2025 Judging Panel
The following judges select the honorees based on their experience, knowledge and invaluable insight to determine who provided the best leadership, improved visitor experiences, developed innovative programs and more within our industry. The 2025 Women In Tourism Honorees will be celebrated at a luncheon on May 20th, 2024 at City Winery NYC.
- Jennifer Ackerson, President, Alon Tourism Solutions
- Jaclyn Bernstein, President and Partner, Empire Force Events
- Anna Karnowski, Experienced Tourism & Hospitality Professional
- Carly McCloskey, Director of Marketing and Communications, St. Ann’s Warehouse
- Luisa Mendoza, Founder and CEO of GTSE, Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment and MyTicketPro
- Andrea Roman, Director of Sales, The Fireman Hospitality Group
- Nastassia Welter, VP of Sales, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Cristyne Nicholas, CEO, Nicholas & Lence Communications
- Polina Roze, Concierge, JW Marriott Essex House
- Ann Peterson, General Manager, The New Yorker Hotel
Jennifer Ackerson, President, Alon Tourism Solutions
Jennifer Ackerson is a NY certified women-owned small-business owner. For more than 25 years, Jennifer has demonstrated tireless dedication and passion for improving the relationships between travel industry buyers and sellers. Most notably, Jennifer has become a strong presence in the travel industry through the creation of a first-of-its-kind tourism education program, developing and leading both NYC Tourism + Conventions ‘Tourism Ready’ and the IITA ‘Inbound Insider Steps to Success’ national tourism training programs. She has touched thousands of tourism businesses and her experience in the industry enables her to offer creative solutions and help businesses successfully realize their tourism goals. "Tourism is the best job in the world! You get to have fun, travel the globe learning and exploring everyday, and giving back by serving people along the way.
Jaclyn Bernstein, President and Partner, Empire Force Events
A NYC Event Production, Hospitality & Tourism professional, leader, insider & champion. Owner of NYC’s longest independent & locally owned destination management company, only job worked at from college, then bought the company. Momentous honors: BizBash’s “Top 500 People in Events, Must-Know Events Pros, Most Influential Event Professionals & Influencers;” NYC Tourism + Conventions Board of Director; Lifetime Achievement Award, International Live Events Association (ILEA); 4 Halls of Fame/Legends, Meeting Professionals International NY, BizBash, ILEA NY, Event Solutions; Inaugural Woman of the Year – ILEA NY; Smart Women in Meeting – Visionary Award Winner. During pandemic – Live Events Coalition NY Co-Founder. Grew-up in Brooklyn on welfare, now lifelong respected industry caregiver & icon!
Anna Karnowski, Experienced Tourism & Hospitality Professional
Anna is a dynamic tourism leader with two decades of dedication to NYC attractions. In her previous role as the Regional Director of New York at Go City, she managed attraction partnerships citywide, merging her passion for tourism with top sights. Anna played integral roles in launching Top of the Rock and SPYSCAPE, and has held senior positions at One World Observatory and New York Water Taxi. Beyond her professional endeavors, she advocates tirelessly for NYC tourism. With an endless desire to explore, Anna is always eager to share her love for the city with anyone who will listen within her social networks. "Some of us were born here and some of us grew here. Regardless of your origin story, thank you to all the unnamed women supporting our industry.”
Carly McCloskey, Director of Marketing and Communications, St. Ann’s Warehouse
Carly McCloskey has 18 years of sales and marketing experience promoting major arts organizations in New York City and is currently operating as director of marketing and communications for St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn. During her 10-year tenure at MoMA, she has worked on projects ranging from a blockbuster Matisse exhibition to the major museum expansion that opened in 2019. Prior to MoMA, she has worked in sales and marketing for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway.com, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. In her spare time, she volunteers with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Korean K-9 Rescue and can usually be found at one of New York City's many concert venues.
