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B M & T ••• September/October 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 H olland America Line's Denella Ri'chard, senior director of Trade Communications and Engagement, has been named one of The Network Journal's 25 Influential Black Women in Business. Ri'chard was honored by the magazine at a luncheon in New York City earlier this year. Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line states "any- one who has met Denella can quickly see that she's an incredible leader in our organization and throughout the cruise industry. Her dynamic personality certainly con- tributes to her success." Ri'chard hadn't always known that her path would lead her into the world of travel;however, it was in her last year of College at Southern University HBCU, that her passion for travel was kindled. At that time, Ri'chard was given the opportunity to study abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe and she enjoyed the experience immensely. Nelson Mandela had recently been elected as South Africa's new president and Ri'chard would travel from Harare to South Africa often. It was during her time in Africa that her fondness for travel was truly realized. After graduating from Southern University with a degree in broadcast journalism, Ri'chard proceeded to Dallas to work for a television production company as pro- duction manager. She produced 'Destinations' a travel show for United Airlines' inflight television viewers. As producer, she would send the crew and hosts around the world to film in exciting locations; however, she was unable to go. "At age 67 my mother obtained her degree from Southern University and to celebrate, I took her on a Norwegian Cruise," states Ri'chard. My mother is one of my biggest inspirations! At the age of 36, my father, Daniel J. Richard, died in a car accident one block from our home. My mother instantly became a single parent with two chil- dren. However, on a secretary's salary, she still managed to send my brother Jamie and I to Catholic school and to col- lege. Her positive, loving and motivating spirit has always kept me going." Soon after returning from their Norwegian Cruise to Greece and the Adriatic Sea, Ri'chard had an encounter with the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. She was recruit- ed to work in the cruise industry for Norwegian as their director of business development & director of global product management. Ri'chard declares, "I was so excited to be working in the cruise industry; the industry is grow- ing so fast and there are always new ships being launched, it's such a thrill!" Over the following years, Carnival Corporation had been on Ri'chard's radar as they were taking on very impressive new African-American leadership. Carnival Corporation CEO, Arnold Donald is also from Ri'chard's hometown of New Orleans. She began networking via Linkedin and reached out to Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. Denella was subsequently recruited to DENELLA RI'CHARD: ONE OF THE NETWORK JOURNAL'S 25 INFLUENTIAL BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS "The greatest part of my job at Holland America Line is the people," BY VICTORIA HEAD continue on page 18