The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has today announced that Lisa Pagotto has resigned from her role as Vice-Chair and board member.
Lisa informed the board of her decision last week, choosing to step away in order to focus on new ventures that require her full energy and leadership. Her resignation marks the conclusion of more than five years of board service, including the past three and a half as Vice-Chair.
Throughout her tenure, Lisa played a significant role in helping to evolve CATO’s strategic direction and deepen its member engagement. She was a strong advocate for small and independent operators, championing greater inclusivity and innovation across board-level conversations, programs and industry positioning.
In addition to her governance and strategic contributions during a period of significant transformation, including pandemic response and post-COVID recovery, Lisa also offered her own business, Crooked Compass, as a litmus test for many CATO-led initiatives. From the early development of the CATO Accreditation to evaluating associate member offerings, she actively helped bridge the gap between policy and practical implementation.
Lisa contributed to CATO’s governance and policy direction during a time of major transformation, including the pandemic period and the post-COVID recovery phase. She led several new initiatives that strengthened the organisation’s profile and member value, including the development of CATO’s event calendar, International Women’s Day campaigns and broader industry engagement efforts.
Statement from Dennis Bunnik, CATO Chair
“We are saddened to see Lisa leave CATO. Lisa’s impact on CATO and its members cannot be overstated. Lisa was a mentor and advisor to many of our smaller members, supporting them through challenges large and small. Lisa was instrumental in the launch of the successful CATO Quiz Nights, International Women’s Day lunches and the inaugural CATO Business Summit. She was a driving force behind the growth of the CATO Christmas lunch and networking events. Most importantly she stood up during the covid years and helped shape the organisation we have today. CATO is much stronger for having had Lisa on board.
Personally, I have greatly valued her opinions and input and on behalf of the board and all members I’d like to thank Lisa for her dedication to CATO during these past 5 years.”
Statement from Lisa Pagotto
“After more than five years on the CATO board, including three and a half as Vice-Chair, I’ve made the decision to step away to focus on a new chapter and ventures that require my full attention. Serving the membership, particularly smaller and independent operators, has been a privilege I’ve never taken lightly.
I’ve always believed that progress comes from thinking differently, even when that’s uncomfortable. I’m proud to have stood for innovation, member connection and a more inclusive, future-focused voice. I remain committed to those values and to the broader conversations they’ve helped ignite.”
