Michelle Woodley is President of Preferred Travel Group. In this role, she oversees multiple departments across the company including development, revenue management, customer relations, IT, and human resources. She also works closely with CEO Lindsey Ueberroth to support the development of other strategic areas of focus within the organization, and serves as a company spokesperson.

Since joining Preferred in 2002, Michelle has held various leadership positions with cross-functional responsibilities including Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy, Senior Vice President of Distribution & Revenue Management, and Executive Vice President, the role she held prior to her promotion to President in January 2018. She has used her expertise to help the company successfully execute on major global initiatives designed to foster longevity of the Preferred brand such as two comprehensive rebranding initiatives, the launch of multiple brand websites, the introduction and institutionalization of a Revenue Management Certification Program, the technology conversion of the company’s global central reservation system and call center services, and the creation of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program. In 2018, several months after she was named President, she received recognition by Hotel Management as one of the most influential women in hospitality.

Previously, Michelle spent five years as Vice President of Distribution for Swissôtel and Raffles Hotels & Resorts, charged with overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the company’s electronic distribution and database solutions. She held various senior positions in operations, marketing, and distribution with Swissôtel from 1990 to 1997.

Michelle has been an active board member in industry organizations throughout her career. She is currently on the Sabre Hospitality Executive Advisory Board, the Active International Travel Advisory Board, and the Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research Advisory Board, and serves as an executive committee member for the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Foundation Board of Directors. She previously served on the Board of HSMAI Americas, and spent two terms as president and two terms as vice president of the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA). She was a founding member of the Open Travel Alliance (OTA) and served two terms on their board of directors as treasurer.

Michelle is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. She is based in Chicago with her husband and two sons.