Gretchen Bade began her adventures with VISIONS in 2000 in the British Virgin Islands, and for the last five seasons she has directed the Tortola program. The magical island has become a home, and VISIONS friends there a second family.
While keeping deep roots in the Caribbean, Gretchen feels blessed to have wings to carry her to Vietnam for a new adventure. She first explored Vietnam while traveling throughout Southeast Asia after college. She has maintained an intense interest in the culture and history of this gorgeous country and looks forward to the opportunity to return there to steward the newest VISIONS program.
A Wisconsin native, Gretchen attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she received degrees in Education, Psychology and History. She spent two years in Southern California with Americorps and the San Diego CHOICE program. Currently, when she is not serving and learning with VISIONS during the summer, Gretchen dedicates herself to the wild and wonderful world of seventh graders in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Unable to sit still, Gretchen has created chances to travel to over 30 countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Never-ending new experience, and, more importantly, an aware and open heart and mind are what she is after. Gretchen also lives to dance, dream, dress up and do what she can to make others smile.