Sarah Derry, Homeward Bound

Former Accor Pacific boss Sarah Derry has been appointed CEO of global transformational leadership initiative, Homeward Bound.

The non-profit organisation, established in 2016, is dedicated to supporting women from STEMM backgrounds to “lead with impact and influence”, with the goal of reaching 10,000 women by 2036.

“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 as we grow as an organization,” said Derry

“Together, we will continue our mission and embrace the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as we contribute to making a more sustainable world.”

Beyond her role at Accor, Derry has worked in a variety of industries throughout her 30-year executive career, spanning the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

“We are excited to welcome Sarah Derry as our new CEO,” said Homeward Bound Board Chair, Jodi Schmidt.

“Her extensive global leadership experience and passion for driving impactful change are perfectly aligned with the next phase of Homeward Bound’s vision and strategic goals.

“We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Olivia Giudice, our interim CEO, and wish her continued success in her future endeavours.”

Homeward Bound has supported and connected leaders across 55 countries, with its alumnae at the forefront of addressing global challenges like environmental issues, health crises, and biodiversity loss.

To date, Homeward Bound has run eight flagship online programs with six leadership expedition programs to Antarctica, inspiring hundreds of women to take action on sustainability.