Dianna grew up in travel and tourism and built her entire career working in the hospitality industry. She has been a team member at many brand hotels including Omni Hotels, Hilton Brand Hotels, Holiday Inn’s, as well as boutique branded hotels.  Dianna joined Xanterra in 2000 as the Director of Sales and Marketing for eight resorts and in 2014 moved to Windstar Cruises continuing her career with the Xanterra Travel Collection.   Dianna has worked in various roles within the hospitality industry, with a focus on groups, and the sales and marketing side of the business. She enjoys meeting new Travel Advisors and sharing the Windstar Story.  Having spent most of her time on the corporate and operational side of the travel industry it has been a fun transition focusing on the leisure side of the business.  She and her family enjoy traveling extensively throughout the world. 

Dianna.Rom@windstarcruises.com
Phone: 206.229.1214

Gina began her career in the Cruise Industry in 1992 at Princess Tours, a company that was part of Princess Cruises. During college summer breaks, she  worked at Princess Tours as an Escorted Tour Director for their Canadian Rockies and Alaska Cruise Tours where she would travel for up to 2 weeks at a time with a group of passengers on land and cruise ships.  After graduation from the University of Washington, she was promoted to a Product Manager for the Princess Tours Europe Land Tour Product. She left Princess in the early 2000s to pursue a sales career in another industry. In 2013, she was lured back into the cruise industry and was hired as the Manager of Contracting & Bidding for Holland America, Seabourn and Princess Cruises, negotiating contracts with tour operators for their worldwide Shore Excursions Products.  In 2015, she moved into a role in National Account Sales at Holland America before coming on board at Windstar Cruises in 2016 as the Director of Sales, National Accounts. Gina lives in the Seattle area with her husband Jeff and 2 children, Jack & Sofia.  They all love to cruise and travel the world during their school breaks.

Gina.McGinnis@windstarcruises.com
Phone: 206.733.2754

Joe Jiffo, CTC, MCC, has more than 20 years in the cruise industry.  He is an innovative sales leader with the vision and drive to lead an organization to the next level.  After earning his Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Widener University near Philadelphia, Joe started his career with Marriott Hotel and Resorts.  There he worked in all areas of the hotel industry eventually settling in the sales department and found his passion. After seven years there, Joe joined Celebrity Cruises as a District Sales Manager for the Carolinas, and eventually moved to Miami to start the National Accounts department. His career continued with National Account Director positions with Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Joe also held Senior Sales roles at MSC Cruises and NEST, and prior to joining Windstar Cruises, Joe was the VP of Sales for American Queen Voyages.

Joe.Jiffo@windstarcruises.com
954.258.3599

A seasoned travel industry professional, Amy Conover joined luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises in 2011 as the line’s Western Regional Sales Manager following nearly three decades in the cruise business. Just six months later she was appointed the Director of Charter & Incentive Sales which was only fitting considering that during her career she had earned her credentials as a Luxury Cruise Specialist and spent many of her personal vacations on Windstar cruises. Based at the company’s Seattle office, Amy is responsible for developing corporate and incentive business and strengthening relationships with meeting and incentive travel partners nationally and internationally as well as leading a talented charter and incentive team. Before joining Windstar Cruises, Amy was a self-employed travel advisor and entrepreneur who has launched and managed several highly successful and well known cruise agencies. A native Washingtonian, Amy makes her home in the Seattle area.

Amy.Conover@windstarcruises.com
Phone: 206.733.2943

Melissa has been on the Windstar Field Sales Team as an RSM for nearly 7 years. She began her career in the cruise industry at Carnival Cruise Line, where for over 10 years she was an inside sales representative in the Consumer Sales division. She was also an active member of Carnival Corp.’s Care Team. Melissa was also previously employed at a large South Florida based travel and marketing agency, where she worked closely with several cruise lines, resorts, and other tourist destinations. Melissa is currently on the Board of Skål International Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beaches, a travel and hospitality association. 

Territories: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN

Melissa.Nessenson@windstarcruises.com
Phone: 206.832.5821

Meg joined Windstar Cruises in 2022, based in the Northeast, bringing 20+ years’ experience within the cruising industry. Her career ranges from working with contemporary cruise line, to ultra-luxury and small ship expedition cruising. Meg has won numerous industry sales awards along the way from salesperson of the year to regional star and team player awards. Meg is a sphere of influence within the travel advisor community and sharing her best practices on small ship luxury and adventure cruising. An energetic team player who’s passionate at developing key accounts and boosting luxury cruising brand awareness. She’s proud to be a Midwest Iowa Farmer’s daughter, her family farm has been in business for over 100 years. Meg enjoys family time, volunteer work in her community and traveling the world seeking the next adventure on her time-off, plus bicycling, hiking, sharing photography from her travels. Meg’s thrilled to be onboard with Windstar Cruises.

Territories:  CT, DC, DE, IL,I N, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV

Meg.Daly@windstarcruises.com
Phone:  201-360-7099

A born and bred “Aussie,” Ward started his travel career at Flight Center in Melbourne, Australia. Relishing the role of travel advisor, he later took a position with APT Luxury Travel/AMA Waterways and Captains Choice and relocated to Los Angeles to become the North America Sales Manager. In 2011, he joined Qantas Vacations – North America and became the dedicated Director of Sales for selected consortia groups.
 
Ward moved to Austin for his lovely wife, Bridgette, a native from Louisiana who's visited Australia many times and can actually understand his accent. They've lived in Austin since 2010, enjoying life with their 2 awesome sons. Ward likes a swim, trail run and a pickup soccer game in his down time. He also plays a lot of Pokémon with his kids, sometimes they even let him win!

