Laurana April-Ford, B.A.
Laurana April-Ford, B.A. is a highly experienced federal and military travel professional, currently serving at Amex GBT, where she specializes in booking and managing Department of Defense travel. She primarily supports Navy travelers, handling permanent change of station (PCS) and temporary duty (TDY) bookings, ticket changes and exchanges, and providing traveler support via online booking tools, phone, and chat. With over 30 years of experience in federal travel, Laurana brings a deep understanding of government travel operations and a proven ability to ensure seamless, efficient travel arrangements for large-scale personnel movements. Throughout her career, Laurana has demonstrated a consistent focus on operational excellence, strategic program management, and client partnership. She began in 2000 in a customer-facing booking role and quickly progressed into management, program, and account management positions. She has led the implementation of end-to-end online booking tools for major government agencies, integrating authorizations, bookings, and expense reporting into cohesive systems. Her professional philosophy emphasizes integrity, practical problem-solving, and the recognition that government and military travel often requires careful human judgment to navigate complex situations. Committed to continuous professional growth, Laurana recently completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at Strayer University, building on an earlier Associate of Arts and Sciences and her foundational studies in business administration at Robert Morris University in Chicago. Her educational achievements complement her extensive industry experience, reinforcing her expertise in acquisition and contract management, government program oversight, and travel operations. Laurana’s dedication to reliable, human-centered service and her decades of experience make her a trusted leader in federal and military travel management.
• Robert Morris University - Illinois
Diploma, Business Administration and Management, General
• Strayer University - BBA, Acquisition and Contract Management
What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes her success to perseverance and a drive to push, reach and try despite fear—combined with a desire to model possibility for younger people.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Her sister encouraged her to pursue further education (specifically to consider a master's), urging her to continue learning: 'Yes, you do.'
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
"Do it scared" take action, pursue education, and model what success looks like for the next generation.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
She points to government hiring freezes and procurement constraints, the inherent complexity of travel that still requires human intervention, and the conflict-of-interest limits that can make entrepreneurship difficult for government contractors.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family, integrity (following rules and avoiding conflicts of interest), persistence, continuous learning, and mentoring others.