Leah Talactac is President and Chief Executive Officer of Viking, leading the company's executive committee and helping set the strategic direction for its global river, ocean and expedition operations.
Talactac became chief executive on 14 May 2026, succeeding Viking founder Torstein Hagen. Hagen moved to the position of executive chairman and remained chairman of the board, while Linh Banh succeeded Talactac as chief financial officer.
As president and CEO, Talactac reports to Viking's board and serves as the principal link between the board and the executive committee. Her responsibilities include overseeing the execution of Viking's global growth strategy while maintaining alignment across the business and its destination-focused guest experience.
Career at Viking
Talactac joined Viking in 2006 and has held a succession of senior financial and corporate leadership positions. These have included Group Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
During her tenure as CFO, she was responsible for functions including corporate accounting, financial reporting, capital markets, corporate governance and board relations. Viking credits her with helping guide a period of significant fleet expansion and operational growth.
Talactac worked alongside Torstein Hagen in leading Viking Holdings' initial public offering in 2024. The flotation brought Viking to the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker VIK and was the largest IPO on the exchange that year.
She was appointed President of Viking in January 2025 while retaining her CFO responsibilities. In that combined role, she led the executive committee before the board appointed her chief executive in May 2026.
Viking chief executive
Talactac's appointment represented a significant leadership transition for the company founded by Hagen in 1997. Viking described the change as the result of long-term succession planning, with Talactac continuing to work alongside Hagen and an experienced executive team.
Her first months as CEO included the delivery of ocean ship Viking Mira and continued expansion of Viking's river fleet. The company also exercised options for two additional ocean ships scheduled for delivery in 2032.
In August 2026, Viking reported second-quarter revenue of $2.19 billion, an increase of 16.5% from the corresponding period of 2025. Net income rose to $587.7 million and adjusted EBITDA increased by 18.2% to $748.4 million.
At the time of the results, Viking said 96% of the 2026 capacity passenger cruise days available across its defined core products had been sold. It had also sold 53% of its expanded 2027 capacity. Talactac said the results reflected the continued execution of Viking's long-term strategy and demand for its destination-focused products.
Read Deck7's full report: Viking revenue rises 16.5% as 2026 capacity reaches 96% sold.
Earlier career and education
Before joining Viking, Talactac worked at Ernst & Young LLP in Los Angeles from 1999 until 2006, progressing to the position of manager.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California's Leventhal School of Accounting. Viking describes her as having more than 25 years of experience across financial management, business leadership and corporate strategy.
Sources: Viking executive biography; Viking CEO transition announcement; Viking President appointment; Viking second-quarter 2026 results; and Viking Holdings 2024 registration statement.
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