Travora Media is powered by a team of relentlessly savvy leaders from travel, technology & advertising.
Headquartered in New York City with offices across the country and in the UK, the Travora team members includes:
Nan-Kirsten Forte Chief Executive Officer & Editor-in-Chief
Nan joined Travora as CEO in September 2011 after 13 years of ground breaking success leading Consumer Services at WebMD. Most recently she was Executive Vice President, Brand Development and Chief Innovation Officer, and before that, Executive Vice President, Consumer Services, and an officer of WebMD Health Corp.
Nan helped establish WebMD as the #1 health information brand and one of the most trusted overall brands in America. She was instrumental in growing WebMD's consumer audience from less than 1 million to over 100 million monthly unique users and raising the WebMD Health Corp. market cap to more than $2 billion. She spearheaded the creation and launches of
WebMD the Magazine, WebMD Video, WebMD Mobile, WebMD Pets, WebMD Baby, and WebMD Healthy Beauty. In addition, Nan oversaw and directed the development and growth of medicinenet.com, emedicinehealth.com and rxlist.com.
Earlier in her career, Nan served as President, Programming and Product Development of Medcast, Greenberg News Networks, and helped facilitate its sale to WebMD. Previously, she was President of Health at iVillage, where she launched its first health channel, Better Health. She has developed new media programs for companies such as Time Inc., IBM, Mosby, Times-Mirror, NBC, Reader's Digest, Discovery, and PBS.
Nan began her career pioneering new media technologies and communication channels with The Center for BioMedical Communications of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. She received a Master's of Science in BioMedical Communications from Long Island University and is an undergraduate of Swarthmore College.
In Nan's dream trip to Bali, "images dance of a luxury grass hut situated over the clear blue waters."
Dominic Butera Chief Financial Officer
Dominic joined Travora as Chief Financial Officer in September 2010, bringing nearly 25 years of senior financial leadership experience from a wide range of industries including online advertising, search, e-commerce, publishing, gaming, and financial services. Prior to Travora, Dominic was CFO at IAC's largest segment, Search & Media, which includes operating Ask.com,
Dictionary.com, Evite, IAC Advertising Solutions, Ask Sponsored Listings, and Mindspark. Dominic began his career with KPMG as a Certified Public Accountant.
A true Italian, Dominic wants to "travel to the Amalfi Coast, because there's no better place to enjoy the Italian way of life."
Tim Springstead Head of Sales
Tim Springstead is the Head of Sales at Travora Media, Inc. In this role, he leads Travora’s global advertising sales efforts, managing the domestic and international sales team. In 2011, Tim directed the launch of Globetrotting Digital Media, the travel and leisure division of Evolve Media Corp. He has devoted the past 8 years to the media and marketing industry holding positions at Evolve Media Corp., Travel Ad Network, IAC and AskJeeves Interactive and was named one of PhocusWright's "35 under 35 in Travel" in 2010.
Tim serves on the Board of Directors of Digital Surgeons, a digital marketing agency based in New Haven, CT, as well as The Motivational Edge, a Miami, FL based nonprofit which creates and implements enhanced academic, music and physical education programs for underprivileged and at-risk youth.
Tim received a BS degree in Computer Applications and Information Systems and MBA from the University of Bridgeport.
Tim's next adventure will be swimming with the great whites off Capetown, South Africa.
Colan McGeehan Global Vice President of Market Development
Colan joined Travora in October 2011 as Global Vice President of Market Development. He is now responsible for domestic and international business development, vendor relations, product rollout and publisher relations. Over the past decade Colan has worked in print, newspaper, internet and mobile advertising. His past ventures include WebMD—both pharmaceutical and consumer market industries—the New York Times, and the Tribune Company.
Colan is a 2002 graduate of DeSales University in eastern Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. in Information Technologies, Marketing, and Business Management.
As for dream destinations, Colan doesn't discriminate. As long as there is a cold stout in town, he looks forward to visiting. Slainte!
Drew Podella Director of Market Development
Drew has been with Travora since June 2008. His primary focus is publisher recruitment and business development. In December 2008, he helped productize and roll out the behavioral products still supported today.
Prior to Travora, Drew worked for a behavioral targeting ad network, TACODA, which was acquired by AOL in 2007. After graduating from Marist College in 2004, he started on the agency side at MindShare NY. During his tenure, he planned ad campaigns for MBNA and Unilever products including Hellmann’s, Bertolli, Vaseline, and Axe Body Wash.
Drew hopes to get to Barcelona within the year to catch a soccer match at Camp Nui.
Ayalla Barkai Director of Product Management
Ayalla is a digital specialist with 10 years of online experience. She is responsible for driving Travora’s consumer product strategy: problem solving and perfecting the user experience across all Web and mobile environments.
Prior to joining Travora, Ayalla held positions at Time Out New York and Kasamba.com, where she leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to help bring the Tel-Aviv-based Web startup to its acquisition by LivePerson, Inc. Ayalla earned her BA in Communications and Psychology from the University of Michigan, and then an MBA from Bar Ilan University.
