What inspired you to pursue a career in travel and tourism? Was there a defining moment?
My fascination with travel started when I was very young. I remember watching National Geographic and being completely absorbed by archaeologists uncovering ancient relics, learning about civilizations, and discovering how people lived thousands of years ago.
What fascinated me most was realizing how much of the world existed beyond what I knew personally. I wanted to understand different cultures, histories, traditions, and the stories behind the places people call home.
I have always had an insatiable appetite for learning, and travel became a natural extension of that curiosity. To me, travel is not simply about seeing a destination. It is about understanding a place—its history, its people, its culture, and how all of those things shaped what it is today.
I do not think there was one single defining destination for me. It was more of a realization, beginning very early in my life, that the world was enormous, layered, and endlessly interesting—and I wanted to spend my life learning more about it. Eventually, that curiosity became a career in travel.
Can you share a moment in your career when you realized, “This is exactly what I’m meant to do”?
After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, I never imagined that travel would become my career. I was at a point in my life when I was open to new opportunities, and almost unexpectedly, an opportunity in the travel industry came my way. I wasn’t even sure I had the right background for it, but I took a chance—and someone took a chance on me.
What began as an opportunity gradually became something much more meaningful. I spent several years learning the industry, building relationships with clients, and discovering how much I enjoyed helping people experience the world.
My entrepreneurial side eventually led me to open my own travel agency, which gave me the opportunity to experience the industry from a completely different perspective. That chapter taught me a great deal about business, about travel, and especially about where I do my best work.
When I returned to the company where my travel career had originally begun, I came back with a different level of experience and perspective. Being welcomed back made me appreciate both the profession and the path that had brought me there in an entirely new way.
That was my moment of realization: the first time, travel found me. The second time, I chose it.
Sometimes the career you are meant for isn’t necessarily the one you planned—it is the one you recognize, with experience and perspective, is where you truly want to be.
How has your journey evolved since graduating from The Travel Institute?
Since graduating from The Travel Institute, my journey has evolved most in the confidence and intention I bring to my work. Earning my CTA helped me see the years of experience I had already built in a new way—not simply as time in the industry, but as knowledge and expertise I had earned.
That shift changed how I work with clients. I became more confident in my recommendations, more thoughtful in the questions I ask, and more comfortable standing behind my professional judgment. I no longer second-guess whether I belong in this profession; I feel much more grounded in the value I bring.
Graduating also motivated me to continue investing in my education, which led me to earn my Luxury Travel Specialist credential. Instead of seeing education as something you complete once, I now see professional development as an ongoing part of becoming a stronger advisor.
So my journey since graduating has really been about moving from experience to confidence, and from confidence to continued growth. I know this is the profession I have chosen, and I am much more intentional now about continuing to learn, evolve, and become better at what I do.
What’s your favorite part about helping others experience the world through travel?
My favorite part is seeing what travel brings out in people. Clients often come to me with something they are genuinely looking forward to—a celebration, a long-awaited trip, or the chance to experience somewhere new. There is something very rewarding about being part of that from the beginning.
Having worked in other industries, I have come to appreciate how unique that is. Travel often starts from a place of possibility, and I get to help turn that possibility into something real while taking away some of the stress that comes with planning.
I approach each trip as if I were planning it for someone in my own family. I want to understand what matters to them, look out for the details, and recommend something I would feel comfortable suggesting to someone I truly care about. That creates a connection that goes beyond simply making a reservation.
What means the most to me is knowing that, in some small way, I helped make an experience possible that may become part of someone’s lasting memories. Being trusted with something that meaningful is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What’s one cultural experience that left a lasting impression on you?
One cultural experience that left a lasting impression on me was adapting to American culture after growing up on the other side of the world. It made me much more aware of how differently people communicate, celebrate, and experience everyday life.
At first, it was the differences that stood out to me. But over time—and especially as I traveled more—I began to notice something deeper. Beneath the customs, traditions, and different ways of life, people are often looking for many of the same things: connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
That experience changed the way I see culture. It taught me to appreciate what makes us different, while also reminding me that, in many ways, we are far more alike than we think.
What skills from The Travel Institute have made the biggest impact in your career?
The skills that have made the biggest impact in my career are intentional listening, consultative questioning, and having the confidence to make thoughtful recommendations.
The Travel Institute helped me understand the difference between simply hearing what a client says and really listening for what they mean. A client may tell me where they want to go, but the right questions often reveal what they actually want from the experience—how they want to feel, what matters most to them, and what would make the trip meaningful.
That understanding has also made me more confident in my recommendations. I am not just presenting options; I am using what I have learned about the client to guide them toward what I genuinely believe is the best fit. That combination of listening, thoughtful questioning, and confident guidance has had the greatest impact on the way I work as a travel advisor.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their travel industry journey?
My advice would be two things: don’t be too hard on yourself, and focus on building strong relationships with your clients.
You are not expected to know everything all at once. Travel is constantly changing, and even experienced advisors continue learning. Part of being a professional is knowing when to say, **“Let me verify that so I can give you the most accurate information.”** That builds credibility because clients know you are committed to giving them thoughtful, reliable guidance.
Just as important, approach every client relationship as more than a booking. Listen carefully, understand what matters to them, and build trust over time. The strongest client relationships often extend far beyond one trip.
Expertise is built through experience, continued learning, and the relationships you develop along the way. Stay curious, keep growing, and always remember that your role is not simply to book travel—it is to guide people with confidence and care.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in an industry that’s constantly changing?
What keeps me motivated is actually the fact that the travel industry never stays the same. There is always a new destination to learn about, a new product, a new trend, or a different way to serve a client better.
I’ve always had a strong curiosity and love of learning, so change keeps me engaged. It reminds me that there is always room to grow, no matter how long you have been in the industry.
I also stay inspired by my clients. Every traveler is different, and every trip gives me an opportunity to learn something new, solve a different challenge, or introduce someone to an experience they may never have considered before.
For me, staying motivated comes down to staying curious. The industry keeps evolving, and I want to evolve with it.
Are there any mentors or peers in the industry who’ve deeply influenced your path?
I’ve been deeply influenced by the travel advisors, managers, and leaders I’ve worked with throughout my career. Many of them have spent decades in the industry, and what has always impressed me is that they still genuinely enjoy what they do.
Seeing that kind of longevity showed me that travel can be more than a job—it can be a career you continue to grow in, learn from, and remain passionate about. I’ve learned a great deal simply by watching how they work, how they build relationships with clients, and how they continue to adapt as the industry changes.
Their example has helped shape the kind of travel professional I want to be.
If you could only pack 3 items for a trip around the world, what would they be?
Only three? That’s tough. If my husband and son counted as items, I’d already be down to just one—and honestly, I’d be perfectly happy with that because they’re my favorite people to travel with.
First, a really comfortable pair of shoes. I learned that lesson the hard way in Lisbon! Second, a versatile jacket that I can layer, because the weather can change quickly when you’re traveling from place to place.
And third, a real camera—not just my phone. I love being able to slow down, notice the details, and capture the moments and places I want to remember long after the trip is over.
Passport and phone are a given. Those don’t count!
What’s one place on your travel bucket list that you haven’t crossed off yet?
I still have a very long list—we might be here forever if I started naming them all! But if I had to choose one, the Galápagos Islands would be very high on my list.
would love to experience a place where nature still feels so extraordinary and untouched, and to see the wildlife in its natural environment rather than through a screen or photograph. There is something fascinating to me about exploring a place with such a unique story, landscape, and ecosystem.
For me, the Galápagos represents the kind of travel I love most: curiosity, discovery, and the chance to experience something that can completely change the way you see the world.
