Kelly Craighead
Former President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association | Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce | Former Deputy Assistant to the President
Kelly Craighead partners with organizations navigating complex challenges in tourism, international policies, and corporate governance. With over 30 years leading billion-dollar initiatives across government and industry, she adds unparalleled expertise in executive advisory.
Work With Vertimas
Proven Leadership at Scale
Led CLIA's global operations across five continents with 100+ member organizations, managing advocacy, communications, research, and member services that generated measurable impact for a multi-billion dollar industry.
Government & Private Sector Fluency
Unique perspective bridging public policy and business strategy, with senior roles in two presidential administrations and executive leadership in international trade associations.
Global Network & Diplomatic Expertise
Three decades building relationships across 100+ nations with government officials, business leaders, media, and civil society. Deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and international business protocols.
Crisis Management Excellence
Guided the global cruise industry through its most challenging period, working with international health agencies, governments, and industry stakeholders to develop science-based protocols that enabled safe recovery.
Strategic Communication Skills
Extensive media experience and sophisticated understanding of messaging for diverse audiences, from government officials to international press to industry stakeholders.
Meet Kelly
Kelly Craighead
Founder
Kelly Craighead is a seasoned CEO with over 20 years of leadership experience spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Most recently, Kelly served as President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), where she was responsible for setting and executing the association’s strategic vision and representing the industry’s voice with international regulators and national lawmakers in capitals across the world including on Capitol Hill, with the Administration and across the country. As CEO, she revamped the association, leading to record membership, increased non-dues revenue, and sharply increased the focus on advocacy ensuring greater industry alignment and engagement which guided the industry through an unprecedented industry shutdown during COVID-19 to unparalleled industry growth.
During her six-year tenure with CLIA, Kelly directed a globally dispersed team of 100+ with a $45M annual budget and led comprehensive private sector and policy solutions to achieve net-zero cruising by 2050, and to promote the industry’s license to operate in key ports and destinations. Against measurable goals, she collaborated with elected officials, NGOs, and a broad array of stakeholders to drive the industry’s commitments. Kelly also served as Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF), leading philanthropic initiatives in civic development, education, public health, and environmental preservation.
Prior to joining CLIA, Kelly worked at the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism. In this capacity, she led a $250B public-private initiative to attract one hundred million visitors annually to the U.S. by 2030. She also spearheaded landmark U.S.-China tourism cooperation, extending visa validity from one to ten years resulting in a 53% surge in applications, and initiated bilateral tourism dialogue with India to strengthen market access and sector ties.
Kelly began her career in Washington, D.C., at The White House where she directed major domestic and international initiatives. She has also served as the Managing Director of the Democracy Alliance, and as a strategic consultant to established and start-up organizations advising on strategic planning, executive coaching, and stakeholder engagement.
Kelly has also served as a U.S. Commissioner to UNESCO, as a board member of Visit Florida, and participated as a member of the American Society of Association Executives, and the World Economic Forum.
In addition to her current work advising international organizations, Kelly operates her own consulting practice advising clients on issues related to energy, transportation, taxation, travel facilitation, hospitality, and not-for-profit governance.