Ayalla’s next adventure will be roaming the stunning landscapes of New Zealand.
Jen Gold Director of Product Development
Jen joined Travora in 2008 and has since managed the TopTrips website and newsletter, as well as the Let’s Go partnership including the 2011 Let’s Go City Guide apps launch. She is currently leveraging emerging technologies to develop consumer-facing initiatives.
Jen spent eight years as the Director of New Media for Rough Guides, overseeing the company’s digital strategy, including building and managing the website, integrating a community platform, developing a content management and distribution system, securing content licensing partnerships, producing and marketing e-books, and creating online language guides. Jen holds a BA in Intellectual History from the University of Pennsylvania. She got her start during the early days of Web startups and has always had a soft spot for the convergence of travel, media, and technology.
Jen’s travel dreams swirl between Chile, Iceland, and a return to one of her favorite countries, Nepal.
Jason Baird Vice President, Strategy & Operations
Jason is a world-class leader in online advertising strategy and operations. Jason joined Travora Media in October of 2010 from Geeknet, Inc. (Sourceforge.net, Slashdot.org, Thinkgeek.com), where he served as Chief Operations Officer, leading all sales and revenue operations.
Previously, Jason spent over a decade at MTV Networks (MTV.com, Nick.com, ComedyCentral.com, VH1.com, Gametrailers.com, AddictingGames.com, Shockwave.com, and Neopets.com). As a Director, he founded the online advertising operations department in 1999 and helped to pioneer online video advertising. He was promoted to Senior Director, Advertising Operations, in 2004 for the U.S. business, and then Vice President, Commercial Operations & Strategy for MTVN International, based in London. He initiated and supervised all aspects of multinational advertising operations, planning, and product, and headed a global team spanning Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Europe, driving significant revenue growth.
Prior to his tenure with MTV Networks, Jason worked in Client Services at NetGravity (now DoubleClick's Enterprise Solution), where he supported campaign fulfillment and the implementation of new advertising technologies.
Angkor Wat and Southeast Asia make Jason's bucket list "for exploring ancient ruins, experiencing amazing culture, and enjoying beautiful beaches."
Ben Lin Vice President, Technology
Ben Lin joined Travora in 2009, bringing over 10 years of technology and development leadership experience with him. Prior to joining Travora, Ben held senior management positions at Travelocity and IgoUgo.
Ben has his sights set on Malaysia––"the melting pot of Asian cultures, the food, and the amazing beaches" are enough for him.
Ali Kellerman Sr. Manager, Product Marketing
Ali joined the Product Marketing team at Travora Media in June 2011. Her work experience comes from years spent at Glam Media and Nielsen IAG Research. She has performed multiple functions and roles ranging from product development and packaging to account management and publisher development across a range of lifestyle marketers. Ali is a graduate of Syracuse University and holds a B.S. in Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
Ali would love to explore the Greek Islands for the sandy beaches, ancient history and, of course, the food.
Maria Simeone Manager, Strategic Events
Maria joined Travora in 2011 with over seven years of event planning experience. She is responsible for executing all relationship-building and business-building events, working cross-functionally to showcase Travora’s B2B and B2C products and services at industry sponsored events and client, employee, and executive events.
Maria is the founder of Backyart, a multidisciplinary art event designed to foster conversation and collaboration between artists.
Maria’s dream trip is island hopping in Greece, combining classic history with a modern travel experience.
Beth Demoz Executive Coordinator, Market Development
Beth joined Travora Media in August 2011 after working in the marketing departments of WebMD, Revlon, and TruTV. Her marketing career follows her time spent as a studio manager for a music production company, working with major recording artists, writers, and producers. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in Radio/TV/Film.
Beth dreams of a safari adventure in the Massa Mara in Kenya where she hopes to witness the Great Migration.
Ray Witter Director of Sales, Europe
Ray manages our European advertiser and publisher relationships from our London Soho office. Since joining Travora in March 2007, Ray has been instrumental in creating and continually raising Travora's profile and reputation throughout Europe and our international markets.
Ray has 12 years experience as a digital advertising specialist. Prior to joining Travora, he held management positions leading small and large advertising sales teams at VNU, Hemscott, The Build Group, and Newsquest, launching websites, magazines, and exhibitions.
Ray wants to explore the heart of Venezuela, "sailing down the Amazon River to experience the incredible rainforest wildlife."
Jonny Byrne Director, Advertising Solutions, Europe
Jonny joined the Travora office in July 2010. He has over 13 years of media sales experience, with the last decade dedicated to the digital space.
Jonny began his career with VNU, where he rose to head the Business & Finance portfolio, launching VNU's first website and
helping advertisers transition from print to digital. At the company's International division, Global Media, he devised Pan-European cross-media solutions for advertisers including IBM, HP, Dell, and Microsoft. On to Italian ISP Tiscali, his agency sales team drove substantial revenue growth for seven years before Jonny moved onto Adify, founding their UK office.
Given the time, Jonny would ride his motorbike across the U.S., "the best way to see and experience any place and its people."
