Norwegian Leadership Team Bios

President, Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Marc Kazlauskas is the Brand President of Norwegian Cruise Line. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the brand’s global strategy and commercial performance and leading cross-functional teams in driving innovation and elevating the guest experience. With more than three decades in the premium and luxury sectors of the travel and tourism industry, Kazlauskas previously served as CEO of Avoya Travel, one of the largest travel companies in the U.S. and a leading travel platform and host agency. Prior to this, he served as President of FROSCH and Managing Director of Chase Travel Group, one of the world’s leading travel companies with more than $11 billion in sales and a global footprint, where he led large teams, managed multi-billion-dollar operations, and oversaw key partnerships across airlines, tour operators and cruise lines. Before his time at Avoya Travel and FROSCH/Chase Travel Group, he held leadership roles at Insight Vacations, where he oversaw U.S. operations and drove triple-digit revenue and profit growth, and Tauck World Discovery, where he led worldwide sales. Kazlauskas began his travel-industry career at Orient Cruise Line, previously part of the Norwegian Cruise Line portfolio. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for Signature Travel Network and has served on advisory boards for major global airlines and travel companies.

Chief Marketing Officer,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Kiran Smith is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Norwegian Cruise Line responsible for leading the organization’s multi-channel marketing and advertising strategy overseeing all digital marketing, e-commerce, consumer insights, promotional efforts, earned media, owned media, analytics, partnerships and brand initiatives. Her approach is led by insight-driven storytelling as the core of strengthening brand positioning, increasing guest engagement, driving sustained performance and attracting new cruise audiences, while continuing to engage loyalists.

Twenty years of retail brand development and growth driven by multi-channel marketing, Smith's previous experience includes executive level roles across national and international consumer-focused brands, including serving as the CMO at ButcherBox, iRobot, Brookstone, and Stride Rite as well as Chief Executive Officer of Arnold Worldwide, where she led a comprehensive assessment and realignment of the agency's business model to increase profitability. Her career journey also includes experience with SUPERVALU and Shaw's Supermarkets, Alliance Consulting Group, Kraft Foods and Accenture.

Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Bucknell University then went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, specializing in Marketing. In her free time, she enjoys hosting family dinners with her husband, three daughters and close friends.

Chief Revenue Officer
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

John Chernesky serves as the Senior Vice President of North America Sales of Norwegian Cruise Line. He oversees the North America Sales and Trade Management teams for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Brenda Yester Baty is NCL's Chief Revenue Officer, responsible for all revenue generation across the brand, including ticket and onboard revenue, and will play a critical role in advancing Norwegian’s disciplined growth, pricing strategy and guest-centric commercial innovation. She is an industry veteran and a proven commercial leader with over 25 years of experience driving revenue growth, commercial transformation and operational excellence across Fortune 500 companies, private equity-backed businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. With nearly two decades-worth of experience in the cruise industry specifically, she offers deep expertise in pricing, revenue management, distribution, onboard commerce, analytics and digital enablement, along with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver sustained financial results.

Baty's previously served as an operating partner, advisor and investor across private equity portfolios and growth-stage businesses. She previously held senior leadership roles at top cruise line companies, as well as Lennar Corporation. She is also an accomplished entrepreneur and board leader, having served as Board Chair of Make-A-Wish America and in multiple governance and advisory roles. She is a University of Miami alumni with an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

John Chernesky serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer overseeing global trade and consumer sales. Chernesky’s multifaceted experience in the industry and passion for the trade community is instrumental in his role as he is dedicated to prioritizing Norwegian’s Partner’s First philosophy, which is the Company’s long-standing commitment to being the easiest cruise line to do business with travel advisors.

With more than 30 years of cruise industry experience and a reputation for championing travel partners, Chernesky joined the Company in 2023 as the Senior Vice President of North America Sales responsible for the trade sales in the U.S. and Canada. His long‑standing career spans multiple disciplines and leadership roles across the cruise industry—from sales and trade marketing to hotel operations, onboard revenue, business development, newbuild design development, and passenger programs—with a proven track record of delivering solutions that drive sales and elevate guest satisfaction.

A graduate from Miami University with a bachelor's degree in marketing, Chernesky now resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their twin sons. In his free time, he plays golf to unwind.

