Where are you based?

I live in Richmond, Vermont — it's a teensy village surrounded by the forests, rivers, and summits of the northern Green Mountains.

What topics and places do you cover?

Adventure, sustainability, and remote places are all passions for me, and reporting on those topics has taken me from the Balinese jungle to Vermont backcountry trails and Iceland's Westfjords. But I love deep dives into nearly any topic related to travel and culture: my favorite stories from the last year include an AFAR feature on desert island “castaways” and a feature for Virtuoso about a 500-year-old hammam that just reopened in Istanbul. Since I write frequently about sustainable travel for Virtuoso — which includes both environmental and cultural sustainability — I'm always on the lookout for stories highlighting the work of Virtuoso members.

What outlets do you usually pitch (and write for)?

I write for a wide range of outlets in digital and print. My bylines include National Geographic, the Wall Street Journal, Virtuoso, the Washington Post, AFAR, CNN, BBC Travel, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?

All freelance, baby! I adore the variety and flexibility of freelance life. In addition to my writing, I work with several outlets as a freelance and special projects editor.

What is your approach to press trips?

Most press trips I take are individual, as I've found they result in richer, more interesting stories. I generally do a lot of pre-reporting and research, so have a clear idea of articles I'd like to pursue before I go. The most effective trips for me are ones where I'm working with a knowledgeable partner to identify great stories and sources. One of the best parts of this job is connecting with PR or DMO folks who really know their stuff and can help build connections — I'm always so grateful for that expertise and support.

In your past professional life, you were …

A pastry chef! If the whole writing thing falls through — or when AI comes for my job — I'll go back to making brioche.

Where would you like to return to?

There are just so many places. Seven years ago, my husband and I spent six weeks cycling around Colombia — it was among the best experiences of my life. By the time we left, we were confident we'd be back soon. It still hasn't happened yet.

What's on your bucket list?

I am an avid cross-country skier and am obsessed with saunas, and I've been dreaming of a winter trip to Norway or Finland that combines the two. Skis and saunas!! What combination could be better?

Where do you travel for fun?

I'm lucky enough to travel a lot on my own time — although I'm usually simmering away a few story ideas even while off-duty. I spent March and April of this year in Turkey, which was incredible: My husband and I walked for two weeks on the Lycian Way, a long-distance hiking trail following the Turquoise Coast. After he returned home, I got a solo stint in Istanbul plus time to explore the gorgeous southeastern cities of Mardin, Gaziantep, and Sanliurfa. It's an approach that keeps me connected to the reasons I fell in love with travel in the first place — people, culture, and unexpected adventures.

Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …

I love a good harrowing travel story! Seriously, find me at the next IMM NYC and tell me yours. Mine are all pretty low stakes, but over the years I've had the usual spate of infections, infestations, and mishaps, and used phrasebooks to beg for antibiotics in three continents and in three languages. (Shout-out to the pharmacists of the world!)

What advice would you give your younger professional self?

I'd tell myself to not sweat big bylines too much because name recognition is just one way to define success. These days my goals are mostly about growing as a writer, telling stories that matter to me, and learning from people whose work I admire.

What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on?

I've been thinking a lot about the future I'd like to see for travel — a version that invites exploration, but also nurtures people, places, and culture. That's frankly not where we are right now. And I think the TravMedia community of writers, editors, and PR have a powerful role to play in shaping what comes next. If you have ideas about how we can do a better job, I'd love to chat!

How best should people contact you?

You can find me on TravMedia.