Explora Announces Appointment of Jacqueline Barney as Chief Marketing Officer

Posted by Tim Cotroneo
on December 1, 2025

Santiago, Chile (December 1, 2025) — Explora is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacqueline Barney as Chief Marketing Officer. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a relationship-driven leader who blends commercial strategy with creativity for luxury travel, hospitality, and experiential brands, Barney’s new role sees her heading up global marketing for South America’s leader in luxury exploration and conservation, including oversight of public relations, digital and social media, events, and partnerships. She also heads sales operations throughout North America, with a focus on trade, direct, and commercial activity. Based in South Florida, Barney works closely with the executive team at Explora headquarters in Santiago, Chile.

“I’ve long admired Explora, whose creative approach to adventure travel and work as a B Corp promoting conservation and responsible travel are very much aligned with my values and passions,” said Barney of her appointment. “From its start in Patagonia more than 30 years ago, Explora has stayed steps ahead, guiding luxury travelers through remote regions that other adventure operators might well pass by. I’m excited to lend my creativity to marketing and sales and see my appointment as a pivotal step in my career.”

Barney assumes her new position at an exciting moment for Explora, which has recently announced the creation of the most seamless, conservation-driven network of lodges and expeditions across Southern Patagonia. With the addition of two new destinations— Explora El Calafate in Argentina and Explora Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve in Chile — Explora will soon operate five lodges throughout the region, complemented by its Tierra del Fuego Expedition. Together, these properties invite travelers to experience Patagonia as a single, uninterrupted territory shaped by diverse ecosystems, cultures, and landscapes.

Prior to joining Explora, Barney earned a reputation for shaping high-performance teams and building market-defining brand narratives for major players at the luxury end of adventure travel. Most recently, she held a senior commercial leadership role at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, overseeing strategic partnerships, global sales initiatives, and experiential programming for multiple portfolios. She has also held senior leadership roles in marketing, brand development, and more at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and National Geographic Expeditions, as well as deepened her expertise while growing opportunities in cruising, adventure travel, and conservation-driven hospitality at Seabourn, Silversea, and Adventures by Disney.

Hailing from Southern Florida, Barney earned an Executive MBA from Florida International University in Miami. Fluent in Spanish and English, she enjoys spending downtime with her family and exploring and photographing the wilds of Florida and beyond.