Vicki Nakata

Built aviation-focused venture studio team backed by Alaska Airlines and UP.Partners. Co-founded 3 AI/ML startups addressing key airline pain points: 1) Odysee.ai for network revenue maximization and operations simulation, 2) Tailsight.ai for automated aircraft maintenance planning, and 3) stealth AI-driven pricing optimization for airline ancillaries and upsells. Secured seed financing for startups, hired amazing CEOs and transitioned startups out of the studio, and serve as a Board member or strategic advisor to the standalone startups.

Leader of Series A business aviation software company with team members in Silicon Valley, Vancouver, and Kyiv. Succeeded the cofounders and pivoted the company from a B2C charter flight marketplace to B2B SaaS for air charter demand management, pricing, quoting, and sourcing optimization. Secured financing from multiple sources, grew revenue through direct and VAR channels, and owned strategic partnerships. Exited to Portside and Magellan Jets.

C-level executive of the world's largest online car rental agency and part of Booking Holdings (previously the Priceline Group). Responsible for improving the customer experience and driving growth in international markets as well as leading bids for airline and loyalty program strategic partnerships. Managed the integration of Rentalcars.com into Booking.com as part of the Connected Trip strategy.

Officer of $2.5B airline serving Hawaii, Mainland US, and Asia-Pacific. Responsible for P&L and double-digit growth of the airline's loyalty program and ancillary revenue products, including co-branded credit cards, premium economy, airport lounges, vacation packages, and baggage fees. Managed product launches, loyalty marketing, online merchandising, and customer engagement. Oversaw capital projects including airport lounge renovations and new cabins for the B717 fleet.

Led the bid process, negotiated deals, and managed executive relationships with Hawaiian Airlines' ancillary revenue and marketing partners, including Barclaycard, MasterCard, Bank of Hawaii, American Express, Expedia/Orbitz, Allianz, CarTrawler, airlines, hotels, and loyalty programs.

Led team focused on corporate strategy and transformation initiatives, including a company-wide reorganization.

Managed client engagements in the airline, aerospace, and technology practices of top-tier strategy consulting firm. Engaged with Fortune 500 and private equity clients on growth strategy, M&A, due diligence, performance improvement, and organizational effectiveness.