Please note: Unseen Oceans will open at 12 noon on Wed., June 18.
Chief Sales and Operations Officer
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As Chief Sales and Operations Officer, Cathy Estelle oversees the Academy’s earned revenue portfolio—including ticketing, retail, food and beverage, NightLife, event rentals, and guest experience operations—as well as building operations and IT. Her focus is on driving revenue, optimizing systems, enhancing the visitor experience, and aligning cross-functional strategies in support of the Academy’s mission.
Estelle, who most recently served as the Academy’s Senior Director of Sales and Revenue, has been a key contributor to the Academy for more than a decade. She brings over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development across the hospitality, technology, and museum sectors.
Since joining the Academy in 2014 as Director of Sales and Business Partnerships, Estelle has led with strategic vision and cross-functional collaboration. She has spearheaded major initiatives including the launch of the Academy’s first-ever summer camp, revamped Daytime Admission pricing structure, a refresh of the children’s retail store and the Academy Café, and operational improvements to the 21+ Thursday evening NightLife program.
Before joining the Academy, Estelle held leadership roles at Greystone and Handlery hotels. She holds an MBA from San Francisco State University and a BA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she played Division I volleyball. Outside of work, Cathy enjoys coaching her daughter’s club volleyball team and exploring the East Bay, where she now lives after many years in San Francisco.