I’ve had a front-row seat to the beauty of multiculturalism through my experiences, the most glaring being my marriage to an immigrant from a country that no longer exists but whose rich culture has deeply influenced my life. Sharing in that culture while raising my children has been an incredible journey. My love for travel ignited in high school when my best friend’s family introduced me to the world beyond my hometown. Our trips to Mexico and Aruba awakened a hunger for exploration that has only grown since. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to breathtaking places like Ubud, Bali, the serene Po Lin Monastery in Hong Kong and various popular spots in Mexico. I’ve explored 28 states across the US, including Alaska and Maui, as well as Italy and Croatia — each destination leaving a lasting impression. And, not unlike most of us, my journey has allowed me to wear several hats throughout the decades — daughter, wife, mother, graduate student, research administrator, nonprofit leader, yoga instructor... I even shoveled horse manure for money! I’ve loved fiercely, faced painful losses and experienced both the highs and lows of life. And each of these personal experiences deepened my appreciation for the diversity of people, cultures and garnered respect for each of the unique paths we are on. I believe that travel is about connection — both with the places I explore and the people I meet along the way. So I took the leap to help create a community of explorers, dreamers and supporters through my partnership with FORA. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!