Melissa S. Maher is the founder and CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises Group, an executive coaching and consulting firm that works with senior executives and leader ship teams, organizational leaders, and executives to strengthen their personal and professional performance. She has a passionate belief in people that inspires growth, development, and success. Clients appreciate her honesty, forward-thinking approach, deep insights, and guidance in achieving, and often surpassing professional goals.
Melissa is distinguished as a trusted advisor drawing on her experience and foundational understanding of global marketing, public relations, industry engagement, diversity, and inclusion. She has been recognized by executive leadership and colleagues for establishing policies, executing strategies, devising branding and operational solutions, and achieving measurable success within the business community.
Most recently, Melissa served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Industry Engagement at Expedia Group, where she excelled in driving the company's mission to power global travel for everyone. At Expedia, Melissa was focused on partner loyalty, owner relations, and industry engagement. Earlier, Melissa was tapped to serve as Expedia Group's first Chief Inclusion Officer, where she cultivated a culture of diversity and a sense of belonging across the organization. She was Senior Vice President of the Global Partner Group at Expedia and led the charge to create strategic roadmaps and lead commercial teams in achieving growth for the organization.
Melissa regularly participates in hospitality industry events and initiatives. She is an Advisory Board Member for Women in Travel Thrive. This movement advances women's equality in travel industry careers and empowers women to succeed. She was recently hand-picked by executive leadership at Thayer Ventures and StayBoutique to serve as a Strategic Advisor. Melissa is also a Managing Director with Horwath HTL, the global Hotel, Tourism, and Leisure Consulting leader.
Melissa received the Top 40 Women in Travel by WINiT accolade awarded to accomplished women who demonstrate strong leadership and vision in the travel industry and for reinventing, leading, and creating momentum in the community and the industry. Hotel Management named her one of the “30 Influential Women in Hospitality” and was recently named one of the 100 Inspirational People in the Travel Industry 2023 by the International Hospitality Institute.
Melissa holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Her professional designations include Life Coach Mastery Certification, Brave Thinking Institute, Sentinel Negotiation Training, Design for Inclusion – Fearless Futures, and PDT Global's Expresso Shot of Inclusion Leadership Training. She will complete her National Association of Certified Directors Directorship Certification in the winter of 2023.
