Her Story
About Audrey
Audrey Yates serves as Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, where she leads the sales team for a loyalty program dedicated to supporting independent boutique and upscale hotels. With 24 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Yates has developed a comprehensive understanding of the travel ecosystem, including customer service, operations, corporate travel, hotel partnerships, and contract relationships. She began her career as a gate agent with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air in Seattle, an experience that provided extensive exposure to the travel industry and opportunities to travel.
In 2007, Yates transitioned into corporate travel with Expeditors, a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, where she gained broader insight into corporate travel management and the interconnected relationships among airlines, hotels, travelers, and contracts. She joined Stash Hotel Rewards in December 2011 as a part-time customer service representative while returning to the workforce as a new mother. Over the years, she progressed through increasingly senior roles in member support, operations, and customer service, taking on a variety of responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, she transitioned to the Hotel Partnerships team and subsequently advanced into leadership, becoming Vice President of Hotel Partnerships in January 2024.
Throughout her career at Stash Hotel Rewards, Yates has focused on developing strong relationships with hotel partners and contributing to the growth of independent hospitality businesses. She regularly represents the company at industry events and engages with hotel owners, operators, and hospitality professionals to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities within the independent hotel sector. Yates attributes her professional success to believing in herself, trusting the people around her, and recognizing the purpose behind her work. Her combination of travel industry experience, relationship-building skills, and commitment to independent hospitality continues to shape her leadership approach.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Audrey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to believing in myself, trusting the people around me, and recognizing that I am where I am for a reason. Throughout my career, I have learned to have confidence in my abilities, value the support and expertise of those around me, and remain grounded in a sense of purpose. These principles have helped me navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to stay aligned with the company’s goals while maintaining strong, genuine relationships with the people around me. Understanding the organization’s priorities helps me contribute effectively and remain focused on shared objectives, while building strong relationships creates trust, collaboration, and opportunities for long-term success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the industry to think of sales not simply as selling, but as an opportunity to serve others, solve problems, and add genuine value. Success does not always require a traditional educational background; curiosity, determination, relationship-building, and a willingness to learn can be equally valuable. Most importantly, I would encourage them to take a leap, trust themselves, embrace opportunities, and have the confidence to pursue possibilities that may initially feel outside their comfort zone.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, respect, and loyalty. I believe trust is the foundation of strong relationships, respect creates an environment where people feel valued and heard, and loyalty builds lasting connections and commitment. I strive to demonstrate these values in how I work with others, build partnerships, and approach every relationship with integrity and consistency.
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