Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute, is retiring at year’s end after a nearly 40-year career in the travel industry, including overseeing the non-profit education leader for the last seven years and after supporting it for multiple decades.
Her retirement marks the culmination of decades of commitment to the professional development of travel advisors worldwide. For Petras, the role was more than a job; it was a calling that combined her passion for education with a drive to strengthen the travel industry. With the timing right, she plans to devote her time to family, community initiatives, and, naturally, more travel adventures, confident that The Travel Institute is well-prepared for the future.
A Legacy of Growth and Innovation
Diane Petras first became involved with The Travel Institute in the 1990s, volunteering to manage annual training conferences and joining its national advisory board. By 2010, she was serving as chief operating officer, where she focused on integrating technology and modernizing operations. In 2018, she was named president, taking the helm of an organization with a long-standing reputation for shaping professional travel advisors.
During her tenure, Petras spearheaded transformative initiatives that positioned The Travel Institute as a leader in accessible, high-quality travel education. She was instrumental in transitioning from printed textbooks to a responsive e-commerce platform, introducing a best-in-class interactive learning system, and launching a digital credentials tool that helped advisors market their expertise directly to consumers. These efforts not only elevated the organization’s offerings but also expanded its global reach, contributing to an average growth rate of 12.5% in recent years.
In addition to modernizing educational delivery, Petras championed initiatives that supported professionals at every stage of their career. The institute awarded over $1 million in scholarships, partnered with industry experts to enrich its curriculum, and developed award-winning training programs for both new and seasoned travel advisors. Her focus on building a strong internal team, which she considers her greatest accomplishment, ensured the organization could deliver consistent value to the travel community.
“Diane’s contributions to The Travel Institute cannot be overstated. She’s taken both The Travel Institute—and our entire industry—to a higher level,” asserted Gary Pollard, CTC, chair of The Travel Institute Board of Directors; president and CEO, Ambassador Tours. “Her passion for quality education has inspired countless agents and organizations to prioritize education and become true travel professionals who embrace selling travel and offer greater value through a comprehensive business model. She’ll be missed both professionally and personally by her team and the board, as well as by leaders and advisors throughout the industry,” continued Pollard, a board member since 2008.
As the search for Petras’ successor gets underway, David Chait, CTIE, CEO and Founder, Travefy, Inc. and an executive committee board member for The Travel Institute, said the education leader is primed to further elevate its industry impact with affordable, accessible education that empowers new agents, sharpens seasoned professionals, and strengthens the industry as a whole.
“The board has every confidence The Travel Institute’s 60+-year foundation of success and ongoing momentum will continue,” Chait said, citing an extraordinary 12.5% average growth rate in recent years while also emphasizing, “We’ve got an experienced, accomplished group with our collective sleeves rolled up on multiple initiatives already well underway. Together, we’ll continue to drive educational excellence at every level in support of individual professionalism and broader industry success.”
Along with Pollard and Chait, The Travel Institute Board’s Executive Committee also includes Evan McElligott, CTA, President, Longer Vacations. The full board includes:
- Rick Baron, CTC, former Managing Director, Global Sales, Tauck, Inc.
- Laurie Bohn-Isaure, CTIE, Senior Director, National Accounts, Silversea Cruises, Ltd.
- Drew Daly, CTIE, Senior Vice President & General Manager – WTH/Dream Vacations
- Jackie Friedman, CTIE, President, Nexion Travel Group
- Rick Meadows, CTC, former President, Seabourn Cruise Line
- Alex Pinelo, CTC, Chief Sales Officer for AmaWaterways
- Jill Romano, CTIE candidate, Owner, Dimensions in Travel
To further ensure a smooth leadership transition, Petras will be available to The Travel Institute as needed in a consulting capacity into 2026.
Petras started in the retail travel industry in 1986 as an agent. Her career also includes corporate travel and agency ownership experience in addition to being a producer for travel industry training events and a developer and marketer of travel software with TRAMS and Sabre. Petras has also served on the Ritz-Carlton Advisory Board and various community association boards.
