Driving smarter corporate travel with AI and behavioral science.
Mission
We believe business travel should inspire progress-purposeful, efficient, and aligned with what truly matters.
Our vision is to transform travel from a compliance obligation into a competitive advantage by helping companies move boldly, responsibly, and intelligently
We believe business travel should inspire progress-purposeful, efficient, and aligned with what truly matters.
Our vision is to transform travel from a compliance obligation into a competitive advantage by helping companies move boldly, responsibly, and intelligently
Vision
To revolutionize how enterprises travel- unlocking smarter, more sustainable journeys by harnessing the power of generative AI.
We don’t just reduce cost, carbon, and complexity-we elevate every trip into a strategic driver of purpose and performance
To revolutionize how enterprises travel- unlocking smarter, more sustainable journeys by harnessing the power of generative AI.
We don’t just reduce cost, carbon, and complexity-we elevate every trip into a strategic driver of purpose and performance
Vision
Mission
Karen Hutchings
Co-Founder & CEO
Karen Hutchings is a
globally recognised
leader in corporate travel,
meetings and events, best known for her 11+ years as Global Head of Travel, Meetings & Events at EY where she transformed the programme through innovation, sustainability initiatives, and technology adoption. Prior to EY, Karen held senior global travel leadership roles at AIG, Citi, and Merrill Lynch, building a strong reputation for driving strategic change and operational excellence. Named BTN’s Travel Manager of the Year twice, inducted into the Business Travel Hall of Fame, and honoured with a lifetime achievement award by GBTA WINiT, Karen has been celebrated as one of the industry’s most influential figures.
“Throughout my career I have embraced innovation, challenged the status quo, and led diverse multi-country teams to deliver global impact. I believe in nurturing talent and mentoring future leaders, ensuring the industry continues to evolve with creativity and purpose.”
Team
Kessie Bratko
Co-Founder & CMO
Kessie Bratko is a seasoned leader in corporate travel and Life Sciences, best known for her tenure as Senior Vice President at BCD Travel, where she led the Global Client Team and Life Sciences Center of Excellence and oversaw Fortune 500 global client programs. Under her leadership, she launched Centricity, a first-of-its-kind patient solutions brand for the travel space and pioneered progressive program management models that reshaped how global clients approached digital transformation, traveler engagement, payment and distribution strategy.
Throughout her career, Kessie has been recognized for her ability to design scalable solutions that balance cost savings with the employee experience. She has partnered with clients building trusted relationships and helping highly regulated industries navigate the complexities of global travel.
“Travel has always been about more than moving people from one place to another, it’s about building connections, enabling innovation, and creating opportunities. My passion is working alongside clients to solve complex challenges with creativity, empathy, and purpose, and with Pioneera, I’m excited to help reimagine the future of business travel.”
Our Story
Pioneera was founded by Karen Hutchings and Kessie Bratko, two leaders in the corporate travel industry. They saw an opportunity to leverage AI and behavioral insights to drive smarter travel decisions. Today, Pioneera helps organizations realize strategic objectives more efficiently, delivering measurable improvements in compliance, cost control, and sustainability.
Pioneera was founded by Karen Hutchings and Kessie Bratko, two leaders in the corporate travel industry. They saw an opportunity to leverage AI and behavioral insights to drive smarter travel decisions. Today, Pioneera helps organizations realize strategic objectives more efficiently, delivering measurable improvements in compliance, cost control, and sustainability.
Our Story
Team
Karen Hutchings
Co-Founder & CEO
Karen Hutchings is a globally recognised leader in corporate travel, meetings and events, best known for her 11+ years as Global Head of Travel, Meetings & Events at EY where she transformed the programme through innovation, sustainability initiatives, and technology adoption. Prior to EY, Karen held senior global travel leadership roles at AIG, Citi, and Merrill Lynch, building a strong reputation for driving strategic change and operational excellence. Named BTN’s Travel Manager of the Year twice, inducted into the Business Travel Hall of Fame, and honoured with a lifetime achievement award by GBTA WINiT, Karen has been celebrated as one of the industry’s most influential figures.
“Throughout my career I have embraced innovation, challenged the status quo, and led diverse multi-country teams to deliver global impact. I believe in nurturing talent and mentoring future leaders, ensuring the industry continues to evolve with creativity and purpose.”
Kessie Bratko
Co-Founder & CMO
Kessie Bratko is a seasoned leader in corporate travel and Life Sciences, best known for her tenure as Senior Vice President at BCD Travel, where she led the Global Client Team and Life Sciences Center of Excellence and oversaw Fortune 500 global client programs. Under her leadership, she launched Centricity, a first-of-its-kind patient solutions brand for the travel space and pioneered progressive program management models that reshaped how global clients approached digital transformation, traveler engagement, payment and distribution strategy.
Throughout her career, Kessie has been recognized for her ability to design scalable solutions that balance cost savings with the employee experience. She has partnered with clients building trusted relationships and helping highly regulated industries navigate the complexities of global travel.
“Travel has always been about more than moving people from one place to another, it’s about building connections, enabling innovation, and creating opportunities. My passion is working alongside clients to solve complex challenges with creativity, empathy, and purpose, and with Pioneera, I’m excited to help reimagine the future of business travel.”
