Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Tue October 28, 2025
Kirsten Andrade. (Photo Credit: Kirsten Andrade)
Bio
Kirsten Andrade joined the travel industry in 2020 and built her business from scratch during the pandemic. In just five years, she grew her sales to nearly $1 million, earned a leadership role mentoring new advisors, and received industry honors, including attending Future Leaders in Travel and Global Travel Marketplace, along with winning a Wave Trendsetter Award.
In 2025, Andrade became Director of Operations and Travel Advisor Development, where she now supports and trains over 65 advisors while continuing to grow industry relationships.
Andrade has always believed in community over competition—openly sharing sales strategies, training concepts, and marketing tools to uplift fellow advisors. This mindset earned her a Wave Trendsetter Award in Targeted Marketing after creating a consumer course on navigating theme parks, which she then shared with advisors to help them educate and empower their clients.
As a mentor and now Director of Operations, Andrade continues developing booking tools, sales guides, and client resources to ensure every advisor is equipped to deliver exceptional travel experiences with confidence.
Empathy and transparency are two of her strongest qualities, never forgetting what it was like to start from scratch as a brand-new advisor. She believes in being an open book about what has worked, what has not worked, and where her team can actively work to improve. She welcomes feedback, adapts when needed, and leads with honesty, knowing that growth comes from listening, learning, empathizing, and evolving together.
Andrade is 38 years old.
"Being named to TravelPulse's 40 Under 40 is an incredible honor and feels like a full-circle moment," says Andrade.
"When I started in the industry in early 2020, amid a global pandemic and a lot of unknowns, I never imagined how much this industry would shape who I am, not just as a professional, but as a human. This award means more than just recognition; it is a reminder that personal growth comes from connection, learning, and giving back to the community that I adore."
"I'm proud to represent the travel industry, where we pride ourselves on the idea of community over competition, and we continue to inspire the next generation of advisors to dream big and to keep creating memorable adventures! It's a true honor to stand beside those who are shaping the future of travel and being named one of the 40 Under 40 motivates me to continue leading with purpose, mentoring others, and creating meaningful connections to help create a stronger travel industry as we move forward together," she concluded.
Industry References
"As Owner and CEO of Favorite Grampy Travels (FG Luxury Travel), I have worked closely with Kirsten since she joined our agency in 2020 and watched her evolve from a brand-new advisor into the backbone of our operations and the leader of our advisor development program," said Nikki Hendrix, Owner & CEO, Favorite Grampy Travels.
"Kirsten launched her travel career at the height of global uncertainty and still managed to build a thriving book of business—growing from zero to nearly $1 million in sales in under five years—while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction and repeat referral rates. In 2025, she transitioned to Director of Operations & Travel Advisor Development, where she now supports and trains more than 65 advisors across the country. She has created a comprehensive, branded training curriculum (modules, worksheets, and practical toolkits) that improves new-advisor ramp time and equips experienced advisors with modern best practices in service, sales, and social content," added Hendrix.
"Beyond metrics, Kirsten is a culture builder. She champions 'Community over Competition,' launched internal initiatives like our Brag Board and constructive feedback channels, and leads with empathy, transparency, and accountability. When something isn’t working, she diagnoses the issue, shares lessons learned, and implements a solution—bringing people along with clarity and grace," said Hendrix.
"Her industry leadership is recognized beyond our walls. Kirsten was named a Future Leader in Travel (2022), returned as a Guide (2023), earned a WAVE Trendsetter Award (2024), and attended GTM Elite (2025). Suppliers trust her, peers seek her counsel, and our advisors look to her as a mentor who genuinely elevates those around her."
"Kirsten is exactly the kind of professional this award exists to celebrate: resilient, innovative, service-obsessed, and generous with her talents."
"I have known Kirsten for over two years now and her knowledge and experience would be a huge asset to the group," said Wayne Spector, Senior Vice President, NEST. "She will bring a different perspective, being a former advisor and now managing and mentoring others to get the best out of them."
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