MEET THE TEAM
Professor Geoffrey Lipman, Founder
Professor Lipman is a globally recognized leader in the tourism industry. As a key figure in organizations like IATA, WTTC, and UNWTO, he has driven significant initiatives, including the liberalization of airline regulations, the establishment of CSR Certification, and the promotion of sustainable tourism through programs like ST-EP and the Davos Climate Summit.
In addition to his roles on various public and private sector boards, Professor Lipman has worked closely with the World Economic Forum on Competitiveness and Smart Travel initiatives. He co-founded SUNx to implement climate justice in tourism through various initiatives and promote Climate Friendly Travel. His work continues to inspire and guide the future of sustainable tourism.
Ged Brown, Co-Founder
Ged Brown is the Founder and CEO of Low Season Traveller, an organization dedicated to promoting travel during non-peak seasons to combat over-tourism and provide unique experiences. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Ged has held senior positions at leading companies such as Thomas Cook, TUI, and Kuoni, and has been instrumental in pioneering tourism’s role in air service development during his decade at UBM Routes Events.
A passionate advocate for sustainable tourism, Ged is a Founding Partner of The World Tourism Association of Culture and Heritage and actively contributes to industry discussions on responsible tourism. As an avid traveler and podcaster, Ged believes in travel that benefits host communities, protects the environment, and preserves cultural heritage.
Dominic Wanjiru, Community Manager
Dominic is a sustainability leader who is pasionate about the future of Climate Friendly Travel. He holds a degree in Travel and Tour Operations Management (BSc) from Moi University, Kenya and a Climate Friendly Travel Diploma offered by SUNx Malta at the Institute of Tourism Studies (Malta). He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Beckett University. In his current role, Dominic manages and grows a revolutionary carbon loyalty program that rewards travelers across the world for reducing their carbon footprint. He leverages his skills in membership marketing, customer engagement, and data analysis to create and deliver value propositions, campaigns, and incentives that attract and retain members and partners. Connect with Dominic on linkedin
Bo Pelech – Vice Chair
Bo is an Executive in Residence at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, where he teaches an applied consulting project course called ‘Sustainability: Making the Business Case’. Bo is also an advisor at the Mayor Wilson educational consultancy. He excels at building ecosystems with early adopter industry partners to support this unique, highly inclusive, broad-based academic curriculum across innovation problem statements, growth and strategy.
In the past, he held senior positions within the investment banking industry, and also acted in a research role within the small-market PE sector. He was a founder of a data-oriented marketing start-up and has supported other start-ups as both an angel investor and mentor.
Divya Dey – Researcher
Divya is a community impact leader, having worked in the impact space of environmental and social sustainability for over 10 years. A passion striking from her personal identity of witnessing the rise of flooding through family in Bangladesh got her inspired to pursue the intersectionality of combining environmental stewardship with social activism. She has since completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in International Development Studies and Environmental Science with additional minors in French, Sustainability and Global Development, Health and the Environment. Throughout her degree, she continued to work in a variety of sectors, discovering her love for creating impact in diverse spaces with diverse people. As she finishes her Master degree in Sustainable Management, Divya hopes to continue to uplift communities and create an impact everywhere she goes.
Rahul Bothra – Program Manager
Rahul Bothra is the Program Manager at the Climate Friendly Travel Club, bringing a wealth of experience in marketing, project management, and digital strategy. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Rahul has led key initiatives that enhance our digital presence and support our mission of promoting Climate Friendly Travel.
Rahul’s academic background, with an MSc in Marketing from Durham University and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, equips him with a unique blend of technical and marketing expertise. Fluent in multiple languages and skilled in various digital tools, Rahul is devoted to creating and managing programs that empower communities and promotes sustainable tourism around the globe.