Director of Travel
Heather’s interest in international exchange began in high school when her family hosted a French student for a summer program. The positive experience encouraged Heather to spend the following summer with her host sister’s family in France, and formed a lasting relationship between the families, who continue to visit each other over the years.
This exchange spurred Heather’s love for travel and lead her to complete her bachelor’s degree in French language and history at the University of Virginia, and to study abroad for a summer at the Catholic University of Paris. At her internship at the University’s International Center, she coordinated the Speaker’s Bureau for International students to share their cultures with school and community groups around Charlottesville.
Volunteering with YFU first as a scholarship evaluator, Heather joined YFU full time as an Admissions Counselor for a year before being recruited to join the new Travel Department in 2001. She has developed operations and formed relationships with travel vendors and partner countries over the years, and as Director, she manages the safe travel of several thousand international students around the world each year.
A native of the Washington, DC area, Heather has 20 years of hospitality and customer service experience, and is a frequent traveler herself. Her desire to see the world and learn about other cultures has taken her many countries including Turkey, Morocco, Japan, China, India and Cuba.