Meet the Host!

Sahara Rose De Vore

CEO & Founder of The Travel Coach Network

Sahara Rose De Vore is the Founder and CEO of The Travel Coach Network, a global community of travel coaches. Sahara went from broke college student to traveling to 84 countries solo to trailblazing a new path in the travel industry. She believes that there is more to a travel career than just blogging and booking trips and that the travel planning process is more than just a transaction. This led her to creating the world's first and only ICF accredited certification program for travel coaches. Sahara is a published author, global speaker, TEDx speaker, and has been in over 200 media outlets for her travel and business expertise including Forbes, Travel Weekly, Conde Nast Traveler, and CNN Travel. Sahara was also named one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by TravelPulse and will be appearing on Season 8 of Project Pitch It.

Sahara organized the first ever Women Thrive Through Travel MasterFind Virtual Event in 2021,a rough time in the tourism industry, to bring more positivity into how we were talking and thinking about the future of travel. WTTT brings together inspiring women in tourism, hospitality, wellness, journalism, media, social media, business, and more while striving to inspire and empower women around the world to thrive through travel in business, wellness, and lifestyle.

Connect with Sahara Rose @thetravelcoachnetwork

Shanell Varner

Luxury & Wellness Travel Consultant at Moonglade Travel, LLC

Shanell Varner is a curator of unforgettable experiences and a connoisseur of wanderlust. Growing up taking road trips throughout the East Coast, she’s always had a deep-seated love for travel, and it grew deeper during a life-changing trip to Africa in 2007. As Luxury & Wellness Travel Advisor and the Founder of Moonglade Travel, Shanell has been orchestrating dream vacations since 2016, specializing in romantics getaways, solo travel and women’s wellness retreats. Shanell’s expertise has graced the pages of SouthPark Magazine, Recommend Magazine, and other esteemed publications, solidifying her reputation as a go-to travel guru. Her latest passion project, "With Love, From Travel!", is a captivating travel reflection journal that captures the essence of her adventures and inspires others to embark on their own. When she’s not globe-trotting or crafting bespoke itineraries for her clients, Shanell can be found binge-watching crime shows, outside exploring nature, or somewhere on a yoga mat.

Topic: How Stepping out of our comfort zones and immersing ourselves in new cultures can rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits

Topic description:

Join us for a captivating session on the transformative power of travel. Join Shanell Varner, a passionate traveler and luxury travel advisor, as she shares personal stories, client tales, and fascinating insights into the rejuvenating essence of travel. Discover the joys of stepping outside of our comfort zones, breaking boundaries, and immersing ourselves in new cultures. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just starting your journey, this session will inspire you to embrace the magic of travel and embark on your own path of self-discovery. Get ready to unlock new perspectives, create unforgettable memories, and awaken the true wanderlust spirit within you!

 Connect with Shanell @wheresshanell

Colleen O'Neill Mulvihill

Wellness Travel Coach at Holistic Health Traveler, LLC.

Colleen O'Neill Mulvihill spent 30 years as a career firefighter, where she developed a passion for holistic health, wellness, and nutrition. She became a trusted colleague during that time, often coaching other firefighters toward healthier habits. In her mid-forties, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and later developed a natural healing plan to recover her immune system.  After retirement, she continued coaching and developed a passion for traveling. Combining her two loves, she now coaches on natural healing from autoimmune disease and all things wellness travel. Her mission is to help women find their mind, body, and soul connection naturally so they can live beyond their diagnosis.   

Topic: Lifestyle Medicine Travel: How Women Can Use Wellness Travel as a Path to Healing Autoimmune Disease

Topic description:

Colleen has developed a four-part natural healing plan that includes wellness travel as a path toward immune system recovery. In this talk, she'll discuss how wellness travel fits into her plan and how she guides her clients in discovering which type of wellness travel is right for them. 

Connect with Colleen @holistichealthtraveler and @the_mindbodysoulcoach

Linda G. Robert

Back in the Groove Again Coach

Linda G. Robert, known as the Back in The Groove Again Coach started traveling by herself in her 50s, feeling a bit nervous at first. She wasn't very confident and didn't know much about traveling alone. But as she kept going, she got better at it and started to really enjoy it.

