PODCASTS Episode 294: Advocating for Adventure with Melinda Spooner AdminJanuary 20, 20240103 views Episode 294: Advocating for Adventure with Melinda Spooner Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Subscribe: Google Podcasts | | More When was your last adventure? The next episode of Beyond The Business Suit has us exploring the endless possibilities of travel and personal adventure with Melinda Spooner, a former C-level leader who left her successful corporate career to follow her passion for travel and adventure. She now hosts transformational outdoor and adventure vacations for Black women and women of color, thus creating a community she so desperately didn’t know she needed, and one that was severely underserved. After receiving an overwhelming response, Melinda shares her personal journey of self-discovery along with the results of what happens when we empower ourselves, and others, to make bold moves and move beyond limits! She even highlights some of her bucket list locations that have the potential to be a life-changing experience to those on their own path to personal adventure and exploration, just like her first hiking adventure did for herself. ABOUT MELINDA SPOONER Melinda has spent the majority of her career working to improve educational opportunities for underserved students across the country. She began her career running tutoring centers in Atlanta and has served in leadership roles at Chicago Public Schools and The Achievement Network (ANet). Melinda briefly left the education sector to earn an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management and to work as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. Most recently however, Melinda spent about 10 years marrying her professional passions for organizational management and educational equity as an Executive Director, then as the Chief Talent and Equity Officer at ANet. In mid 2019 Melinda left her conventional career path to chase a personal passion: adventuring in the outdoors. In 2020 she launched SheTravels Adventure Company, a travel company that hosts transformational outdoor and adventure vacations for Black women and women of color. QUOTABLES: “Stop saying ‘yes’ to things that make you feel stressed out and pulling you away from things that don’t bring you happiness.” “I had no room to imagine what a different universe could look like because the one I was in took all of my space, mental, and emotional energy.” “Outside matters to me.” “I want to do all these cool things with a trusted community.” How to stay connected to Melinda Spooner: For any inquiries for Melinda: Melinda@shetravels.com Website: SheTravels.com Instagram: @shetravelsadventureco Facebook: SheTravels Adventure Company Source link