Star Clippers Names Former Lindblad Executive Leo Chang CEO

Star Clippers has appointed Leo Chang as chief executive officer, putting the former Lindblad Expeditions executive in charge of operations, growth initiatives, global market expansion and brand development. Eric Krafft, the company’s owner and current CEO, will remain with the cruise line as executive chairman.

The leadership change gives the three-ship tall sailing brand a chief executive with more than three decades of experience.

“Leo has incredible passion for our unique and authentic style of travel,” Krafft said. He said Chang’s background in small-ship cruise operations and market development makes him “the ideal leader to continue the Star Clippers legacy.”

Chang most recently served as chief business development officer at Lindblad Expeditions. In that role, he led corporate development and strategic planning, including fleet-growth work and expansion of the company’s land-based adventure travel portfolio.

Star Clippers’ fleet consists of Royal Clipper, Star Flyer and Star Clipper. Founded in 1989 by Mikael Krafft and headquartered in Monaco, the company operates sailing ships built around wind-driven cruising, with a U.S. operations presence in Miami.

The announcement did not include a start date.

Chang said he was “incredibly honored” to lead the company. He said the next phase will focus on elevating the guest experience, broadening global reach and continuing “intimate, sustainable voyages” while remaining tied to “the timeless spirit of wind-driven sailing.”