Seeing how much she learned about herself from traveling, Linda decided to use her experience to help others. She combined her skills in coaching with her love for travel, focusing on helping the want to be solo travelers and those going through transitions.

Topic: How women 50+ can get back in the groove again by taking a trip

Topic description:

In this short presentation, I'll explore how solo travel can be a transformative experience for women, offering them a unique pathway to regain their confidence, independence, and sense of self, thus helping them to get back in their groove again.

Connect with Linda @backinthegrooveagain

Christine Winebrenner Irick

Founder, Lotus Sojourns & Host, Soul of Travel Podcast

Christine Winebrenner Irick is the founder of Lotus Sojourns and host of the award-winning Soul of Travel podcast. She was recognized as one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by Travel Pulse and a Game Changer: Women Entrepreneurs Disrupting the Travel & Hospitality Industry.  Lotus Sojourns is a mindful adventure travel company offering journeys designed to support local social impact projects or gender equity initiatives. Her company supports the SDGs related to gender equality, quality education, climate action, and good health and well-being.

Christine's Soul of Travel Podcast is a powerful platform for women travel leaders to share compelling travel stories and what it takes to bring our creative visions to life as we live with purpose, chase dreams, and build businesses to make the world a better place. Wanderful recognized her work in 2022, awarding her the Bessie Award for a brand that has gone above and beyond to support, empower, and represent women in the past year.  

Christine is a girl mom, book lover, and yogi who loves deep, meaningful connections and conversations and creating community for women.

Topic: Creating “Outside the Box” Businesses that Align with your Values

Topic Description:

Drawing from the nearly 200 conversations Christine has had with her Soul of Travel guests over the past five seasons, she’ll share the ways she and her guests have stepped outside the box to create businesses that honor their personal values.  You’ll walk away from this session with tools to understand your travel and business values, permission to create a business of your dreams and inspiration from others who have already started down this path.

Connect with Christine @she.sojourns @lotussojourns @souloftravelpodcast

Katrina McGhee

Career Break Coach

Katrina McGhee is a career break and sabbatical coach, speaker and author of the bestselling book, Taking a Career Break for Dummies. Katrina developed the Break Blueprint©️, a guiding framework she's used to help nearly 100 clients rejuvenate their lives by taking a break to travel the world, launch a business, write a novel, change careers and more. Her work was inspired by her own 20-month career break where she saved $40,000 in just 18 months to quit her corporate job to travel the world. As an avid world traveler and digital nomad, her expertise on career breaks and travel has been featured in prestigious outlets such as NBC, Forbes, Smarter Travel, Thrive Global, and Yahoo.

Topic: How to Take a Travel-Based Career Break or Sabbatical

Topic description:

A career break gives you more time to explore the world. It can also be the gateway to a transformative travel experience. If want to create more space and time to see the world, but struggle with how to make it happen, Katrina's story will inspire you. You'll discover Katrina's Break Blueprint©️ framework that she's used to support nearly 100 clients on their own career breaks and sabbaticals, so you can create a regret-proof travel break. Katrina will also share how her work as a career break coach led to a book deal with a major publisher to write Taking a Career Break for Dummies. 

Connect with Katrina @kmcgheecoaching

Aurelie Krau

Founder of The Nomad Hours 

Aurélie is well known for her digital nomad lifestyle, her public speaking appearances and for driving change in the Travel ecosystem and in the way we work. Throughout her career, she has strategically utilised her personal brand to create opportunities in public speaking and in consulting. She founded #THRIVE, a programme to help entrepreneurs BE SEEN for their passion. She has 13 years experience advising Fortune 500 companies in the rollout of their travel technology products. She enjoys exploring how organizations can blend the physical and digital worlds to drive better business outcomes. Aurélie was listed by the Buying Business Travel Hotlist in 2023 for her championing of 'Working From Anywhere' and as “One to Watch” back in 2016.

