Meet The Team
Discover Villa Vie Residences – the Ultimate World Cruise Residence. We’re breaking boundaries in travel, offering affordable, sustainable, and uniquely flexible sea living. Join us to explore the world, build global friendships, and make an impact!
Our Mission at Villa Vie Residences
At Villa Vie Residences, we redefine the concept of home with the Ultimate World Cruise Residence, offering a seamless blend of luxury living and global exploration. Embracing diversity and sustainability, we invite residents to embark on an extraordinary journey, where the continous world cruise itinerary can be booked in segments of 35-120 days. Welcome to a world where life and exploration converge, setting sail on a transformative journey like no other.
Villa Vie Residences is not just a cruise; it’s a lifestyle, a journey of self-discovery, and a celebration of our beautiful planet. It’s a place where you can create lasting memories, expand your horizons, and make the world your home. We invite you to embark on this extraordinary odyssey with us, where every day is a new adventure, and the world is your oyster. Welcome aboard!
Our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of this extraordinary journey. We’ve designed the Ultimate World Cruise Residence to minimize its environmental impact, using cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly practices. From renewable energy sources to waste reduction programs, we’re dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the destinations we visit.
Meet the team
Founder & CEO
Mikael Petterson
Mikael has over 18 years cruise line finance experience, most recently as a cruise start-up consultant. He has operational finance experience at Royal Caribbean. He led the financial planning team at Prestige Cruise Holdings for over 5 years and headed the merger acquisition analysis with Norwegian Cruise Line. He holds an MBA from University of South Florida.
Chief Operating Officer
Kathy Villalba
Kathy brings over 20 years of maritime experience within Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. She has worked at various cruise lines optimizing strategic sourcing, cost improvement initiatives, vendor/partner management, leading drydock planning and project management for cruise ship refurbishments and revitalizations. She will be leading VVRI’s operational execution. She holds an MBA from Florida International University.
Chief Technology Officer
Najam Saqib
Najam is VVRI’s technical strategist and innovation developer. With a background in artificial intelligence, and network engineering his focus is on technology and innovation management. He aligns the technology behind the scenes making Villa Vie’s vision possible.
Sales
Sales Manager
Anne Alms
A firm believer in the power of optimism and perseverance, Anne is guided by the mantra “believe you can and you’re halfway there!” With over 15 years of extensive experience in Hospitality Sales, ranging from select service properties to luxury hotels and resorts, Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Renowned for her dynamic approach and unwavering commitment to achieving results, she has a proven track record in business development. Anne is dedicated to driving success through fostering strong client relationships and delivering exceptional service at every opportunity.
Sales Advisor
Tobias Lindsten
Tobias Lindsten brings a unique blend of educational and cruise industry experience to his role as a Sales Consultant at Villa Vie Residences. Originally a dedicated teacher in Sweden, his passion for service and excellence led him to the cruise sector, where he collaborated closely with industry veteran Mikael Petterson, gaining significant insights and skills. For the past 18 months, Tobias has been fully committed to his role in sales, where he expertly combines his knowledge and enthusiasm to help fulfill the dreams of his clients. With his deep understanding of customer needs and his dedication to delivering exceptional experiences, Tobias is excited to assist you in finding your perfect home at Villa Vie Residences.
Sales Advisor
Mark Doerr
Meet Mark Doerr, our stellar Sales Advisor at Villa Vie Residences. Mark has a solid background in sales, sales leadership, and account management, bringing heaps of experience to our crew. Before jumping onboard with us, he rocked in various sales & sales leadership roles with various services organizations. He received his MBA from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management. With his knack for sales and People First approach, Mark’s all about putting his clients first. Trust us, having him on the team is a total win for Villa Vie Residences.
Marketing
Marketing Manager - Web, Design, UI/UX
Sebastian Stokkendal
With a wealth of experience spanning more than a decade in business strategy, web development and online marketing, Sebastian is a seasoned professional. His expertise lies in the art of crafting compelling online experiences, seamlessly merging technical know-how, design intuition, and a keen focus on user needs.
Marketing Manager - Social & Video
Alexander Ovesen
Alexander Ovesen brings six years of expertise in web development and digital marketing across various industries. Skilled in managing high-budget social media campaigns and crafting effective marketing strategies, his focus is on driving engagement and results. With a strong background in adapting to diverse markets.
Port / hotel operations & project specialists
Director Port Operations & Environmental Compliance
Matilda Ivanova
Matilda is an experienced maritime professional with over 20 years’ combined experience at sea and ashore within the Environmental and Regulatory compliance, and ship’s port operations. She worked with leading brands in the cruise industry like NCL, MSC, and Crystal cruises, managing the company’s Environmental Management System to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations. While with Crystal Cruises, she played a key role in training, and implementation of the Environmental officer position in the Crystal’ fleet, and development and implementation of Crystal’ Global Environmental Compliance Program.
Director Hotel Operations & Product Development
Oliver Hammerer
Introducing Oliver Hammerer, our Director of Hotel Operations & Product Development at Villa Vie Residences. With over 30 years of experience in the cruise industry, Oliver has a proven track record of excellence. Prior to joining our team, Oliver served as the Product Director at Tradewind Voyages, where he played the key role in creating the vision and philosophy for the onboard cruise product and experience for the world’s largest sailing ship.
With a strong background in the hospitality sector, Oliver has held various leadership positions within the wider cruise industry, as well as working for esteemed cruise lines like Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises and Cunard Line.
Project
Specialist
Katherine Fuller
Katherine Fuller, born and raised in Miami. Studied Interior Design at Miami Dade college. She have worked in the design industry for close to 40 yrs specializing in corporate, hospitality and the cruise design. She worked for 23 yrs at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines New Build, Refurbishing & REVITE Departments, specializing in Design and Project Management. She loves the garden , art and cooking.
Technical Operations & Compliance
Director of Technical Operations
Charlie Kinnear
Director of Certification & Compliance
George Zeitler
Human Resources
Director of HR & Administration
Angela Miclat
Angela Miclat, bringing over a decade of HR and operations leadership experience, is dedicated to transforming workplaces into thriving environments. Her extensive background includes key leadership roles that have honed her skills in human resources, recruitment, and operations. Angela’s expertise in HR and contract administration ensures meticulous management of agreements and fosters a culture of trust and integrity. At Villa Vie Residences, she focuses on seamlessly managing HR and contract administration for both employees and residents, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and care.
Financing
Head of Finance
Susan Anderson
With a wealth of experience in financial management and accounting, Susan brings a strong skill set to our team. Prior to joining Villa Vie Residences, Susan served as the Director of Finance/Controller at American Queen Voyages™, where she played a crucial role in overseeing financial operations. With a background in strategic thinking and problem-solving, Susan has held various leadership positions, including Assistant Controller at Hornblower Cruises and Events and Senior Tax Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. With her expertise in financial analysis, accounting standards, and international tax, Susan ensures the smooth financial operations of Villa Vie Residences.
Resident Relations
Resident Services Manager
Michelle Heim
Michelle Heim, with a background spanning from cruise management to preschool education, Michelle is adept at problem-solving, sales, and team leadership. Prior to her current role, she served as Resource and Improvement Manager at American Queen Voyages™, showcasing her skills in process improvement and guest experience enhancement. Michelle’s passion for communication and customer satisfaction, combined with her proven track record in management, makes her an invaluable asset to the Villa Vie team as our Resident Services Manager.