Senior Vice President, Guest Services,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Katty Byrd is the Senior Vice President of Guest Services for Norwegian Cruise Line, overseeing various service departments, including Global Trade FIT and Group Sales/Service, Resolution Desk, Guest Relations, Support Operations, Training and Development, Inbound Direct Sales, Shore Excursions and the Brand’s onboard incentive CruiseNext team. Byrd also played a key leadership role in the global implementation of the Company’s “Follow the Sun” initiative to provide Norwegian Cruise Line guests consistent superior customer service worldwide 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Prior to her current role, she held various positions within the organization including Senior Director of Onboard Sales where she oversaw the successful development of Norwegian’s CruiseNext program, increasing sales by 291 percent in only three years. Byrd also led the expansion of her Outbound Sales team, growing the departments from 12 to 300 NCL team members. Previously, she was Director of Consumer Sales, managing Inbound and Outbound Remote Consumer Sales as well as Sales Training and Development. She began her time with the organization in 2008 as a Sales Manager for the Outbound Sales team.

Before joining NCL, Byrd served as a Sales Coach and Team Leader at Carnival Cruise Lines where she oversaw Outbound Consumer Sales. Prior to that role, Byrd was Director of Sales and Marketing with Global Rent-A-Car where she was responsible for Latin America sales and marketing.

Byrd obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Florida International University in 2019. Currently, she is a member of All SoFla NCLH Female Executives, NCL Women In Sales Empowerment (WISE), and a mentor within the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) mentoring program. Originally from Cuba, Byrd now resides in Davie, Fla with her husband of 15 years, Richard.

Chief of Staff,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Todd Hamilton serves as NCL's Chief of Staff, overseeing strategic insights in shaping NCL’s long term objectives, financial planning and forecasting that drive the brand’s performance and sustained growth. In this capacity he is responsible for aligning financial priorities with corporate objectives to deliver operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional guest experiences.

Since joining Norwegian Cruise Line in 2007, Hamilton has held leadership roles spanning finance, revenue management, sales and operations. He previously held the roles of Senior Vice President of New Ventures and Senior Vice President of Sales for Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as Vice President of International Business and Vice President of Commercial and Business Planning for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

His broad expertise across the cruise industry has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of global markets and organizational dynamics. With a proven ability to connect financial vision to operational execution, Hamilton continues to play a key role in driving innovation and growth across the organization.

Hamilton received a B.S. from Spring Hill College and an M.B.A. from University of Miami. Originally from New Orleans, he now resides in Coral Gables, Fla. with his wife Aileen, his son Reid and his rescued Australian Heeler, Buck.

Chief Experience Officer,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Mark Kansley serves as Chief Experience Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line and oversees all hotel operation functions including housekeeping, food & beverage, entertainment, cruise programs and show productions, ensuring consistency, innovation, and excellence across every guest touchpoint. Under his leadership, the culinary team has won numerous prestigious food and beverage awards. Kansley is also responsible for the operations and development of NCL's resort destinations - Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize. The operations of the events, charter, meeting and incentives function of the Company are also led by Kansley, as is Sixthman, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line and leader of themed festivals at sea.

Beyond his operations role, Kansley plays a crucial part in leading the delivery of newbuilds, ensuring that the latest vessels meet Norwegian’s standards and delivers a world-class experience for guests.

Mark Kansley first joined Norwegian Cruise Line in January 2001 as a shipboard Hotel Director and transitioned to the corporate office in 2005 as Director of Hotel Operations. Over the years, he has held various roles in the Hotel, Food & Beverage, Training, and Product Development areas, gaining diverse and extensive experience.

Before joining Norwegian, Kansley worked as a Hotel Director for various cruise brands in the contemporary market, where he was responsible for managing Hotel Operations on board numerous vessels, honing his skills and knowledge of the cruise industry.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, where he studied Commerce at the University of Cape Town, Kansley now resides in Ocala, Fla., with his wife Clare and their son and daughter. His diverse experience, combined with his passion for hospitality, continues to drive the success of Norwegian Cruise Line’s operations.

Chief Financial Officer,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Charles Pulliam serves as NCL's Chief Financial Officer, leading the Company's financial strategy and performance to ensure profitable operations while supporting continued fleet growth and long-term financial stability.