Mission & Vision

It is our mission to leverage our global travel partnerships to enrich communities through education and economic empowerment with the vision to help build a thriving and sustainable global community through the power of travel.

Often the most impactful ideas begin with a trip. By its very nature, travel fosters curiosity and new perspectives. Such was the case when a group of travel industry leaders ventured to Kenya with Micato Safaris. During this journey, they were so inspired by the service work in Mukuru that they collected funds to establish a new Computer Learning Center at Harambee Center in 2019. What began as a donation-based project, continued until it was self-sustained.

And thus, the idea behind Travel Elevates was born. The mission? Leverage global travel partnerships to enrich communities through education and economic empowerment. Consider it a desired domino effect, as thriving and sustainable global communities are further built via the power of travel.

Further, the trip to Mukuru truly inspired Signature Travel Network, a consortium of more than 15,000 experienced travel advisors, to think differently about how they want to construct travel for clients around the globe. Travel Elevates sponsors multiple projects each year and highlights many more to assist travelers in identifying local projects they may wish to support during their trips.

Itinerary components that allow travelers to give back and connect locally, provides an extra special meaning and connection to a destination. It broadens horizons, opens minds, connects cultures, and put simply, it brings the world closer together. Travel Elevates hopes to replicate the positive impact Signature members, staff and partners were able to make in Mukuru in other communities around the world.

Our Story

The Advisory Board

CO-OWNER, AMAWATERWAYS
Gary is the Travel Elevates board chair and co-owner of AmaWaterways. With more than 35 years of experience, Gary served as the VP of Marketing and Sales for Miami Air International before transitioning to Brendan Worldwide Vacations where he served as VP of Marketing and became President of Brendan in 2000.

OWNER, VACATION THAT MATTERS
Nina Patel is the owner of Vacations that Matter. Travel has allowed her to make a difference for local communities around the world igniting her passion for giving back and ensuring that the vacations she plans for her clients are meaningful and fulfill a higher purpose. She truly believes Travel Matters.

PRESIDENT, TRAVELSTORE
Born in Argentina, Osvaldo came to the U.S. in 1979 as Controller, Western USA for Argentine Airlines. In 1985 he joined the Accounting Department at TravelStore and was promoted to CFO in 1991. By 1998 he was named Executive Vice President and CFO and became TravelStore’s new President & CEO in January 2017. Osvaldo is a member of various airlines Agency Advisory Boards as well as a BCD Affiliate Board member.

PRESIDENT, PREFERRED TRAVEL OF NAPLES
Olga Placeres is President and owner of Preferred Travel of Naples, with over 31 years of experience overseeing daily operations with 50+ staff. She serves on several industry boards; Signature Travel Network, Tauck, Lindblad Expeditions, Travel Elevates, and locally on Founders Scholarship Fund Advisory Board. Her passions include spending time with her family and exploring the world!

MANN TRAVELS, A FROSCH COMPANY
Since acquiring Mann Travels in 1979, Gary Silverstein has built strong and loyal relationships with both travelers and travel industry partners. When not serving his local community of Charlotte, North Carolina, or globetrotting, he is spending time with his two children and five granddaughters.

Founding Sponsors

Travel Elevates celebrates and thanks our Founding Sponsors. These preferred partners deliver exceptional and unforgettable travel experiences, and they are committed to protecting and supporting people, places, wildlife, and communities around the world.