining scene—as a premier destination worldwide.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, biking, traveling, and exploring art.

Marsha Jones is the manager, financial operations for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. In addition, Marsha provides direct project and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer and general administrative support to operational teams.

Before joining Brand USA in June 2021, Marsha had multiple years of project management and executive assistant experience, including work with the District of Columbia, KPMG, and, most recently, with OneWeb.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she loves spending time with family and friends, basketball (Los Angeles Lakers), exploring the history of things, and “a mean game of dominoes!” As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Marsha has lived in Germany, and five states in the U.S. Marsha volunteers for the NAACP, Veterans Affairs (VA) and serves as a Community Captain for her residential area.

Loida Liclic is the Staff Accountant ll for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States. In this role, she provides operational data processing and reporting analysis support for the Accounting and Finance team, focusing on Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and General Ledger functions.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Loida worked in Guam for Tutujan Hill Group, Ltd., a construction firm that contracts with local private businesses as well as local and federal government entities.

Loida earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, from the University of the East in Manila, Philippines, in 1983. She became a certified CPA in the Philippines shortly after graduating.

Currently residing in Woodbridge, VA, Loida is known for her dedication to detail in finance and accounting, which she brings to Brand USA.

Jeremy is the Manager, Public Affairs for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with a mission of driving economic growth and community prosperity throughout the United States. In this role, Jeremy acts as a liaison with members of Congress, the Executive Branch, and other key stakeholders to expand awareness of Brand USA’s mission and its vital role in the U.S. economy.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Jeremy served as a Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Dina Titus from Nevada. In that role, he handled a diverse issue portfolio including running the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus and Congressional Gaming Caucus. He previously worked as an Associate at the Klein/Johnson Group, where he provided support for a wide range of corporate, trade association, and non-profit clients.

Jeremy received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University.

Jeremy lives with his wife, Felicia, in Falls Church, VA. In his spare time, he fosters cats and roots for the New York Yankees.

Allie May is Manager, Strategic Partnerships for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Allie is responsible for supporting the implementation of cooperative marketing programs and campaigns with our partners and clients.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Allie worked as a Convention Sales Association at the San Francisco Travel Association and as a tourism and visitor services intern at Destination DC. Allie holds a Master of Tourism Administration in Sustainable Tourism Management and Bachelor of Business Administration degree in hospitality from The George Washington University.

Allie loves to travel and has visited 23 states and 20 counties. One of her favorite travel experiences is when she traveled to PyeongChang, South Korea to volunteer for the International Olympic Committee at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. She enjoys hiking, going to concerts, and cheering on the Washington Spirit.

Hayden Pigott is manager, social content for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States.In this role, she oversees the organization’s social content strategy, including influencer partnerships and the development of a creator-led video content pipeline.

Prior to Brand USA, Hayden was TikTok Platform Manager at Miles Partnership, where she pioneered the company’s first organic social media strategy across major platforms for multiple clients.

Hayden holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, awarded in May 2018. She is an active member of the Junior League of Charlotte, where she currently serves as the Placements Membership Advisory Coordinator and has held roles as a Transfer Advisor and editor of The CRIER, the league’s annual magazine.

Originally from Fort Myers, Florida, Hayden now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she runs a social club with over 900 members, dedicated to helping adults make meaningful connections.

Izuo-Ere “Mimi” Digifa serves as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Chief of Staff at Brand USA, bringing extensive experience in administrative support, event coordination, and project management to help advance the organization’s mission to promote tourism in the United States.

Mimi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Lynchburg and a certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship from Georgetown University. She developed efficient systems to streamline executive operations, coordinated board meetings, and led crisis response initiatives. She brings a wide range of skills, including project management, event coordination, relationship management, strategic planning, social media management, data analysis, travel coordination, and proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office Suite and others. She is also a Certified Scrum Master, adding a strong technical dimension to her work.

Sofia Dunn is senior coordinator, media producer for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Sofia helps to manage the Digital Asset Management system and provides support to GoUSA TV. In addition, she also provides support to the content management team to help with content needs for Brand USA.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Sofia worked as a digital media producer for Northern Virginia Community College. She received her undergraduate degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sofia loves traveling, photography, spending time with family and friends, and introducing her son to new places. She is originally from the Orlando area of Florida and has ventured to five countries and thirteen states. Her favorite travel memory is riding her bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and recommends the California coast as her favorite travel destination.

Sian Pau is AP Coordinator II/Power BI Reporting Specialist for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States.

Throughout his career, Sian has been passionate about helping nonprofits achieve their organizational goals.

In 2019, he graduated from the University of Maryland University College with a B.S. degree in Accounting. He also received an A.A. degree from Montgomery College in 2016. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, and gardening.

Originally from Myanmar, Sian speaks four languages: Burmese, Chin, Shan, and English.

Kate Romero is senior coordinator, social media for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Kate is responsible for supporting Brand USA’s social media presence.

Prior to joining Brand USA, Kate served as the social media marketing and tourism coordinator for TABASCO Brand, where she played an integral role in promoting tourism to TABASCO’s home in Avery Island, Louisiana. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Kate enjoys time spent in her garden, painting or planning her next trip to one of the USA’s National Parks. She is originally from Louisiana and has ventured to 27 states and two countries. Her favorite travel memory is when she and her husband took a road trip from San Francisco to San Diego. She recommends the U.S. Virgin Islands as her favorite travel destination.

James (Tre) Wilson is senior coordinator, sponsorship fulfillment & operations for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. Tre develops and assists in the coordination, execution, and maintenance of all partner related commitments and contributions.

Tre joined Brand USA in January 2022. He was drawn to Brand USA by his love of travel and by a timely e-mail from family about the job opening. Previously, Tre worked at Escapology, an Escape Room franchise business in South Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Carolina.

In his travels, Tre has visited 6 countries and 7 states. His hobbies include playing basketball, bowling, and visiting local breweries with friends.