Wanderful sat down with Lindsay, the founder of Adventure Collective to learn how she’s building meaningful travel experiences that go far beyond sightseeing, and why her company is such a powerful fit for women in our community.

Tell us about your company. What does it do?

Adventure Collective is a tour operator using travel as a platform to create community and connection for women. We’re not here to shuffle you from one quick sightseeing stop to the next. We design journeys that change how you see the world and yourself.

What’s special about your business? How is it changing the world?

I created Adventure Collective to be more than a trip. It is an intentional space where women connect with each other, with locals, and with themselves. That ripple effect is powerful: women return home with stronger voices, deeper friendships, and a renewed sense of belonging that spills into every part of their lives.

Tell us about yourself. How did you start the business?

Growing up, my family moved constantly, and I went to 7 schools before graduating high school. At one of them, I ate lunch in a stairwell because I did not have anyone to sit with. That experience is why belonging matters so deeply to me.

In college, I found travel with a summer job at the Grand Canyon, and it blew my world open. That moment sparked a 20-year career across the travel industry from guiding trips to building sales at National Geographic Expeditions. Adventure Collective is the culmination of everything I have learned, built on the belief that connection is the most meaningful souvenir.

What makes Adventure Collective different from other group travel companies?

The adventure begins before the plane ever takes off. Travelers join three pre-trip “Trip Talks” to meet the group, set expectations, and dive into culture and language basics. Then comes the Collective Compass, a guided journal mailed before departure that becomes the heartbeat of the trip. On the road, we use it in nightly circles. And when the trip ends, the journey continues with group calls at 1, 6, and 12 months later. Most companies stop at “see you later.” We build an intentional arc of transformation that lasts a full year and beyond.

What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?

Convincing women that it is okay to prioritize themselves. The laundry and the inbox will still be there when you return. But the chance to walk through an olive grove in Greece with a new soul sister or dance under Moroccan stars? That once-in-a-lifetime experience should never be postponed.

What do you wish more women in travel knew?

That saying “yes” to yourself is not indulgent. It is essential. Travel has this incredible way of reminding us of our worth, our strength, and our joy. You deserve that.

How do you wish the travel industry better represented and supported women?

The reality is that women make up 55% of the tourism workforce, yet only around 20% of
general management roles and 8% of board positions are held by women. These numbers, cited by wmnsWORK, are a reminder that we need more representation and leadership opportunities for women across the industry.

How can Wanderful travelers get more involved in your work?

At Adventure Collective, we believe in quality over quantity and offer four founder-led trips each year. Our Greece Connection trip has just been announced, and our Morocco Connection trip will launch later this month. Join our email list for early access, updates, and perks. We also have an affiliate program and collaboration opportunities for creators and travel advisors who want to be part of building this powerful movement.