Hispanic heritage month: Shifting the conversation with Karina Fioraneli

One day, during a family conversation, my cousin came to me and said: “Viação Aérea São Paulo Airlines (VASP) is offering internship opportunities! Don´t you want to apply?” This quick exchange sparked my interest in the travel and tourism industry – and it’s only grown from there!

I interned at VASP for six months before my mom made a new friend who turned out to be the HR Director of Transportes Aéreos Regionais (TAM), which is now known as LATAM. My mom´s friend invited me to interview at TAM Airlines, where I worked for five years. I gained experience in reservations, airport check-in, ticketing, air tariff and training. My responsibilities also included teaching Sabre Qik to groups of 30 new hires each month. I became a Sabre expert and learned how to provide excellent customer service, inspired by the founder of TAM. At that time, aviation was glamourous, and the iconic red carpet welcoming all TAM passengers was a signature of the airline. In this moment, I learned that good service translates to increased sales.

In 2000, I transitioned to an agency/consolidator at LEISER/OREMAR and worked there for six months until Sabre´s training manager invited me to work at Sabre as an instructor. This opportunity sounded both exciting and challenging. I only spoke my native language, Portuguese, at the time. So, while providing training across Brazil, I dedicated myself to studying English and learning from other Sabre team members worldwide.

After four years, I moved from training to become an account director for American Express for two years, then an agency sales supervisor for the select segment for three years, managing a team of 16 account managers. My passion for leadership emerged, focusing on how individual talents and skills contribute to business goals. While leading the select segment, I pursued an MBA in marketing, driven by my ongoing passion for communication and the desire to prepare for future opportunities.

In 2010, I applied for the regional marketing manager position after much encouragement by the agency sales leaders. Despite my limited knowledge from my MBA program, I embraced the role with joy and dedication. I spent about 13 years marketing in Brazil and later went on to manage the regional team in Latin America. During this time, I experienced significant career growth opportunities, became fluent in English and added Spanish to my repertoire.

Today, I lead a team of 10 account directors and managers, overseeing the agency customer base in Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. I feel fulfilled and grateful for my career journey, owing much to those who have supported me along the way. I learn from each team member daily. Integrity, respect, harmony and collaboration are values I cherish, knowing that our differences contribute to our collective success.

Working at Sabre has been both challenging and extremely rewarding! Sabre empowers us and provides the necessary tools to end of each day satisfied, saying, “It was worth it. Let’s sell more!”

As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of a beautiful excerpt from a Brazilian song by Guilherme Arantes that embodies my daily attempt to spread positivity: “And I wish to love, everyone I cross, along my path. As I am happy, I want to see happy, whoever walks with me. Come!”

In Portuguese: “E eu desejo amar, a todos que eu cruzar, pelo meu caminho. Como sou feliz, eu quero ver feliz, quem andar comigo. Vem!”