Liz grew up near Boston, MA, and was always searching out adventures, challenges and new experiences. As an avid volunteer, student and athlete, Liz immersed herself in the life of her community and school. At the age of 17 she emptied her piggy bank, did some familial fundraising, and went to Europe for a month. That's when the Travel Bug bit her, and she's been traveling ever since. She's lived and worked throughout the U.S., in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Belize, Thailand and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In her travels she's assumed a variety of roles including Spanish/English/Art teacher, painter, community organizer, camp counselor, state park trail builder, roofer, climate change Researcher, lifeguard, and archeologist assistant.
Liz holds a B.A. in International and Intercultural Studies with an Art minor from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. Liz became passionate about community building in southern California; she was involved in a Prison Literacy program, the Immigrant Rights movement, and led outdoor adventure trips at school. During a college semester abroad in Ecuador, Liz's eyes were opened wide to the beauties and realities of the world. Currently, Liz is pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainable Development at the SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, VT.
Liz's love for working with youth and a desire for their eyes and hearts to be opened to the world just as hers brought her to VISIONS in 2006. She staffed in Peru that summer and again last summer. She fell so much in love with the valley and the amazing people of the Andes that she stayed on in Urubamba teaching English for several months.
Liz is passionate about food, dancing, playing soccer, learning, hiking, kayaking, climbing, coffee, and making art. She is ecstatic about returning to Urubamba, her home away from home, for a third summer and her first season as a program director.