Sarah Derry takes the helm at Homeward Bound to empower women in STEMM
Sarah Derry, previously the CEO of Accor Hotels for the Pacific region, is celebrated for her exceptional leadership
Renowned industry leader Sarah Derry has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Homeward Bound, a global not-for-profit initiative committed to empowering women with backgrounds in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) to lead with impact and influence for a sustainable future.
Derry, previously the CEO of Accor Hotels for the Pacific region, is celebrated for her exceptional leadership within the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Her new role at Homeward Bound aligns with her passion for fostering leadership opportunities for women, particularly in the STEMM field.
The latest edition of AccomNews is out now. Read it HERE
“I believe in people-focused leadership and building connections, which is why I look forward to leading Homeward Bound as we continue to encourage more women with STEMM backgrounds to join our initiative and elevate their potential.
“Together, we will embrace the exciting opportunities and challenges ahead as we contribute to making a more sustainable world,” Derry said, following her appointment.
Founded in 2016, Homeward Bound is committed to driving impactful change through its programs, which include online leadership courses and leadership expeditions to inspiring locations like Antarctica. The organisation’s alumnae are key players in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, biodiversity loss, and health crises.
Jodi Schmidt, Chair of the Homeward Bound Board, welcomed Derry to the team, stating, “We are thrilled to have Sarah Derry on board. Her extensive global leadership experience and passion for meaningful change align perfectly with the next phase of Homeward Bound’s strategic vision. We also thank Olivia Giudice, our interim CEO, for her contributions and wish her the best in her future endeavours.”
Derry’s appointment signals Homeward Bound’s commitment to its mission of equipping women in STEMM to lead with influence. The organisation has set a bold goal to reach 10,000 women by 2036.
Read our interview with Sarah Derry in 2022 HERE
About Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is a global transformational leadership initiative dedicated to supporting women in STEMM to lead with impact and create a sustainable future. Since 2016, it has built a community of leaders across 55 countries and inspired hundreds of women through its programs, including six leadership expeditions to Antarctica.
Mandy has over two decades of experience in accommodation and tourism industry writing, and she is also an accomplished editor and publisher. As co-Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd, a trusted B2B content provider for the accommodation and education sectors in Australia and New Zealand, she oversees high-quality print and digital content across notable publications, including AccomNews, Resort News, and School News, along with the property listing platform AccomProperties. Mandy’s contributions have been recognised with the Female Leader Award at the Best of Tourism 2023 and the ARAMA Life Member Award in 2024.