40+ years of turning trips into lifelong memories.
We’re a team of travel advisors who believe the best journeys are built by people, not algorithms — and that the details are where the magic lives.
Before the travel industry became my career, it was my dream.
Back in high school, I knew I wanted to work in travel. At first, I imagined myself as a flight attendant, seeing the world one flight at a time. After graduating from high school in Merritt Island, Florida, I moved back to Illinois, where I started dating the man who would become my husband. Fast forward 44 years (and counting!), and I can honestly say he’s been my favorite travel companion.
We were married in 1982, and our first son arrived in 1984. I was a young wife and mom, and while my dream of working in travel never went away, I knew the timing wasn’t quite right. With two young children, I wasn’t ready to be traveling regularly, so I found myself in a few different jobs along the way.
I worked at several banks as a proof operator—which, honestly, I’m not even sure is still a real job anymore! I also worked for a company that owned 50 Burger King restaurants, where I handled payroll. None of those jobs involved passports or packing suitcases, but they taught me valuable skills and kept me moving toward my eventual goal.
As my kids got older and could stay home after school until my husband got home from work, I decided it was finally time to chase that dream. I enrolled in a class at McHenry County College called So You Want to Be a Travel Agent. That one class led to the full travel agent program, and I graduated in 1995.
After interviewing with several local agencies (and receiving a couple of offers!), I accepted a part-time position with Worldwide Traveler in February 1996. It was the beginning of a career I absolutely loved. In 2001, I transitioned to full-time, and around that same time, the agency’s owner began talking about moving to Florida. Before long, our conversations turned to something I had never imagined possible—me purchasing the agency.
In 2004, that dream became a reality.
One of the greatest blessings was that the entire staff chose to stay. Together, we’ve continued to grow the business, and I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible team we have today. They’re a huge part of what makes Worldwide Traveler so special.
People often tell me, “It must be nice to travel so much!” And they’re right—it is! But every trip is also a learning experience. I’m always exploring new destinations, checking out resorts, discovering hidden gems, and gathering firsthand knowledge so I can give my clients the very best recommendations possible.
I’ve always believed you should never trust a travel consultant who doesn’t travel.
Travel isn’t just my career—it’s my passion, my lifestyle, and, in many ways, my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me here, the business we’ve built, and the wonderful clients who trust us to help create their own unforgettable adventures.