Luisa Mendoza, Founder and CEO of GTSE, Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment and MyTicketPro
Luisa is a trailblazer with over two decades of experience in global business development and marketing within the tourism and sports industries. As the official Sports and Tourism Ambassador for the U.S. Travel Association and IPW, Luisa fervently champions U.S. sports on a worldwide stage. Her innovative strategies have earned her prestigious accolades like the Microsoft Legacy Project's Award, recognizing Luisa as one of the most influential, groundbreaking Hispanic Changemakers of our time. Her transformative journey from immigrant to successful entrepreneur not only impacts the US economy but also ignites hope and motivation to aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders globally.
Andrea Roman, Director of Sales, The Fireman Hospitality Group
Andrea Roman brings vast experience of creating, selling, marketing and managing all aspects of events and partnerships in the world of restaurants. She started her career 30 years ago working for some of the mavericks in the restaurant world. She began at the once famous Sign of the Dove, then moved onto The Fireman Hospitality Group in 1995. She went on to The Palm Restaurant Group, Planet Hollywood International and returned to The Fireman Hospitality Group in 2012. Her philosophy is a restaurant is not only about the guest experience but also the role and responsibility it has to the community, She is proud and grateful her experiences let her to be a part of the Tourism Community.
Nastassia Welter, VP of Sales, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Nastassia Welter is a passionate, disruptive, and innovative thought leader with 20 years of experience in the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment industry, who has worked globally with the top brands/CEO’s & international organizations such as Disney, Citysightseeing, Leisure Pass and IHG Hotels, leading travel trade partners and clients, in China, Australia, Europe, Canada, USA and Latin America. Nastassia’s humble beginnings are a constant reminder that no matter your background or race, anything is possible if you have the courage to follow your dreams and always be kind.
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO, Nicholas & Lence Communications
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO co-founded Nicholas & Lence Communications with George Lence in 2007, a strategic public relations and government affairs firm known for helping individuals, businesses, not for profits and iconic NYC neighborhoods elevate their profiles. Prior to NLC, Nicholas was best known for rebuilding NYC’s $27 billion dollar tourism industry following the tragic events of September 11th, by launching the City’s first consumer TV advertising campaign, patriotic tourism initiatives and recruiting major events such as The World Economic Forum, The Grammy Awards, RNC 2004, Country Music Awards, and Super Bowl XLVIII. A former Mayoral press secretary and communications director, Cristyne was named 40 under 40 by Crain’s New York Business and Top 100 Women by City & State New York. In 2012, she was appointed Chair of the NYS Tourism Advisory Council and serves as the Chairman of the Broadway Association. She is the co-host of Radio Night Live on AM 970 The Answer. Although Cristyne has many titles, she is most proud to be called Mom by her three amazing teens.
Polina Roze, Concierge, JW Marriott Essex House
Polina is a hotel Concierge with over 30 years of hospitality experience. A graduate of the NYU Journalism School, she started her career at the NY Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square. Realizing her dream was to become an expert in culture, theater, the arts, nightlife, dining and fashion, she feels blessed to follow her calling as an ambassador to our wonderful city. While welcoming visitors she also contributes as a tourism resource for magazines, travel platforms and the media. Representing the JW Marriott Essex House on Central Park South, she proudly wears her Les Clef’s d’Or USA keys and embraces her NYCAHC membership. Polina is captivated by our magical city sharing her love and enthusiasm with her guests.
Ann Peterson, General Manager, The New Yorker Hotel
Prior to joining the New Yorker, Ann spent 25 years with IHG holding leadership positions with prestigious brands such as InterContinental and Crowne Plaza culminating with the position of Regional Vice President of Operations for the East Coast. She also held the position of General Manager at the Omni Shoreham Hotel located in Washington DC, where she directed the hotel’s operating, sales, and marketing efforts. Additionally, she has also served on the Board of Directors for several industry organizations, including the New York Hotel Association, the 34th Street BID, Hospitality High School Washington DC, Destination DC, the Westchester YWCA, was a past President of the White Plains Rotary Club.
2025 Celebration Sponsors
