Transcend Cruises Promotes Kimberly Daley to President
Daley joined Transcend as an adviser in 2022 before becoming chief revenue officer, and helped launch Connect, the company’s first purpose-built ship, delivered in 2026.
Transcend Cruises has promoted Kimberly Daley to president, shortly after Edie Rodriguez joined as chief executive officer. Daley previously served as chief operating officer of the charter-only, business-to-business European river cruise operator, a position she had held since October 2025.
Daley joined Transcend as an adviser in 2022, the year the company was founded, before becoming chief revenue officer. Rodriguez called the promotion “one of my first tasks as CEO.”
“She has been the driving force in successfully launching the Transcend brand,” Rodriguez said. She also credited Daley with developing sales and expanding the team, and with the launch of Connect, the company’s first purpose-built ship, delivered in 2026.
“Transcend was built on a simple idea: Groups deserve a river cruise designed entirely around them,” Daley said. She said she would work alongside Rodriguez and the team to expand the fleet and bring the company’s offering to more partners internationally.
Before joining Transcend, Daley ran Daley & Co., a consultancy serving large corporations, startups and nonprofit organizations. Her earlier leadership positions included president and CEO of MT Sobek and senior vice president of sales strategy at Pleasant Holidays. She serves on the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s board and chairs the Center for Responsible Travel.
Rodriguez succeeded Gregg Marston, who stepped down from the executive position but remains a director. She also joined the board.
Her cruise experience includes serving as president and CEO of Crystal Cruises, where her responsibilities included Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, and as Americas brand chairman of Ponant. She also held senior marketing, sales and business development positions with Azamara Cruises, Cunard Line and Seabourn.
At Transcend, Rodriguez is responsible for strategic direction and brand development. “Together we will focus on growing the business successfully and profitably,” she said of her work with the company’s team.
