AmaWaterways Appoints Catherine Powell as President
AmaWaterways has announced a significant evolution in its executive leadership with the appointment of Catherine Powell as the new President, now joining co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst.
This strategic decision marks an important step in the company’s growth as it continues to strengthen its position in the luxury cruise market through innovation and service excellence.
Catherine Powell brings a distinguished career in the entertainment, hospitality, and travel industries, with over 15 years of experience at The Walt Disney Company. During her tenure, she led strategic transformation initiatives, achieving double-digit growth while identifying new revenue opportunities and optimizing costs. More recently, she served as Global Head of Hosting at Airbnb, overseeing the management and development of a global network of over five million hosts.
Catherine Powell
With her strong track record in leading complex operations and her forward-thinking vision, Powell is recognized as a key figure in shaping sustainable growth strategies. According to AmaWaterways, her appointment represents an opportunity to further reinforce its leadership in the luxury river cruise sector, ensuring continuity in the company’s core values while introducing fresh perspectives for future development.
Catherine Powell expressed her enthusiasm and honor in joining AmaWaterways as President. She emphasized that the company’s commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences, driving innovation, and supporting sustainability is perfectly aligned with her values and vision for the future of travel. With a strong background in entertainment and hospitality, Powell highlighted her dedication to bringing her passion for creating unforgettable moments into the world of luxury river cruising. She also stated that she looks forward to working with AmaWaterways’ talented team to enhance the company’s legacy and develop new strategies for growth and excellence in the industry.
AmaWaterways ship
In her new role, Powell will report directly to Rudi Schreiner, co-founder and CEO, ensuring a synergistic and strategic approach in leading the company. The decision to expand the executive team was described as a carefully planned move to guarantee long-term stability and the continuous enhancement of the guest experience. Rudi Schreiner expressed his enthusiasm for Catherine Powell’s appointment, emphasizing that her vision perfectly aligns with AmaWaterways’ philosophy, which is centered on guest experience excellence and innovation. He highlighted that Powell’s leadership will be a key driver in achieving new milestones for the company. Additionally, he reaffirmed his confidence in her expertise and ability to identify new opportunities in the luxury river cruise sector, while ensuring the continuity of AmaWaterways’ core values.
AmaWaterways Lifestyle
AmaWaterways Lifestyle
At the same time, Kristin Karst will take on the role of Chief Brand Ambassador, responsible for enhancing the brand’s global visibility and strengthening relationships with key travel industry partners. Karst stated that her new role will allow her to further contribute to AmaWaterways’ growth, maintaining close collaboration with trusted partners and reinforcing the company’s brand identity.
The appointment of Catherine Powell as President marks a pivotal moment for AmaWaterways, as the company enters a new phase of expansion and strengthening its leadership in the luxury river cruise market. With her expertise, Powell is set to play a key role in implementing innovative strategies and enhancing the guest experience, in line with the company’s commitment to excellence and sustainability.
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