Giving Magic Travel is working to elevate the travel planning experience by providing FREE expert service & support while donating a portion of the industry's commission to sending deserving families to Disney World. Creating experiences for people to feel connected, confident and supported while expanding their horizons is a passion that has driven my entire career, and something I consider to be
a great honor. My love of travel struck during a trip with my high school Spanish class, my first time to Europe. Being exposed to different cultures and environments made a profound impact on me, and gave a feeling that has only since been rivaled by sharing such new experiences with others. My wanderlust carried me throughout college while I studied hospitality management and event planning at The Ohio State University. However, my desire to impact people, specifically young people - inspiring them to feel engaged and connected to their education and world around them - lead me to shift gears professionally, and earn my masters to become a school counselor. Since 2008, I have had the privilege of working with thousands of students of all ages and their families - listening to and advocating for their concerns, connecting them with the best resources possible, and advising them on how best to achieve their goals. Whether it is through facilitating orientations, puzzling schedules, or connecting students with prospective career and college matches, my favorite part of the job has been empowering students to broaden their horizons through new experiences. I’ll never forget this past December, on a bus ride home from a 3-day senior trip to NYC, when a student expressed how this journey completely changed her - she found the confidence to step outside of her comfort zone and make connections with peers she’d known her whole life but had never spoken to before, and that the bonds forged she believed would carry beyond the end of their senior year. If my students would associate me with a mantra, it would my challenge to “be the change” and “pay it forward.” So when I heard that Ali Zabel, a friend and long-time travel expert, was creating her own company that was focused on providing a personalized travel planning experience with a focus on gifting the experience of travel to deserving families who would not otherwise have the means to do so, I knew I needed to be a part of this movement however possible. There are so many assumptions about the travel industry that I regret not understanding sooner - specifically that 100% of travel agents' commission is covered by the industry, NOT the consumer! Meaning that the 5-15% commission cost is already built into the expenses we travelers are already paying - whether we use the benefits of professional agent or not! When you choose to connect with Giving Magic Travel, a percentage of the commission we get from the industry - not you! - will be going directly toward sending a deserving local family to Disney World each year! We’re excited to be partnering with local foundations to give true purpose to travel you plan on taking anyway! When you’re working through us, we will strive to give you the best possible deals and support, insider information, and as much involvement as you would like! Please reach out and share if you are interested in learning how you can START TRAVELING WITH PURPOSE and pay the magic forward. More about me...
I live in my hometown of Canfield, Ohio where my husband and I both work in the district where our three very active children attend elementary and middle school. When we aren't being run around by youth sports, we enjoy making memories with friends and always looking forward to the next adventure. :)