Topic: Unlocking Professional Success: The Power of Personal Branding and Thought Leadership for a Travel Business

Topic description:

Did you know that YOU are a brand? In this engaging and empowering educational session, we will unlock the keys to professional success as a Travel Business. Join us as we unlock the keys to success as a Travel Business. Drawing from her 14 years of experience in the travel industry and a proven track record of successful awareness campaigns and public speaking engagements, Aurélie will guide you through the power of Personal Branding and Thought Leadership. Discover how a strong identity and an effective engagement strategy can amplify your visibility and connections. This session is designed to equip you with practical tips for maximizing your impact, raising awareness of your services, and facilitating key connections to help you land speaking gigs and collaborations, as an authority in your niche. Drawing from insights and strategies from the #THRIVE programme delivered by Aurélie, you'll gain valuable tools to ensure you stand out and make the most of every opportunity to shine and BE SEEN. 

Connect with @aureliekrau

Monica Nieuwland

Trauma Recovery Travel Coach

Meet Monica, a childhood trauma survivor whose life was profoundly changed by the healing power of travel. For many years, Monica struggled with the weight of her past, endlessly trapped in a cycle of anxiety and depression, until one day in an effort to finally escape the chaos, she booked a one way ticket to another country. Never did she think that she was about to embark on the most transformational healing journey of her life. Today Monica is a Trauma Recovery Travel Coach, dedicated to helping individuals navigate the path to recovery and master their post-trauma life through travel.  

Topic: How the Power of Travel transformed the life of a Trauma Survivor.

Topic Description:

I will share how travel can serve as a powerful tool for trauma survivors to heal, grow and reclaim their lives after experiencing adversity, since travel offers opportunity for self-development, connection and empowerment which are key for anyone wishing to achieve a personal transformation and relcam their joy.

Connect with Monica @monica.nieuwland

Federica Pozzi

Transformational & Grief Travel Coach at The WanderMandala

Federica, known as "The WanderMandala," is an Italian adventurer, Travel Coach, and advocate for transformative travel experiences. After the profound personal loss of her mom at the age of 23, Fede embarked on a solo road trip across Europe, exploring the places her mom had dreamed of visiting. This journey set her on a path of healing and self-discovery.

As a certified Transformational and Grief Travel Coach who has explored over 20 European countries, Fede offers psychological insight and practical travel expertise. Through tailored itineraries and coaching for people who have experienced loss or adversity, she transforms travel into a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery and meaningful change.

Topic: Beyond Borders: A Path to Healing and Growth Through Grief

Topic description:

 Imagine if travel could be the guide to rebuilding a life when the old one is no longer an option. After losing her mother at the age of 23, Federica embarked on a solo road trip to the north of France. Little did she know that 5 years later, this journey would lead her to live in 5 countries and forge a completely new path in life.

Through her experiences with grief and travel, Federica explores how travel helped her honor her mom, connect with herself, gain clarity, and find new perspectives on life's challenges. From the people she's met to the stories she's shared with strangers, discover how Fede's journey led her to become a travel coach, empowering others to cope with loss, overcome challenges, and find new purpose through transformative travel experiences.

Connect with Federica @thewandermandala

 Laura Peters

CEO of Scale Your Travel Blog

Laura Peters Abalos is the author of the popular travel blog, Mike & Laura Travel, the CEO of the #1-rated travel blogging course and coaching program, Scale Your Travel Blog, and the host of Travel Blogging Summits. Over the past 10 years, Laura has refined her marketing skills to not only create a profitable travel blog but also to help thousands of bloggers monetize their passions. Having generated over $1.3 million in her businesses in just 2.5 years, Laura's journey from traveler to entrepreneur and mentor is a beacon of inspiration in the digital nomad community.

Topic: How To Make Money As A Travel Blogger In 2024

Topic description:

Dive into the world of travel blogging with Laura Peters Abalos, an expert travel blogger and coach. Laura will guide you through the essential steps to monetize your passion for travel. From sharpening your SEO skills to mastering affiliate marketing and crafting emails that engage, you'll get the inside scoop on how to turn your blog into a revenue-generating platform.

