E282: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo - Dare to Dream BIG
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is a recognized global business powerhouse and recipient of numerous awards including the South Florida Business Journal and Forbes Travel Guide Lifetime Achievement Awards. She is best known for her transformative role as the former CEO of Celebrity Cruises, where she made history as the first woman to lead a major cruise line. Her leadership helped redefine the luxury cruise experience with a focus on innovation, diversity, and sustainability. She also helped activate the enthusiasm for Soccer here Miami during her tenure as President & CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Miami Host Committee. She’s a sought after Keynote speaker and the author of Making Waves, A woman’s Rise to the top using Smarts, Heart and Courage. After listening to Lisa's journey, we can assure you that you will dare to dream BIG!
Links
Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lutoff-perlo
Website: www.lisalutoffperlo.com/home
Book www.amazon.com/dp/B0C68B5896
Show notes time stamps:
🌟 [02:43] If I can do it - you can do it: dream bigger and don’t limit yourself.
📈 [06:17] Starting from the bottom: build your resume and your value while
👩💼 [09:41] Leading with vulnerability and care gives results: leaders must admit when they need help.
🛳️ [13:32] Empathetic leadership: Lisa saw the sacrifice her crew made so she changed the culture in the company.
👠 [18:19] Diversity and proving she deserves to be in the industry: gender issues and challenges.
🛟 [23:03] Lisa appointed the firstfemale captain of a mega cruise ship:Kate McCue
👧 [26:04] Girls are biased: progress is made but girls need to know they can do more and be successful.
⚽ [30:27] Becoming the head of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami host committee: the biggest sporting event in the world.
🖥️ [35:25] Be your own PR: Lisa’s academy and course on leadership and community.
😇 [26:52] Personal posts on LinkedIn are getting the most traction: people need the human side of leaders.
🍀 [39:19] Evolve or become extinct: we have so many dimensions that sometimes we don't explore
🎯 [41:26] What makes Lisa tick: being quiet and finding your inner strength - finding your silver lining.
Key Messages from the Episode:
- Dream Bigger and Embrace Opportunities – Lisa emphasizes the importance of dreaming beyond what you initially envision for yourself. She highlights how taking opportunities that feel uncomfortable can lead to monumental growth, even if you don’t feel prepared at first.
- Leadership Through Empathy – Lisa shares how empathy and vulnerability are strengths in leadership, enabling better connections with teams and fostering success. Genuine care for others, especially employees, leads to more motivated, productive, and loyal teams.
- Breaking Gender Barriers – Lisa reflects on her journey as the first woman to lead a major cruise line and the obstacles she overcame in a male-dominated industry. Her experience shows how proving yourself with competence and fostering respectful relationships can dismantle skepticism.
- Building a Strong Team Culture – Lisa believes in creating a family-like environment within teams. She recounts how she changed the culture within the Celebrity Cruises team by caring for and investing in employees, leading to exceptional results.
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Lisa Lutoff-Perlo
Author, Chairwoman of the Board
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo is a recognized global business powerhouse and recipient of numerous awards including the South Florida Business Journal and Forbes Travel Guide Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Most recently, Lisa served as President & CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Miami Host Committee, where she led the strategy, fundraising, fan activations, and operations for the seven Miami matches of this globally significant event. Her dedication to excellence and innovation helped position Miami—a world-renowned sports and entertainment destination—as a standout host city for the tournament, which anticipates more than 3.5 billion viewers worldwide.
Prior to her role with FIFA, Lisa spent 40 years in progressive leadership positions at the Royal Caribbean Group where she made history as the first woman to serve as President and CEO of one of the company’s multibillion-dollar subsidiaries, Celebrity Cruises (2014–2023). During her tenure as CEO of Celebrity she redefined the luxury cruise industry with groundbreaking ship designs, innovative services, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. She also transformed the financial performance of the Brand to historic levels. Before leaving the Royal Caribbean Group, she held the role of Vice Chairman, External Affairs for the Royal Caribbean Group, where she strengthened industry partnerships and advanced company strategy across its global portfolio of three Brands.
A trailblazer in the global hospitality industry, Lisa has received numerous accolades for business transformation, leadership, and now se… Read More
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