Shannon Knapp is a results-driven executive with extensive experience in the travel, hospitality and payments industries. Ms. Knapp became the president & chief executive officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (Leading Hotels) in October 2019. She previously served as Leading Hotels senior vice president and chief marketing officer for five years. Prior to joining Leading Hotels, Ms. Knapp spent 15 years at American Express, most recently as vice president of marketing for American Express Travel. 

For more than a decade, Ms. Knapp has been a driver of innovation and transformative change within Leading Hotels. Her leadership has contributed to the Company achieving historic revenue milestones exceeding $1 billion in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She guides 200 global employees to empower the commercial success of more than 400 of the world’s most exceptional independent, luxury hotels. As CEO, Ms. Knapp has transformed the Company’s business model, aligning it with the dynamic needs of independent hotels. The strategic shift extends beyond revenue generation and guest acquisition, and encompasses comprehensive hotel operations, IT support, cost saving initiatives, and customer and market insights. Ms. Knapp’s vision enables hoteliers to thrive in the rapidly evolving industry landscape, ensuring their sustained success.   Her dedication to excellence and a relentless commitment to independent hotels ensures that the Company sets the bar for luxury hospitality worldwide.