Full Name
Melissa Maher
Job Title
FOUNDER & CEO, PINNACLE ENTERPRISES GROUP
Speaker Bio
Melissa S. Maher is the Founder and CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises Group, a leadership advisory and executive coaching firm partnering with senior leaders, founders, and organizations navigating growth, transformation, and high-stakes moments. A former Expedia Group C-suite executive, Melissa brings decades of experience across travel, hospitality, technology, and global partnerships.
Known for helping leaders sharpen their leadership voice, elevate executive presence, and make confident strategic decisions, Melissa works with executives facing complex change, increased visibility, and evolving stakeholder demands.
She is the author of Holding Your Own: Speaking, Acting, and Winning in the Business World, a practical leadership guide focused on self-advocacy, executive presence, and influence. Melissa is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, delivering keynotes and executive programs across the travel, hospitality, and broader business ecosystem.
Previously, Melissa served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Industry Engagement at Expedia Group and was appointed the company’s first Chief Inclusion Officer. Earlier in her career, she led global commercial and partner organizations as Senior Vice President of the Global Partner Group.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies with a focus on hospitality leadership, Melissa remains deeply connected to the future of the travel and hospitality industry.
Melissa serves as an advisor to Female Founders in Hospitality, Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, Women in Travel Thrive, and Thayer Ventures, contributing strategic insight at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and growth.
Her leadership has been recognized by Hotel Management as one of the 30 Influential People and by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the 50 Most Influential and 100 Most Inspirational People in the global travel industry.
Known for helping leaders sharpen their leadership voice, elevate executive presence, and make confident strategic decisions, Melissa works with executives facing complex change, increased visibility, and evolving stakeholder demands.
She is the author of Holding Your Own: Speaking, Acting, and Winning in the Business World, a practical leadership guide focused on self-advocacy, executive presence, and influence. Melissa is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, delivering keynotes and executive programs across the travel, hospitality, and broader business ecosystem.
Previously, Melissa served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Industry Engagement at Expedia Group and was appointed the company’s first Chief Inclusion Officer. Earlier in her career, she led global commercial and partner organizations as Senior Vice President of the Global Partner Group.
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies with a focus on hospitality leadership, Melissa remains deeply connected to the future of the travel and hospitality industry.
Melissa serves as an advisor to Female Founders in Hospitality, Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, Women in Travel Thrive, and Thayer Ventures, contributing strategic insight at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and growth.
Her leadership has been recognized by Hotel Management as one of the 30 Influential People and by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the 50 Most Influential and 100 Most Inspirational People in the global travel industry.
Speaking At
