Maria Puma

About Maria Puma

My career was predestined. My father was a professional opera singer, and my mother, a music, art, and literature aficionado. Both were avid travelers. Growing up in my house, I was surrounded by books, music, art, and dreams of seeing the world.My background shaped me as a lifelong traveler, learner, and lover of the arts and I built my career on my passions, as a luxury goods marketer, a writer, and an ultra-luxury travel business owner. My success lies in my ability to blend all my passions and share them with others. At my core, I am a curator of luxury experiences. I have spent years living, studying, and working abroad. My BA in Italian Literature took me to Florence and Bologna, Italy. For my MA, I returned to Florence and added History and Art History to my studies. I became fluent in Italian and forged lifelong relationships. These experiences would go on to shape me and my career until this day.During my tenure in luxury wine & spirits marketing at Schieffelin & Somerset (JV between LVMH and Diageo) I had the opportunity to direct all aspects of integrated marketing. At this time, I also earned an MBA in Marketing and Management. I learned luxury – what elevates a brand experience to something truly special. I developed as a manager and delved into the wonderfully rich world of high-end wine and spirits. Best of all, I traveled extensively to vineyards and distilleries throughout the world.These experiences led me to a career as an Ultra-luxury Travel Professional, combining my talents, expertise and passions into my work. I specialize in delivering bespoke, impactful programs that elevate travel through innovation and differentiation, with a keen understanding of the preferences and interests of the top 1% demographic, forging new creative avenues for market growth and far exceeding customer expectations. My tours could take you for a private dinner at Versailles, an exclusive “salacious” evening at Hampton Court Palace, an event celebrating the latest innovators of miniature painting in Udaipur, or to a private dinner with divas after the opera at La Scala. And I have designed and instituted travel programs for some of the highest level corporations and most renowned cultural institutions in the country. The Director of Development for the Metropolitan Opera called my tours the most effective development tool she had ever experienced. As a curator and lifelong learner, my goal is to share the breadth and depth of my experiences and network to further expand the frontiers of truly meaningful luxury travel.

Experience

1. President

   Renaissance Journeys Ltd

   Mar 2006 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Redefining the standard in ultra-luxury travel by curating aspirational experiences that bring together the worlds of art, culture, gastronomy, hospitality, and wine & spirits. These bespoke programs have forged new avenues for market growth for Fortune 500 companies and world-renowned cultural institutions, driving revenue and advancing strategic goals, while far exceeding customer expectations, galvanizing client engagement and loyalty, and ultimately converting customers into brand evangelists.Recognized as a trusted luxury advisor, I’m frequently engaged to consult on high-profile brand initiatives and partnerships across the culinary, wine, arts & culture, and hospitality sectors. I bring a 360-degree entrepreneurial mindset, blending strategic planning, concept development, integrated advertising and promotional strategy, client cultivation, and end-to-end program execution to create standout curated initiatives that elevate luxury experiences and brand engagement.Select luxury clientele include: The Metropolitan Opera, Moët Hennessy USA, Veuve Clicquot, and members of the Forbes 400.

Education

• Middlebury College

  M.A., Italian Studies

  1989 — 1991

• University of Pennsylvania

  B.A., Italian & English Literature

  1983 — 1987

• NYU Stern School of Business

  M.B.A., Marketing

  1997 — 1999

Skills

• Event Planning
• Program Management
• Social Media Marketing
• Marketing Communications
• Marketing
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Customer Insight
• Market Planning
• Relationship Marketing
• Marketing Management
• Tourism
• Strategy
• Event Management
• Brand Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Integrated Marketing
• Entrepreneurship