Julia Vander Ploeg
Julia is an experienced digital and technology executive who has served in senior leadership roles forseveral large global brands, with leadership work spanning all aspects of digital strategy, e-commerce, data strategy, the use of artificial intelligence, and digital marketing. In her most recent operating role, Julia served as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Digital and Technology for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Leading both Digital and IT, she was responsible for all digital revenue, and led the teams that enhanced Hyatt’s technology capabilities by advancing the guest experience through personalized digital innovation. During her tenure, Hyatt doubled its digital booking volume, and partnered with Apple to launch Room Key for Apple Wallet as a first in the hotel space.
In previous roles, Julia led a significant digital transformation effort of Volvo Car Corporation’s consumer and enterprise digital business plans, implementing new digital commerce business models and reshaping the company’s digital technology governance. Prior to Volvo, Julia was Vice President of Digital for McDonald’s U.S.A., where she designed and hired the organization’s first native digital team, established its first strategic digital product roadmap, and launched mobile ordering at 14,000 restaurants in North America. Her professional background includes managing the P&L of Ticketmaster’s resale business unit during years of explosive growth in their mobile technology evolution.
She currently sits on the board of directors of Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR), serving on the audit committee and chairing the compensation committee. She is on the supervisory board of Ahold Delhaize, the $87B global Netherlands-based public company and omni-channel grocery retailer that is a leader in supermarkets and e-commerce at the forefront of sustainable retailing. She is an independent director of Neighborly Inc., the world’s largest home services company with more than 30 brands, backed by KKR. Julia also serves as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Julia received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, where she is proud to now serve as an Adjunct Professor of Executive Education.
