What is your favorite travel memory?
Sitting on a "Chicken Bus" traveling across Guatemala with my best friend on a 2 week backpacking adventure in Central America. Diving into crystal clear pools in the middle of the jungle whenever we got the chance, feasting on ceviche and tacos at every bus stop. Meeting like minded travelers and changing plans at a moments notice to go hiking up the side of a volcano or spelunking through Limestone caves with nothing but a candle to light the way.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Biggest factor in being a successful company is having a vision that people will believe in and then recruiting the right staff to fulfill that vision at whatever level or in whatever role they are placed. Passion is at the core of any successful vision therefore the key to recruiting staff that can translate that vision to clients and customers.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I've been given unprecedented freedom and responsibility in my role at GVI, allowing me to take responsibility for my own growth and development while using my skills to enhance the goals and vision of the company. There is plenty of room for growth both vertically and laterally in our company and support from our management team is always friendly and enthusiastic.
What unique qualities does your company possess?
A truly relational style of working where a feeling of being part of the team is cultivated at the same level as pride in ones' work. Open-ness to trying different directions in the quest to educate and involve young and old volunteers in roles that broaden their perception of the world and their potential to be agents of change wherever they are in the world.
Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team
Our team became officially involved in a program to help educate and rehabilitate young Thai women who were exploited at a young age and lured into the sex industry. Our volunteers now spend many hours a week teaching english and life skills to these brave women who have taken the decision to change their lives. It feels really good to know that our volunteers are involved in the kind of project that truly changes lives!