Specialties
Regions: East Africa, Southern Africa, Arctic
Travel Types: Luxury Travel, Adventure Travel, Active Travel, Family & Multi-Generational Travel, Kilimanjaro Treks, Romance & Honeymoon Travel, Primate Treks, Safaris, Mobile Safaris, Special Celebrations
Special Interests: Beach, City Tours, Conservation, History & Culture, Food & Wine, Eco-Tourism, Expedition Travel, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography
Destinations Visited
Africa: South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania (Zanzibar), Rwanda
Latin America: Ecuador (Galapagos Islands), Chile
Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar
Additional Countries: Japan, Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, The Netherlands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic
Why I’m a Travel Consultant
I love taking someone’s ideas for a trip and transforming them into a fabulous adventure. My goal is to include unique options in an itinerary that the client wouldn’t necessarily have thought of on their own. There is so much culture and beauty out there in the world to experience and I love making it possible for my clients to take it all in.
Education
BA in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and BA in Psychology, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Career History
I began working at Travel Beyond when I was 16 years old as an Intern. I worked here throughout high school and college, before returning full time shortly after graduation. I also held the positions of Travel Producer and Travel Manager before becoming a Travel Consultant. During my time at the University of Minnesota, I also worked on research projects for the Educational Psychology department and with children with developmental disorders – another passion of mine.
Professional Awards & Accomplishments
- Travel Agent magazine “30 Under 30” Recipient – 2014
Where I’ve Lived Abroad
Siena, Italy
Most Memorable Travel Experience
Visiting the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. I have been wanting to do this for a decade and finally had the opportunity. In addition to those 10 years of anticipation, the couple hours it takes to locate the gorilla family during the trek only increased my adrenaline and excitement. The hour I got to spend with them in their natural habitat was totally surreal. I’m unsure if I’ll ever be able to top this experience.
Most Recent Trip
In February 2025, I went on safari in Kenya and ended with a beach visit in Zanzibar. I love traveling to Kenya at this time of year; it’s a great time to be on safari and also a great time to be away from the Minnesota winter! The areas we visited got rain a couple weeks beforehand, so a lot of the landscape was brightened up with green grasses and more water resources for the animals. One reason why I love Kenya is the variety of activities you can enjoy on safari. Some favorite experiences on this trip were learning about the dogs that protect wildlife in the Segera Conservancy and tracking rhinos on foot in the Borana Conservancy. As always when visiting Kenya, the trip isn’t complete without a stay in the Masai Mara. I loved my visit to Mara Nyika. The entire team here brightened each day for me, plus the animal viewing was fantastic. I even got to see a baby hippo who had been born 30 minutes earlier!
Zanzibar is a beautiful island; the highlight of my time here was at Xanadu. It was the perfect blend of stunning accommodations, incredible service, relaxation, and adventure (snorkeling!).
Recommended Right Now
I recommend an experience that pushes you a bit out of your comfort zone. The number of fascinating opportunities to do this are endless – whether it be a hike to see the chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, an up-close encounter with elephants in a hide at Ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya, or a raw cultural experience in Cape Town, South Africa. These are the type of moments that have created everlasting memories for me, and I know the same would be true for my clients.
Favorite Properties
In no particular order:
Greystoke Mahale
Mahale Mountain National Park, Tanzania
This camp is unique in every aspect of the word! After flying a few hours to the western portion of Tanzania, I then took a boat on to reach Greystoke Mahale. This area is most known for the opportunity to go chimpanzee trekking, which is such an amazing experience. Depending on the time of year, the chimps can take a few hours to reach, but it is so worth it to get up-close to these creatures. The camp is located right up on a beach, so there are also a lot of water-based activities on offer, plus the opportunity to chill on the beach after seeing the chimpanzees in the morning!
Singita’s Lebombo Lodge & Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni are stunning 5* sister properties with exceptional animal viewing opportunities. They offer very different style from one another, but are both held to the service standards that the Singita portfolio is known for. When I recently visited this area, I was most taken aback by the striking landscape of this area. I’ll remember our sundowner location here for years to come!
Segera Retreat
Laikipia, Kenya
I was blown away from start to finish during my stay at Segera Retreat. Located to the north of Nairobi in Laikipia, this property as it all. The property focuses on luxurious accommodation, strong attention to detail, wellness, art, conservation, and more! There are art instillations throughout the property, making it a very unique environment. Each room feels different than the next, so there is always the “right fit” for any traveler. The animal viewing here is strong, with private activities, meaning you can truly customize your stay. A highlight is visiting the dogs who protect the animals within the conservancy. It is so interesting to learn about the techniques used and to see the dogs in action!
La Residence Franshhoek
Franschhoek, South Africa
Talk about a fun property in a beautiful setting! This property is a part of The Royal Portfolio brand (which has some more incredible properties throughout South Africa) and offers a unique vibe in the Winelands of South Africa. From the moment I stepped foot inside the main building, I was intrigued by the bright colors and hip style that they put forth. Each room is individually decorated and just so fun. I think it’s a wonderful option for honeymooners out in the Winelands looking for modern accommodations!
Lewa Wilderness
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to incredible animal viewing, with a good chance of seeing the Big 5 during your stay. With Mt. Kenya as the backdrop, this area is very scenic and offers a huge variety of activities. While traditional game drives are still a must, I love the diversity of experience and always take part in at least a few different options like walking safaris, horseback riding, and learning more about conservation efforts from the team at the Conservancy Headquarters. If you’re looking for even more adventure, they also offer a unique fly camping experience.
Jack’s Camp
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
Jack’s Camp is located in such a unique area of Botswana. The Makgadikgadi feels dramatically different than the Okavango Delta, the region that most people picture when thinking of Botswana. A highlight at Jack’s Camp is seeing the habituated meerkats, who spend their time chasing each other around, checking you out, and eventually using you as a vantage point to examine their environment. I also really enjoy the San Bushmen experience – going out on a walk to learn more about their traditions.