Payments
10 American Express partnerships leaders
These ten current and former American Express partnerships leaders have held vice president and director roles in strategic partnerships, international and network partnerships, strategic alliances, card partnerships and business development at the company. A reader can learn how partnerships leaders work at American Express from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Adrianna Karpinska
LinkedInExperience: Director of Strategic Partnerships - Retail, E-Com, Streaming · American Express
Director of Strategic Partnerships - Retail, E-Com, Streaming at American Express since 2024. Earlier American Express roles shown are Senior Manager, Membership Rewards Partnerships, US Consumer Services (2021–2024), Manager, E-Commerce Strategy & Industry Development (2018–2021) and Senior Analyst, B2B Development, Strategy, Products, and Partnerships (2017–2018).
Heather Cameron Watt
LinkedInExperience: Director - International Partnerships and Business Development · American Express
Director - International Partnerships and Business Development at American Express since 2023, after Senior Manager - International Partnerships and Business Development (2022–2023) and Senior Manager, Strategic Planning Group (2020–2022) there. Earlier roles shown are Consultant (2019–2020) and Senior Associate (2017–2019) at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Jerry Choi
LinkedInExperience: Director, Digital Partnership and Business Development · American Express
Director, Digital Partnership and Business Development at American Express since 2016; the profile headline cites business development and fintech partnership work. Earlier roles shown are Director, Samsung Pay and Samsung Wallet at Samsung Electronics (2013–2016) and Vice President, Business Development and Mobile Payment at SK Telecom (2001–2013).
Jesse Kramer
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Strategic Partnerships · American Express
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at American Express since 2024 and Director, Strategic Partnerships there since 2022, managing enterprise relationships with critical fintech partners, per the profile. Earlier American Express roles shown are Director, Product Management (2020–2022) and Senior Product Manager (2018–2020).
Jessica Sofian
LinkedInExperience: Director - Business Development · American Express
Director - Business Development at American Express since 2022, responsible for growing issuing and acquiring businesses in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East through strategic partnerships and the company's Middle East joint venture, per the profile. Earlier American Express roles shown are Senior Manager - Corporate Account Development (2016–2021) and investment planning roles (2014–2016).
Katrina Gonzalez
LinkedInExperience: Director - Global Cruise & Tour Strategic Partnerships · American Express
Former Director - Global Cruise & Tour Strategic Partnerships at American Express (2019–2023); the profile headline places the role at American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services. Earlier American Express roles shown are Sr. Manager - Global Cruise Partnerships (2006–2019) and senior manager roles in Membership Rewards and small business marketing (2001–2006).
Kumar Abhishek
LinkedInExperience: Director - Network Partnerships · American Express
Director - Network Partnerships at American Express since 2021, after Head - Network Partnerships there (2013–2021). Earlier roles shown are Product Manager at American Express (2010–2013) and Market Mapper at LG Electronics (2010). The profile describes experience across issuing, acquiring and network in the payments industry, and lists business development and P&L ownership.
Principia (Duggan) Burke
LinkedInExperience: Director, Small Business Card Partnerships · American Express
Director, Small Business Card Partnerships at American Express since 2025. Former Director, Enterprise Strategic Partnerships - Retail, Entertainment & Telecom there (2022–2025); earlier American Express roles shown are Senior Manager - US Cobrand & Lending Business Development (2021–2022) and chief of staff roles in lending and cobrand (2019–2021).
Sydney Lustberg
LinkedInExperience: Director, Strategic Alliances · American Express
Director, Strategic Alliances at American Express since 2026. Earlier American Express roles shown are Senior Manager, Business Development for Global Premium Products & Benefits, US Consumer Services (2023–2026), leading business development for premium card benefits per the profile, and Senior Manager, Merchant Products & Partnerships (2022–2023).
William Laccetti
LinkedInExperience: Director, Partnerships and Business Development · American Express
Director, Partnerships and Business Development at American Express since 2024, after Senior Manager, Partnerships and Business Development there (2021–2024). Earlier roles shown are Manager, International Market Expansion & Product Strategy (2020–2021) and Senior Financial Analyst, Global Investment Strategy & Analytics (2018–2020) at American Express, and Senior Advisory Consultant at EY (2016–2018).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's partnership area and region to your question, since the titles on this page cover different partner types such as merchants, fintechs, travel brands and network partners. Check each person's dates to see whether they still hold the role.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a card issuer and network decide which merchant, travel or fintech partners to build card benefits and offers with?
- 02What does a brand need to bring to a strategic partnership with American Express?
- 03How are partnership and business development teams organized across consumer, small business and international markets at a large card company?
Reaching American Express partnerships leaders
How can I contact one of these American Express partnerships leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: American Express, based on profile data retrieved on October 9, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach American Express partnerships leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these American Express partnerships leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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