We Work Together
WiTR+’s global membership continues to grow, supporting career choices and growth for our members, having fun, and raising money for women and children in need.
Members
Countries
Events
Raised For Charity
Who We Are
WiTR was established in 2006 as a networking and support channel for women in Duty Free & Travel Retail globally. Its membership now spans those from new joiners to seasoned executives, from brand assistants to global directors across all channels and product categories. We are not a commercial venture, rather we are run by a group of industry volunteers, and we have a strong charitable ethos.
Women in Travel Retail became WiTR+ in 2022, reflecting social changes and to recognise the support WiTR has received from allies and friends.
WiTR+ has raised and will continue to raise money for projects which will directly benefit women and children.
WiTR+ Steering Committee
Sarah Branquinho
Chair, WiTR+
I started my DF&TR career as the first Commercial Director of TFWA, before moving 10 years later into advocacy, holding key roles in the industry’s campaign to fight the abolition of intra-EU DF&TR sales. I subsequently joined BAA and its retail company World Duty Free, serving the company that is today AVOLTA as Director of External Affairs, and for two years as Dufry’s Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. I continue to serve as External Affairs Advisor to Avolta (formerly Dufry).
Alongside my commercial roles, I have served as Chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum (2009 – 2018), President of the European Travel Retail Confederation (2012 – 2018), President of the Duty Free World Council (2017 – present) and as the World Business Partner observer on the ACI Europe Board.
Outside the industry I am a school governor and take an active interest in the education of women and children in remote villages in India.
Gerry Munday
Vice Chair
Gerry has been regarded as one of the travel retail industry’s most experienced and respected executives in the fashion and accessories sector, former Global Travel Retail Director for Bally, MCM and Furla responsible for successfully launching all 3 brands into Travel Retail, she also served as a TFWA Board Member and after 34 years in the industry Gerry is now semi-retired. Gerry has held the position of Vice Chair for WiTR+ since 2013.
Gina Kothari
Corporate Partnerships
Gina is Global Head of Lagardere & Aer Rianta for Diageo. Her romance with global travel started 2 and half years ago, having transferred back to the UK from Australia. She has held a range of roles in her tenure from commercial, digital, category and strategic partnerships. However, the biggest achievement has been chairing the diversity and inclusion team across Diageo to ensure all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and are truly represented. Her passion for diversity and inclusion stems back to childhood, having grown up in a diverse family. She also is a huge advocate for mentoring and supporting individuals to navigate squiggly careers in companies, networking and ultimately achieving their goals.
Saskia Möller
Membership & Communication
Saskia, LL.M. is Director Legal, Compliance & Sustainability at the family owned Travel Retail company Gebr. Heinemann.
The lawyer joined the Travel Retailer in 2021 and further developed the compliance framework for the company before the role was extended to the field of Sustainability covering inter alia ESG, responsible value chain and diversity, equity & inclusion.
Laure Letailleur
Europe
Laure Letaillieur joined Brown-Forman in 2016 as Trade Marketing Manager, overlooking the French market. In October 2022, Laure was appointed Global Customer Marketing Manager Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail, excellently bringing B-F GTR’s brand strategies to life at the POP and POC to inspire travelers worldwide. Laure is an active member of Brown-Forman France’s employee resource group GROW (Growing Real Opportunities for Women) and joined the WITR+ steering committee in September 2024. Laure resides in Paris, France.
Sinéad El Sibai
Middle East & Africa
Sinéad joined Dubai Duty Free in 2000 after heading up a leading PR agency in Dubai since 1988. She handles Dubai Duty Free’s (DDF’s) extensive marketing campaigns that incorporate major international events, retail marketing, digital marketing, advertising, sponsorship and media liaison.
She has been at the forefront of the operation’s major sponsorship agreements and their activation, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is owned and organized by DDF, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup. She was named Senior Vice President for Marketing in September 2016.
Lois Pasternak
North America
An experienced B2B journalist who has been covering the duty free and travel retail industry since 1993. In 1997 she launched Travel Markets Insider, becoming publisher shortly afterward. TMI has been a key source of information on the industry in the Americas for more than 25 years.
To be appointed
South America & Caribbean
We are currently looking to appoint this role. If you would be interested, please reach out to WiTR+
Erin Lillis
North Asia
A firm believer in female fortitude, networking and empowerment, and is a long standing member of WiTR+ steering committee. Alongside passionately driving Lacoste business, Erin has been a TFWA Board Member since October 2020 and an APTRA Board Member since June 2021. She has also sat on global committees and addressed global forums, tirelessly working for the industry at the same time as battling an aggressive cancer.
Nicole Foo
South Asia
Nicole has around 20 years of multi-faceted experience in retail, advertising, 360 omni marketing and eCommerce. Currently holding the position of Vice President, Airside Concession Division, she leads the Advertising, Marketing & Promotions Team responsible to drive omni / airport-wide sales and marketing initiatives to capture value for the travel retail business, as well as the newly formed Non-Traveler Business Team to grow new revenue.
Myriem Chalabi
Technical Support
With a PhD degree in socioeconomics and expertise in intercultural relations. Myriem acquired through various professional positions, experience in assessing the impact of cultural exception on global businesses and strong skills in international project strategies through personal commitment in the development of not-for-profit international initiatives.
She joined TFWA 15 years ago, as a member of the management team and contributed to the development of TFWA commercial strategies and special projects
Myriem heads the TFWA Exhibitions and Customer Service teams responsible for the organization of TFWA World Exhibition, Asia Pacific in Cannes and Singapore respectively including sales, operations, registration and sponsorship and TFWA i.lab.
Mona Lebrasseur
Technical Support
With over 11 years of experience at TFWA (Tax Free World Association), I have gained a deep understanding of both the commercial and operational aspects of the event management and the Duty-Free and Travel Retail industry.
This dual expertise allows me to effectively lead large-scale premium events and exhibitions, ensuring successful outcomes and fostering valuable connections among industry stakeholders.
Rowena Holland
Press Office
Row is the managing director of leading GTR specialist PR company Essential Communications which she founded 30 years ago and is now part of The Bluedog Group. Row has spent 40 years in the travel retail/duty free industry initially as Assistant Editor on International Tax Free Trader before freelancing for various media including DFNI. Her eldest son, Ben, works for EC full time.
Team Members
Jessica McGratty-Singer
Morton James Limited / Brand X Society
Jessica has worked in Global Travel Retail for the past 15 years and has worked successfully with brands to create distribution opportunities via cruise ships, ferries, airports, airlines, hotels and downtown duty-free locations. Jessica is working with WiTR+ to support with the mentoring programme, events and administration.
What our members have to say
“Being part of WiTR+ has been an amazing experience for me. What I love the most is that it provides a safe place where I can connect with like-minded women who share a passion for the travel retail industry. This community offers a supportive network where we can exchange ideas, learn from one another, and grow both personally and professionally. The sense of purpose that WiTR+ fosters is incredibly inspiring. It’s not just about networking or attending webinars, but about making a meaningful impact and driving positive change within our industry. Through WiTR+, I’ve found a place where my voice is heard, and my contributions are valued. This combination of safety, support, and shared purpose makes WiTR+ an essential part of my journey.”
Judit Balardi
Suntory Global Spirits
“I joined WiTR+ in its early days when women were still very unrepresented within the duty-free/travel retail industry at executive level and above. As a supportive community it has helped hundreds of women over the years to share experiences, challenges and success with like-minded individuals whilst raising funds for many deserving charity projects – where true results can be seen. For me, WiTR+ events have provided new connections that have led to professional partnerships and new friendships.”
Row Holland
Essential Communications – Managing Director