Territories:  CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, OK, TX, ND, SD, NM, WI

Ward.Reid@windstarcruises.com
Phone:  512-855-3907

A lifelong traveler, traveling to over 50 countries and sailing on over 30 cruises, Joe got his start in the travel industry back in 1995 with sales positions at Contiki, Brendan Tours, Mayflower Tours, and CSA Travel Protection before taking a detour into medical sales.  Missing the travel industry, he returned to his first passion and opened up a travel agency with Avoya Travel.  He quickly became a rising star in the first year, earning Best of the Best every year until the pandemic hit.  Having cruised on both the Star Class and Wind Class ships, Joe couldn't be more thrilled to share what makes them extraordinary.  Before coming to Windstar Cruises, Joe was the Head of National Accounts at Venture Ashore.  Joe lives in the San Diego area with his wife, Lori, daughter Hailey, two dogs, and a cat.  Joe loves to travel with family and friends, explore new destinations, and learn about local cultures, traditions, food, and wine.

Territories: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

Joe.Miller@windstarcruises.com
Phone:  760-840-8675

Andrea started her career in Canada in 1992 and comes to us with a wealth of travel experience having worked in varied facets of the industry, including DeNureTours, Fairmont Hotels, Rocky Mountaineer and Sabre. Prior to immigrating to Canada from South Africa, she worked for 9 years with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. In Canada, Andrea has been responsible for securing preferred partnerships with Consortiums and National accounts and working closely with advisors to provide them a better understanding of the product she has represented. She is excited to have joined the Windstar family and is equally excited to share her newly learned knowledge of cruises with our agency partners in Canada.  Her understanding of and passion working with her agency clients, promoting a product she is proud and thrilled to represent, will go a long way in assisting our Canadian advisors in growing their business with Windstar.  Andrea is based in Toronto but is responsible for all of Canada .

Andrea.Mendelsohn@windstarcruises.com
Phone: 416.258.4448

Augustus Lonsdale has been around cruise ships from a young age, starting with his first cruise onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2002, which inspired his passion to work within the travel industry. Almost a decade later he came full circle as he began his career working onboard the Queen Elizabeth, including as part of the crew for a full World Cruise, whilst completing his degree in International Hospitality Management.  He returned to shore at the UK office of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and for the past 7 years he has been representing luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways.  Gus is passionate about supporting the travel agent community and is excited to inspire travel agents and their clients to become members of the Windstar family.

Augustus.Lonsdale@WindstarCruises.com
Phone:  0759 313 7135
 

Robert’s career in the travel industry begin in 1999 when he began working for Aviation Ground Handling looking after the check-in and load control for Sunstate Airlines in Rockhampton.  His experience and dedication to the industry landed him a contract role at Brisbane domestic airport with Sunstate Airlines in the Customer Service team thereafter, before gaining more experience in the retail space working for Flight Centre, Snowcene and finally at Oz Snow Adventures.  Robert’s passion for cruising began in 2012, when he was afforded the roles of Business Development Manager and National Key Accounts Manager for Royal Caribbean International looking after Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises.  Robert has recently joined Windstar Cruises as the Australian Business Development Manager and is looking forward to building on his established relationships with the Australian trade partners. 

RobertS@windstar.com.au
Phone:  +61411821192

Laura is an absolute superstar in the incentive market, known for her creative approach and strategic thinking. With over a decade of experience under her belt, she's worked with various organizations to craft unforgettable Charter and Incentive travel experiences. Laura's passion lies in connecting people with destinations and programs that create lasting memories. Get ready for her to introduce innovative ideas that will help us to grow the Charter and Incentive Channel.

Steve began his cruise career back in 1996 aboard a Holland America Line vessel cruising Alaska from his home in Vancouver, from there, over 20-years in the travel industry has allowed him the privilege of visiting over 90+ Countries on 6 Continents.  Steve worked onboard Windstar’s sailing yachts for several years giving him an intimate knowledge of the vessels and the out of the way ports Windstar visits.  After a few years of European River Cruising with Tauck Tours Steve returned to Holland America Line in a shore side management role before returning back to his home at Windstar.  Steve lives in Seattle with his wife, loves to travel, and enjoys photography and spending time at their cabin with their 3 English Bulldogs.

Steve.Furlong@windstarcruises.com
Phone:  206.733.2947

With a deep understanding of our offerings and a relationship-driven approach, Nico has been instrumental in creating incredible vacation experiences for our clients. His genuine enthusiasm for travel is infectious, and he's ready to use his expertise to forge new partnerships and expand our reach in the trade market. He will be focusing on the New to Windstar Advisors, advisor training, pre- and post-show follow-up and supporting our trade channel.

Stacie began her travel career at Princess Cruises working in Reservations, Groups, Special Accounts, and as a Hotel Inventory Analyst.
  
After 10 years with Holland America Princess,  she spent three years in Japan teaching English conversation. Stacie was born in Japan, and she felt like it was returning home.   After moving back to the States,  Stacie continued her love of travel & joined Windstar in May of 2021.   Her career path at Windstar has quicky moved from Reservation Agent to Reservations Lead, and currently Sales Coordinator.

When Stacie isn't dreaming of (or planning for) her next travel destination, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with long walks or putting her green thumb to use with her extensive collection of house plants. Stacie also has a passion for photography, music, and her dog Jake.

Stacie.Clark@windstarcruises.com
 

Sara is bringing her extensive knowledge of operational logistics and group management to the Windstar family. Her attention to detail and organizational prowess ensures a smooth experience for our charter team and their clients. She will be working with the charter team and the sales operation team to allow us to be as efficient as we possibly can as the business continues to grow.