Connect with Laura @mikeandlauratravelblog

Theresa ‘Akua” Powell

Founder & Co-Adventurer at Dream Catcher Global

Meet Akua, the visionary behind Dream Catcher Global.  Formerly, Deputy Chief of People & Performance at New York University, Abu Dhabi, Akua's journey to Founder & Co-Adventurer at Dream Catcher is nothing short of inspiring.

As a seasoned master coach and meditation teacher, Akua is deeply committed to guiding individuals on their path to personal transformation. Her extensive travels to over 80 countries have fueled her passion for experiences that transcend mere sightseeing, seeking instead to uncover deeper insights and personal growth opportunities.

Bestowed with the name "Akua" by a Ghanaian chief, symbolizing her role as a helper and leader, she channels this spirit into her mission at Dream Catcher. Through her platform, Akua empowers women to break through barriers, pursue their passions, and live authentically. Alongside her coaching program, Akua curates’ transformative journeys that inspire profound personal growth and empowerment.

Topic: From Fear to Freedom: Living Life on My Own Terms

Topic description:

Join me, Akua, for an inspiring journey: 'From Fear to Freedom: Living Life on My Own Terms.' Drawing from my own experiences, I'll share how I transitioned from the confines of fear to the freedom of living life on my own terms.

On my journey, I've discovered the power of unbecoming—shedding old beliefs and embracing new possibilities. Through transformative journeys and self-mastery practices, I've learned to reshape my relationship with fear, allowing me to step into entrepreneurship with courage and conviction.

From breaking societal and self-imposed barriers to embracing authenticity, I'll offer practical strategies that have empowered me and others to create change in their lives.

You’ll hear how my coaching program and transformational travel retreats serve as catalysts for personal growth and empowerment. Whether you're seeking the courage to take the next step or longing to embrace new adventures, I hope this talk will ignite your passion and inspire you.

Connect with Akua:

@travelicious2021 & @dreamcatcherjourneys

Laura Ericson

Founder and Travel Planner at Laura Ericson Group Trips

Laura Ericson is a professional traveler, content creator, writer, and entrepreneur from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and her work focuses on culturally immersive travel in off the beaten path destinations around the world such as Cuba, Morocco, and Colombia. Laura creates travel experiences and group trips that have a positive impact and give back to misrepresented countries along the way. Laura quit her 14-year career in higher education in 2021 so she could pursue her dreams and help other people get out there and see the world in a more authentic, intentional way.

Topic: How Group Trips Can Provide Transformational and Authentic Travel Experiences

Topic description: 

Studies have shown that people are increasingly wanting to have more authentic travel experiences and are using travel to transform their lives for the better. Learn how group travel planner Laura Ericson uses her group trips to create positive change with her travelers as well as the communities they visit around the world.

Connect with Laura: @lolawhiskey

Orly Corcos

Blind World Traveler

I was born with a degenerative eye condition, Stil I have true 2020 vision, and my blindness forces a mindful clarity through all my other senses, which enriches everything from my travels, my passion for cooking, and my service to others. I never let being blind hold me back from traveling the world. I overcame a serious Opiate addiction that almost took my life twice. I gained confidence and left an abusive relationship with 3 small children. Travel saved my life!

As a blind woman I have traveled extensively on my own, and have organized travel for others. Even if I don’t see through the physical eye, I see and experience so much of the world using all my other senses, including my  intuition and creativity. I find my experiences are deepened, giving me a multi sensory richness to all that I do and to all that I touch.

Even if I don’t see through the eyes, I see and experience so much of the world using my other senses, and intuition which makes my experiences richer. It’s our minds that limit us, and nothing else.I’m originally from Montreal in Canada, I have 3 grown children, and moved to the US in 2018.

I am a powerful woman leader, a talented chef, a champion athlete, and a successful motivational speaker. My name is Orly, which in Hebrew means “My Light”. That’s how I see myself – I Am Light and I Am Vision.

