About WiTR+

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.

739

Members

150

Countries

120

Events

€304,000

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.

Contact Me

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

“When I joined WiTR+ at the end of 2022, I was looking for a platform of woman in the TR industry, with whom I could connect – WiTR+ provided this platform, through their regular virtual webinars and in person social gatherings at various TR events. Becoming a member not only provided this connection to like-minded individuals within our industry but opened the door to numerous inspirational and motivational talks
The element which touched me most, was the WiTR+ annual charity drive, to support less fortunate woman, children and communities where members are given the opportunity to recommend a charity. In 2023, it was an honor to have my charity of choice nominated – Koma Karanth Foundation, which build homes, feeds, educates and supports the community of Gloria Mindoro in the Philippines. Throughout 2023 a total of 34,133 Euros were raised through WiTR+ webinars and in-person TR events, enabling the charity to build a total of 6 furnished family homes for this community. The names of WiTR+ and their sponsors, feature on each home, in recognition of the generous donors.
It is a honour and pleasure to be associated with this wonderful network of executive woman, lead by Sarah Branquinho and Gerry Munday who constantly strive to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those less fortunate.”

Tracy Ross

ARIME | Projects & Design Manager – LEED Green Associate