Sandals Foundation's Heidi Clarke Wins 2026 Skift IDEA Trailblazer Award
Event summary
- Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of Sandals Foundation, received the 2026 Skift IDEA Trailblazer Award in the 'Women Shaping the Future of Travel' category.
- Clarke has led the Sandals Foundation since 2009, impacting over 1.8 million lives across the Caribbean.
- The Foundation has supported 2,600 schools, 200 conservation initiatives, and mobilized 32,500 volunteers.
- Sandals Resorts International operates 17 beachfront all-inclusive resorts across nine Caribbean islands.
The big picture
The recognition of Heidi Clarke underscores the growing emphasis on sustainable and community-focused tourism in the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts International's philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, has become a key player in leveraging tourism for social and environmental good. This award highlights the strategic importance of integrating corporate social responsibility into the core business model of hospitality companies.
What we're watching
- Impact Scaling
- How the Sandals Foundation will expand its reach beyond the nine islands where Sandals Resorts operate.
- Sustainable Tourism
- Whether the Foundation's conservation initiatives can drive long-term environmental benefits across the Caribbean.
- Leadership Continuity
- The pace at which Clarke's leadership model will be replicated or adapted by other tourism-focused philanthropic arms.
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