Topic: How I Traveled to Over 73 Countries and Destinations Blind

Description: 

Our limitations aren’t what we have faced along the way, nor is our perceived physical limitations what keeps us stuck or limited. It’s our minds that limit us, and nothing else. It’s truly our traumas that blind us, and our truth that lights the way.

I will offer support and guidance so others may realize that their perfect life vision is possible. my extensive experiences traveling all over the world as a blind person, my years of personal growth through travel, gaining long lasting self confidence, and my tremendous story of failure, addiction, abuse woven in with courage, resilience and recovery all compel me to inspire, to motivate, and to guide others in knowing that they to can live life with no limits.

Connect with Orly @theblindchef

Linda Bekoe

CEO and Founder of About Partners Luxury Brand Collection 

Linda Bekoe serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of About Partners Luxury Brands Collection (APLBC), a globally renowned representation company specializing in delivering unmatched representation services for hotels and apartments. APLBC is equally celebrated for its tailored consultancy services, accessible through its dedicated AP Gigs channel.

Over an illustrious 20-year career journey, Linda has amassed extensive expertise spanning global representation, boutique hotels, and prominent hotel brands. Her professional evolution has honed a distinctive skill set, fusing adept sales proficiency with operational excellence, all grounded in a deep-seated comprehension of client needs.

As a forward-thinking leader, Linda places paramount importance on continuous learning, for both herself and her dedicated team. Her profound passion for the travel industry is vividly demonstrated through her illustrious track record, having served as a Board Member at the Institute of Travel Management (ITM)

and as a Board Director at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). She actively fosters cross-industry relationships, exemplified by her close partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), where she previously co-led the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Committee for the Travel and Meetings Standards (TAMS) Community. Currently, she holds the prestigious role of Chair for the DEI committee at GBTA.

Linda’s exceptional contributions to the travel industry have recently culminated in her recognition as one of the Top 50 Women in Travel by WINiT by GBTA. Additionally, she was voted as one of the top hotlist individuals to watch out for in 2022 and was chosen as one of the top 100 companies recognized by the Beygood Foundation, further underscoring her significant impact and influence in the field.

Topic:The importance and impact of building relationships in business 

Connect with Linda at:

www.ap-lbc.com

Jennine Cohen

Co-Founder of Women Travel Leaders  

Transformational Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, Founder of Wild Blue Retreats

Jennine Cohen is a longtime travel industry leader and coach and is the Co-Founder of Women Travel Leaders, a professional association that helps top level women in the travel industry connect, learn, and grow. Frequently called upon as a media source, she has been quoted in Travel & Leisure, AFAR, National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, YahooTravel, Fortune, Forbes, Vox News, and others and was named a Forbes Changemaker.

Topic: Navigating your Life & Business by the Principles of Flow Consciousness 

Description:

While many top industry leaders believe busy is the key to success, navigating your business through the principles of Flow Consciousness can lead to more ease and more success in your travel coaching business and in your life. Learn the basic principles from industry leader and kite surfer Jennine Cohen on how to lead your business in a way that encourages ease and grace, reinspires you, brings back your vital lifeforce energy, and restokes your excitemnet for your business and your life. 

Connect with Jennine @jenninecohen and @womentravelleaders

Galit Ventura-Rozen

Co-Founder Everyday Woman TV,  Host of The Successful Woman's Mindset TV Show, Visibility Expert

Galit Ventura-Rozen is a 27 year entrepreneur owning multiple businesses. She is cofounder of Everyday Woman a women entrepreneur focused business that shows women how to be more visible through TV, Podcasts, Publications and more to attract their ideal clients.  She is the award recipient of Entrepreneur of the year by TMG Entertainment and has sold more than 700 million in commercial real estate as a commercial real estate broker.

Topic: Claiming Your Spotlight: The Power of Visibility for Women Entrepreneurs

Description:   

To do what you love in your business, people MUST know who you are.  Visibility is a huge part of success in your business and getting in front of your ideal client, I will share how being in publications, social media,on podcasts, on TV and more will level up your brand and build your business even more with consistent clients.

Connect with Galit @galitventurarozen