Tripadvisor in transition as CEO, top exec prepare to depart

One week after announcing he will retire from the company he co-founded and has led for 21 years, Tripadvisor CEO Steve Kaufer took the stage at The Phocuswright Conference 2021 on November 16.

But one bit of news he did not share in his discussion with Phocuswright research director Alice Jong was that Tripadvisor chief experience and brand officer Lindsay Nelson is also leaving the company early next year.

According to the SEC filing dated November 19, Tripadvisor originally presented Nelson with a separation agreement on November 4 and, following two revisions, she signed it on Thursday – two days after Kaufer’s appearance at the conference.

Given the date of Nelson's first separation letter, it’s unclear if the company originally intended to announce the two departures together on November 8, but Tripadvisor head of global communications and industry affairs Brian Hoyt says the announcements of Nelson leaving and Kaufer resigning are “not related.”

In the SEC filings, Tripadvisor says Kaufer will “step down,” while Nelson’s departure is described as “a termination of employment without Cause as of January 9, 2022.”

When asked for comment regarding Nelson’s departure, Hoyt says via email: “Tripadvisor has an incredible market opportunity as travel rebounds post-pandemic. Organizations evolve, especially fast-moving Internet businesses like Tripadvisor, and executive departures occasionally happen. Lindsay has created a lot of value over the last three years at Tripadvisor, and she will undoubtedly leverage her talents elsewhere as she transitions out early next year, and we wish her well.

"Moving forward, Tripadvisor’s top areas of focus and opportunity as we move into 2022 and beyond is working to further develop and grow our subscription businesses, such as Tripadvisor Plus, and our high-growth experiences and dining offerings. We will look to bring in leaders who can help us achieve these business objectives as the company evolves.”

In his conversation on Center Stage at The Phocuswright Conference, Kaufer explains why now is an appropriate time for him to do something different, although he admits he has “no idea” what that will be. He also explains why he is confident in Tripadvisor’s future, what he is proud of – and what he would have done differently - in his role as CEO and why the slate of candidates considered to replace him must be diverse. 

Watch the full interview below.