About us
Our Goals
Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel through individual and community empowerment.
We connect community groups and individuals with travel, cultural, and educational experiences to promote personal and professional growth.
We work with organizations in the world of travel to broaden their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, including aligning with best inclusive practices.
Our Mission
Travel Unity’s mission is to make the world of travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities. We do this by educating the travel industry and cultivating connections with marginalized communities.
Our Vision
We envision a global travel industry that welcomes everyone and creates environments for staff, visitors, and local communities to all feel seen, heard, and respected.
Our Definition of Travel
When people leave their usual environment, they come into contact with new people, new sights, new experiences, and new ideas.
That exposure allows individuals to learn more about themselves and the world around them, creating greater internal and societal awareness.
For Travel Unity, travel experiences go beyond those involved airplane travel. For us, travel includes:
local experiences, like going to a restaurant in a different neighborhood, visiting a cultural institution to see the exhibits or for an event, or joining a local tour
regional experiences, like day trips or camping
short and long-term relocation for school or work
Our Philosophy
Travel should be welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
We will work with anyone who commits to live by this view.
We believe in diplomatic empathy—understanding others to allow for win-win scenarios. This does not mean guaranteed agreement or forced acquiescence but a commitment to always trying to put yourself in others’ shoes.
More ideas we believe:
No one is perfect. DEI is a process for everyone who commits to it (including us).
Intent is not enough. Real change only comes through active listening and diplomatic empathy.
We firmly include “local travel” and cultural institutions into our programming and education initiatives.
SDGs
Travel Unity aligns with select Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which build on the Millennium Development Goals.
Met The Faces Behind Travel Unity
Travel Unity has an extensive network of thoughtful individuals from various backgrounds and identities. Our staff, Directors, and Advisors work diligently on our mission to make the world of travel welcoming to everyone.
Staff
Roni Weiss
Executive Director
Natasha Ho
Senior Communications & Partnerships Manager
Brianna Walton
Marketing Manager
Chinwendu Ofia
Marketing Assistant
Mackenzie Urban
Youth & Workforce Programs Coordinator
Dr. Christa Mahlobo
Facilitator
Vandana Agrawal
Facilitator
Meg Licari
Facilitator
Board of Directors
Soyoung Park, Ph.D.
Chair
David Naczycz
Vice Chair
Katy Summers
Secretary
Chadley Hollas
Harry Alvarez
Karen Kuhl
Robin Reed
Advisors
Travel Unity maintains a global Board of Advisors, comprised of
Bing Pan
Camille Zess
Carla Vaca Pinchacho
Dr. Christina Cavaliere
Chi Lo
Claire Dunlap
Danny Guerrero
David Doan
Edward Hall III
Elijah Washington
Ethan Gelber
Farah Bala
Greg Marshall
Helen Horsham-Bertels
Jan Bonville
Jasmine Causey
Joan Eisenstodt
Dr. Kelly Bricker
Kelly Metzgar
Kolya Lynne Smith
Laura Luker
Lisbeth Ceballos
Margie Jordan
Najauna White
Natacha Unelus
Neha Arora
Nicholas Kopka
Réal Hamilton-Romeo
Rhonda Binda
Romey Louangvilay
Ruksana Hussain
Stacy Ritter
Vickie Ashford Thompson
Zoe Moore
Travel Unity provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.