I was born in NYC and lived in Queens until I was 8 when my parents and I moved to Central New Jersey. I don’t have any siblings, but I have more cousins than you can possibly imagine – I even recently learned about a distant cousin in Greece I never knew existed. Growing up, I was heavily involved in theater and dance all the way through college. I graduated with a B.A. in Communications and an M.A. in Political Science from American University. My first career was as a lobbyist, but I quit that after 10 years to stay home with my children. After awhile I got into meeting planning, working for a company contracted by the Disney Institute, and then decided to follow my true passion – travel, and formed One World Family Travel, in 2007. We moved to New Market in 2004 which was one of the best decisions we made for our family. Currently, I serve on the New Market Events Committee.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My daughter, Jordana, 24, is a graduate student in Applied Sociology at UMBC. She plans to go into research and policy in the healthcare space when she graduates in about a year. My son, Aaron is 21 and a student at Virginia Wesleyan University where he is in the Honors College and on the soccer team. He will graduate in December and hopes for a career in marketing. Jim and I have been married 30 years. He’s coached hundreds of local children in soccer over the years and is retired from the federal government. He is my biggest supporter in helping me grow my business.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve always been interested in travel, ever since my 6th grade social studies teacher in middle school, Mr. Galino, assigned us a project where we were given a budget and told to plan a trip – I chose Peru and Easter Island. I started actually thinking about being a travel advisor when my daughter was around 1 or 2, but decided to take the leap after both of my kids were in school full time 16 years ago and started One World Family Travel. LLC. It’s a career that comes naturally because it combines my planning and crisis management skills with my love of travel. I love the challenges of creating custom trips for my clients and showing them the world.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 2004. We used to live in Germantown and decided to explore the Frederick area when we realized we couldn’t afford a single-family home Montgomery County. We drove up to New Market on a whim one day and fell in love with the area immediately.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met so many interesting people – everyone has wonderful stories. But Ashly Wright is fascinating. She’s had an amazing career in the hospitality industry and has so many amazing ideas. And I admire how involved she is in the community – her compassion, love for the town, and love for her family are so inspirational.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be bold. Take the trip and travel with your children. Love one another.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
An expedition cruise to Antarctica and traveling to all 7 continents
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The small-town feel – how everyone knows and cares for each other. It reminds me of my hometown in New Jersey.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still creating dream vacations for people and traveling the world.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be a ballet dancer in my younger years.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I have been fortunate enough to visit many beautiful places, but I have to say it’s a toss up between Santorini, Greece and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I don’t have any particular favorite. I love any month between April and December. I love the changing of the seasons, hot weather, all the fall and winter holidays.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sunrise over the Masai Mara
Q: What person, event or experience has made the greatest impact or inspiration in your life?
I have met so many wonderful people and have been blessed with a great life. There is no way I could possibly pick one single person or event because I have been inspired by so many.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Can I choose 2? Both Rick Steves and Samantha Brown. Their travels are fascinating and they both seem so down to earth. We’d eat at Prospect Pantry and dine on amazing salmon bagels.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safe. Love. Comfort.
