"We wanted more purposeful trips for our own families. Something that reframed how our kids experience the world while they were having the time of their lives. That is how Global CommUnity was born. What we came up with was too good of a thing to keep to ourselves, so we started selling these trips to our clients."
Be the hero. Take your family on a Global CommUnity adventure that accomplishes all the parental must-dos while showcasing a destination in a way that is fun, relevant, and continually engaging, all the while fostering a broader worldview in your children.
Christie's passion for other cultures began when she was a child living abroad. International exposure as a child not only opened her eyes to the sights and sounds of other cultures but was the germination of her curiosity for others. As an adult she continues to explore culture, starting in her own home as a born a yankee married to a 5th generation southerner. The fostering of a broader world view and exploring the culture at home and abroad continues to grow in importance as she is raising teenage children of her own.
Her hope and desire is that Global CommUnity will allow people to learn how to engage culture at home and abroad as they connect with families and friends.
Christie received a BA from Furman University 1990.
A native Texan, Keith Waldon began his career in luxury travel while still in college in Dallas as an intern for Rosewood Hotels. He continued his career there as a marketing manager after graduating from Southern Methodist University. Keith later spent 16 years as a senior executive for the international luxury travel network Virtuoso, where creating the Virtuoso brand and elevating the awareness of travel advisors were among his accomplishments. With 25 years in the luxury travel industry and a bit of a maverick Texan personality, Keith developed the Departure Lounge retail travel concept as a new way to engage travelers where they live. Based in Austin, Departure Lounge is now a franchise concept expanding to other cities.
Waldon has a 21-year-old daughter, who has traveled around the globe with him since she was born, and she is part of the inspiration of Global CommUnity.
Wendy Burk
CEO
Cadence Travel
La Jolla, California
Keith Waldon
Founder & Director
Departure Lounge
Austin, Texas
Amie O’Shaughnessy
Founder & CEO
Ciao Bambino! Inc
Piedmont, California
Elisa Pozzoli
Co-Owner / Product & Marketing Director
Essence of Italy
Firenze, Italy
Bob Campbell
Managing Partner
Travel Designs by Campbell
Dallas, Texas
Jessica Griscavage
Director of Marketing & Senior Travel Advisor
McCabe World Travel
McLean, Virginia
Carmen Targa
Condado Travel
Vice President Leisure Sales
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jennifer Wilson Buttigieg
Co-Owner & Co-President
Valerie Wilson Travel
New York, New York
Betty Jo Currie
Founder
Currie & Co. Travels Unlimited
Atlanta, Georgia
Dasha Westerfield
Owner
West University Travel
Houston, Texas
Leslie Dodson
Senior Director
Luxury Sales
North America, New York City
Ellen Bettridge
CEO
Los Angeles, CA