Orlando Ashford Makes List of Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America

Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford has been named to the prestigious list of executives on Black Enterprise’s 2017 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America. The listing is featured in the September/October issue of the publication.

Ashford joins an impressive collection of executives that includes Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company and parent of Holland America Line, as well as Julia Brown, chief procurement officer for Carnival Corporation.   

“The Black Enterprise Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America is a who’s who of prominent African American leaders who are vital to the management of corporations with significant U.S. operations,” said Earl G. Graves, Jr., president and CEO, Black Enterprise.

“Orlando’s leadership has initiated a successful and ongoing reinvigoration of the Holland America Line brand by redefining the onboard experience and embracing a responsibility to help shape the perspectives people gain from travel.”

“I am humbled by the recognition given to me by Black Enterprise magazine, and it is a privilege to be honored among such a distinguished group of recipients,” said Ashford. “I am a firm believer that travel opens minds, builds connections and inspires shared humanity between our guests, employees and the many cultures we explore around the world. This is our guiding principle and it is increasingly important for us all to foster a greater understanding of our differences and become ambassadors for each other.”  

Ashford holds additional notable honors, including Savoy magazine’s list of Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America; a Travvy Award for Most Innovative Executive, Mid-sized Cruises from travAlliancemedia; the 2016 Leadership Award from Bethune-Cookman University; and the 2017 StreetWise Champion by StreetWise Partners, the only stand-alone mentoring program in the country that focuses on workforce development.

Ashford is an accomplished author, and his book “Talentism” addresses the global disconnect between available jobs and the millions of eligible workers.

Ashford is also on the board of directors for ITT Corp., chairman of the board for the Executive Leadership Council, a founding board member of Positive Coaching Alliance’s Seattle chapter, and a Washington Roundtable member. He is a Purdue University School of Technology Distinguished Alumnus.

As an active cruise industry executive, Ashford recently delivered the keynote addresses at the Society of American Travel Writers convention in Portland, Ore., and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s conference in Mexico.