Meet the team
Discover the team behind 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 leadership

Founder & Executive Chairman
Mikael Petterson
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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 Executive Officer
Kathy Villalba
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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
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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.

Director Port Operations & Environmental Compliance
Matilda Ivanova
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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
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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.

Head of Accounting
Susan Anderson
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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.

Director of Sales & Analytics
Aaron Powell
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A champion of innovation and strategic thinking, Aaron is guided by the belief that “success is not just about what you achieve, but how you achieve it.” With over 20 years of experience spanning procurement, logistics, and analytics—particularly within the cruise and travel industries—Aaron brings exceptional expertise and a results-driven mindset to his role as Director of Sales & Analytics. Known for his analytical approach and commitment to excellence, he has a proven history of driving growth and streamlining operations. Aaron is passionate about leveraging data insights and strategic vision to propel Villa Vie Residences forward, fostering collaboration and delivering impactful outcomes every step of the way.

Senior Sales Advisor
Tobias Lindsten
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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 years, 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.

Marketing Manager - Web, Branding & Strategy
Sebastian Stokkendal
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With a wealth of experience spanning more than a decade in business strategy, web development, and online marketing, Sebastian is a seasoned professional whose career has been defined by innovation and impact. His expertise lies in the art of crafting compelling online experiences that not only captivate audiences but also drive measurable success.
Sebastian seamlessly blends his technical acumen with a deep understanding of design principles and user psychology, ensuring that every project he undertakes is as functional as it is visually engaging. From developing robust digital platforms to orchestrating data-driven marketing strategies, he is skilled at bridging the gap between technology and creativity.

Marketing Manager - Social & Video
Alexander Ovesen
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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.

HR Manager
Angela Miclat
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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.

Administrative Coordinator
Febbie Galope
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Febbie strongly believes that pursuing one’s passion turns work into a source of fulfillment rather than mere routine. As a skilled administrative support professional, she possesses extensive experience in executive assistance, office management, and event coordination. Currently, she plays a crucial role at Villa Vie Residences, offering vital support to multiple departments. Before her current role, Febbie excelled as an administrative assistant, demonstrating efficiency in managing schedules, preparing payroll, and handling HR documentation. Febbie’s rich professional background reflects her steadfast commitment, flexibility, and outstanding performance across diverse administrative capacities.

Resident Services Manager
Maria Avellaneda
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Meet Maria Avellaneda, our incredible Resident Services Manager at Villa Vie Residences! With 11 years in the tourism industry and 6 years in the cruise world, Maria brings a wealth of experience and heart to our team. A devoted mother, animal lover, and polyglot who speaks 5 languages, Maria is driven by her passion for helping others. Her commitment to creating a supportive and enriching experience for our residents is just one of the many reasons we love having her on board.