Alaska Airlines has today announced leadership promotions across key functions of the new combined organization with Hawaiian Airlines, with the elevation of five key leaders have to Vice President positions.
On Wednesday (November 13, 2024), Alaska Airlines announced that the company’s Board has elected five new executives in support of continued growth and delivery on the value of the company’s recent combination with Hawaiian Airlines. Five leaders have been elevated to Vice President positions, with Natalie Bowman being elevated to VP of Digital Experience, Cameron Cloar-Zavaleta as VP of Legal, Megan Ouellette as VP of Public and Government Affairs, Alexa Rudin as VP of Communications, and Todd Traynor-Corey ad VP of Guest Products and Experience.
As Vice President of Digital Experience, Natalie Bowman will drive Alaska’s digital transformation by enhancing the customer experience across all touchpoints. Ms. Bowman will lead teams in product management, design, and software engineering to deliver seamless interactions for the carrier’s customers. She recently served as Managing Director of Digital Product & Design, overseeing guest-facing digital platforms, including Alaska’s website, mobile app, and airport digital experience. Previously, she was Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising. Natalie Bowman has been with Alaska Airlines for eight years, and has played a key role in advancing the company’s digital strategy by implementing machine-learning to enhance marketing effectiveness, enabling app personalization, and pioneering GenAI travel innovations.
As part of Cameron Cloar-Zavaleta’s new role as Vice President of Legal, he will continue to lead the Group’s regulatory efforts related to the Hawaiian Airlines merger, while managing a diverse portfolio within the legal team, including regulatory affairs, litigation, compliance, labor and employment. Mr. Cloar-Zavaleta served in a pivotal role in Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and the complex regulatory and review process. He has over 15 years of legal experience, having previously served at the major legal firm Nixon Peabody, and at two other airlines before joining Alaska Airlines in 2018. Since joining Alaska, Cloar-Zavaleta has held progressive leadership roles as Director of Litigation, Managing Director of Litigation and Regulatory Law, and Deputy General Counsel.
Before joining Alaska, Cameron Cloar-Zavaleta was a Pilot and First Officer at Mesa Air Group, and elected ALPA representative, and held the roles of flight instructor and check instructor. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Flight Science, and also earned a juris doctor degree from the University of San Francisco’s School of Law.
Serving as Vice President of Public and Government Affairs, Megan Ouellette will lead Alaska Airlines’ governmental strategy and community relations initiatives, overseeing an integrated team driving engagement in public policy and with government officials. Before this promotion, Ouellette served as Alaska Airlines’ Managing Director of Government and Community Affairs. She joined the company in 2005 as Director of Government Affairs in the carrier’s Washington D.C. Office, where she spearheaded advocacy efforts across various regulatory and policy issues impacting the airline industry.
Previously, Megan worked in the U.S. Congress, managing air transportation and homeland security issues. She is an attorney with a deep commitment to public service, having practiced law at Winterbauer & Diamond PLLC in Seattle. Ouellette holds a juris doctor degree from Seattle University’s School of Law and and is a member of the Washington State Bar. She also studied international and comparative law at Trinity College in Dublin, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.
Alaska’s new Vice President of Communications, Alexa Rudin, will set and execute the carrier’s comprehensive communications strategy, guiding internal and external communications, executive communications, issues management and crisis communications. She will oversee a team dedicated to promoting and protecting Alaska and Hawaiian’s brands and reputations across all markets. Deploying an integrated communications approach, Ms. Rudin will cultivate engagement in Alaska Airlines’ vision, culture of care, operational and financial performance and other key objectives for the company’s workgroups and other stakeholders.
Alexa Rudin previously served as Alaska’s Managing Director of Communications, where she led internal and external communications for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. She has 20 years of experience in crisis and issues management, orchestrating global product launches, employee communications, media relations, and overseeing partnerships, consolidations, and leadership transitions. Before joining Alaska, she held key communications roles with Nordstrom, Vulcan, and Levi Strauss & Co. Rudin holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Davis, and is also a University of Washington Foster School of Business Executive MBA candidate (June 2025).
As Alaska’s new Vice President of Guest Products and Services, Todd Traynor-Corey will oversee the strategic vision and operational execution of Alaska’s and Hawaiian Airlines’ guest products and overall travel experience. He will be responsible for airport lounges, onboard food and beverage, inflight experience and connectivity, contact centers, and the broader premium guest experience. Mr. Traynor-Corey brings over 20 years of airline industry experience, with a focus on elevating guest services. Previously serving as Alaska’s Managing Director of Guest Products, he led Alaska’s inflight dining transformation, integrating partnerships with Stumptown Coffee and other local craft brands, while also expanding sustainable menu offerings.
Additionally, Traynor-Corey oversaw the expansion of Alaska’s lounges, launching a two-tier membership model, and led major cabin upgrades to improve the guest experience. His previous experience includes leadership roles at United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, specializing in premium onboard and airport services. He holds an MBA from Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration from Farmingdale State University.
Source: Alaska Airlines