Amex Travel Exec Donna Flora Dies at 62

Donna Flora, American Express’s former vice president of travel industry relations and a longtime agent advocate, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. She was 62.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Flora spent her entire 40-plus year career in the travel industry. She got her start as an agency intern when she was 22 years old, and before she was 25 was named  manager. She then spent 10 years at Revere Travel in New Jersey before it was bought by American Express.

Flora was named director of travel industry relations after five years at American Express, in 1998. Her role was to advance awareness of the brand within the trade and also act as the primary connection to the travel agency community.

Cynthia Perry, Marriott International’s global director of travel industry sales, said “Donna was a mentor, friend, and inspiration to many who knew her. Donna gave of herself selflessly with such compassion, grace, and wisdom. The travel industry has lost a beautiful soul.”