From Cruise CEO to World Cup Chair, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo shares her remarkable journey breaking barriers as Celebrity Cruises' first female CEO and now leading the 2026 FIFA World Cup host committee. In this candid conversation, she opens up about navigating the male-dominated cruise industry, leading through COVID-19's unprecedented challenges, championing gender diversity, and orchestrating major transformations. Lisa reveals powerful leadership lessons learned over her 40-year career - from starting as a door-to-door sales rep to becoming a trailblazing executive. She discusses building high-performing teams, turning setbacks into motivation, and her mission to create opportunities for women in leadership. Whether you're an aspiring leader or seasoned executive, Lisa's insights on resilience, authenticity and embracing new challenges will inspire you to dream bigger and believe in yourself.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Lisa Lutoff-Perlo’s Backstory
02:06 - Gender Balance in the Cruise Industry
07:01 - Leading Through COVID-19
11:35 - Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
15:37 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Preparation
18:47 - Current Ramp-Up for the World Cup
22:10 - Gender Diversification in Leadership
29:07 - Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace
37:25 - Building Your Personal Brand
40:00 - The Strength in Asking for Help
42:25 - Future Plans for Julie
43:59 - Embracing New Opportunities
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lutoff-perlo/
https://lisalutoffperlo.com/
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Ken Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Leadership Talent Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue.
#seattlesports #worldcuporganizingcommittee #pressconference #seattle
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is President & CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Miami Host Committee, overseeing strategy, fundraising, fan activations, and operations for Miami’s seven matches in the tournament. A recognized leader in global business, hospitality, and sports, she was honored with the South Florida Business Journal and Forbes Travel Guide Lifetime Achievement Award.
Previously, Lisa was Vice Chairman, External Affairs for Royal Caribbean Group, and from 2014 to 2023, served as President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises, becoming the first woman to lead a Royal Caribbean brand. She is credited with transforming Celebrity Cruises through bold innovations in ship design, service, and digital strategy, and for driving the company’s post-pandemic recovery.
Lisa is a trailblazer in diversity and inclusion, making history with the first all-female bridge crew and significantly increasing the percentage of women in leadership roles. Under her leadership, Celebrity Cruises became the first brand to earn Forbes Travel Guide’s star ratings for its ships.
She serves on the Board of AutoNation and chairs the Hornblower Group, and is the author of the best-selling leadership book Making Waves: A Woman’s Rise to the Top Using Smarts, Heart and Courage.
You can learn more about Ken and his team at
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