Alaska Air Group today announced that Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, will become CEO of Hawaiian Airlines effective Oct. 29, succeeding Joe Sprague who will retire after a long career at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines.
Birkett Rakow will be based in Honolulu, the company’s second largest hub after Seattle, and will be responsible for the long-term performance and advancement of the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group’s business in Hawai’i, supporting the company’s guests and over 6,600 employees across the Islands.
She will continue to report to Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, and remain on the company’s Executive Committee.
Birkett Rakow’s role will also continue to include oversight of company-wide sustainability and venture investment strategies.
Minicucci said: “Hawai’i and the Hawaiian Airlines brand are critical to Alaska Air Group’s future and key to our vision of connecting the world to a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance.
“Diana has proven herself over an established career as a leader who builds strong teams, delivers results and cares deeply about people and culture.
“She will be a tireless advocate for the Hawaiian Airlines brand and for Hawai’i, and I’m confident she will lead with authenticity and vision.”
Minicucci added: “I’m deeply grateful to Joe for his tremendous contributions to Alaska Air Group over the past 25 years. Joe has served Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and most recently Hawaiian Airlines, by prioritizing culture and creating deep connections with employees and communities, while driving results.
“All those who know Joe, know that he is all-in for the people and purpose of Air Group – and I especially appreciate how he has brought that spirit to his time in Hawai’i, ensuring that Hawaiian Airlines – its people and its brand – is set up as a strong and enduring part of our team and company.”
During her eight years at Alaska, Birkett Rakow has led the company’s sustainability and corporate impact efforts, government affairs, communications, community and cultural relations, sales and customer engagement in Hawai’i and Alaska, and the airline’s venture investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures.
Over the last year, she has also served on the board of Hawaiian Airlines. Prior to joining Alaska, she held senior executive roles at Group Health and Kaiser Permanente, and earlier in her career was a health policy advisor for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
Birkett Rakow holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University and master’s degrees in public health and public administration from the University of Washington.
She is actively engaged in her community as a board director for Puget Sound Energy and serves on several international councils to advance sustainability and clean energy.
