Ingunn has an extensive background in the hotel and travel industry, as well as association management. She began her career with travel agencies and tour operators such as the Danish Ecco Rejser and the Scandinavian companies VING and Fritidsresor. At the age of 23, she stepped into leadership as Booking Manager for Fritidsresor in Greece, overseeing 10 incoming flights per week from Scandinavia and leading a team of 35 people. She has lived and worked in several countries.
Ingunn also spent several years with one of the world’s leading cruise lines, Royal Viking Line, before returning to Norway to study economics at BI Norwegian Business School. During this time, she founded her own conferences and meetings agency, which she later sold before moving into consultancy within the hotel industry.
In 1993, Ingunn became involved with HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International) Norway as a volunteer, and a few years later she was appointed Managing Director. Under her visionary leadership, HSMAI Norway experienced significant growth, achieved strong member retention, and established itself as one of the leading associations in the hotel and travel industry. She was elected Vice Chair of the HSMAI Global Board of Directors in 2002. At the end of 2015, HSMAI Region Europe was founded in London, and Ingunn became its President and CEO.
