Intrepid Travel has hired public policy and technology expert Payton Iheme as its first chief impact officer.
The newly created role tasks Iheme with accelerating the company's global sustainability and impact initiatives program as it works toward its 2030 strategy, in which impact will play a central role. The company said it's working toward achieving $1.3 billion in revenues and contributing 1% of that to impact initiatives by 2030.
Iheme will also lead the adventure tour operator's global sustainability and impact initiatives at its nonprofit, the Intrepid Foundation. She will be based in Washington, which Intrepid CEO James Thornton said comes at the right time as the company doubles down on the U.S. market as part of its 2030 strategy.
Iheme has extensive experience in public policy and technology across the public and private sectors. She was most recently the vice president and head of public policy at dating service app Bumble, and before that she held senior policy and advocacy roles at Facebook. She is a former White House senior policy advisor in the Obama administration, where she worked on technology, science and cyber policies. She has also held senior positions in the Senate.
An advocate for creating a better, safer and more equitable world for travelers, Iheme said her passions align with Intrepid's mission to create positive change through the joy of travel and bringing communities together, adding to her decision to join the team.
"I'm honored to join Intrepid at this crucial moment when we're seeing too many companies divesting from [Environmental Social Governance], DEI, and climate and conservation programming, as well as leaders shying away from advocating for the critical issues impacting so many communities around the world," Iheme said. "As part of Intrepid Travel's leadership team, I intend to bring my voice, my vision and my energy to advocate on these issues and more."