Karryn Christopher has been named president of Signature Travel Network to large applause today at its Owners’ Meeting in San Diego. Alex Sharpe, who previously served as CEO and president, will continue in his role as CEO.

Christopher first joined Signature in 2001 as manager of marketing services and has progressed up the ladder—always in the marketing space—in the 24 years since. She has previously held the roles of director and (later) vice president of marketing services, senior vice president of sales and marketing and (most recently) executive vice president of marketing and preferred partnerships—a role she has held since 2019.

An announcement by Signature says she “has helped shape the network’s culture, serve members, strengthen partnerships and champion coworkers.” Sharpe, in a conversation with LATTE, added that she’s “the heart and soul [of Signature] in many, many ways.”

Promoting Christopher—whose other duties include serving as Godmother of Viking Gersemi—to the role of president was the logical and easy decision, he explained. “She’s been my partner in crime since the beginning,” said Sharpe. “She has the broadest responsibility now; over 60% of our team reports to her (via their respective departments).”

Although he did not need their approval, Sharpe nonetheless went to Signature’s board of directors to tell them about his plans to name Christopher president. There was never a doubt they were all on board with the move.

Potential Realignments

Christopher’s appointment marks the start of a shared leadership model with Sharpe. As president, she will take on a more outward-facing role, deepening engagement with members, partners and industry stakeholders. Sharpe, for his part, will continue guiding Signature’s strategic direction and long-term growth. Among the things they plan to tackle together are technology investment (with a particular focus on artificial intelligence) and Signature’s international expansion.

“The most important thing,” Christopher told LATTE, “is that we’ll align all of the departments.” In her role as EVP, she oversaw marketing, events and preferred partnerships—but each of these departments, as she said, “touches technology, touches training, touches member acquisition, touches member engagement, touches finance.”

“Our vision, our goal is more support, more space for everyone on the team to grow,” Christopher added.

Supporting and Growing Membership

The leadership transition, Signature said, underscores its “commitment to ensuring that the systems and partnerships built today deliver long-term value, scalability and alignment with its mission.”

That sentiment was echoed by Christopher. Once the departments within Signature are brought into better alignment, the top priority will be to “make sure we have the bandwidth and the support to be able to serve our members and attract and serve future members,” she said.

The realignment will not be a quick fix, said Christopher, who added it will not simply comprise the task of finding her replacement in the marketing and preferred partner department. Christopher and Sharpe are going to consider the best way to set up Signature for the future, which could include internal promotions and external hires to fit the new hierarchy.

Leadership and Legacies

On her leadership style, Christopher told LATTE that she spent over 10 years working with former Signature President Michelle Morgan, who died of breast cancer in 2013, and has worked alongside Sharpe in his role for almost 15. Meaning: she’s had the benefit to learn from each of their leadership styles. “I will never claim that I can be the type of leader Michelle was, which was exceptional, [and] I will never be the type of leader Alex is, which is exceptional, but I’m very proud that I am a nice blend of both of them.”

Said Sharpe: “Legacy is not about what you achieve; it’s about how they do once you go and what you left behind. I’m not in a rush to go anywhere, but I’m excited about what she’ll do.”

On announcing Christopher as the new president of Signature Travel Network on stage Sharpe said ahead of time: “I can’t think of anything that I’ve been able to do here that will make me more proud.”