Meet the Untours Foundation: a changemaking force redefining tourism through sustainability, inclusion, and impact with their groundbreaking Reset Tourism Fund.

In the ever-evolving world of travel, there’s a rising tide of social impact and sustainability, and one organization that stands at the forefront is the UnTours Foundation. Finalist for a Bessie Award in the Social Impact category, the foundation is being recognized for its innovative work in reshaping the travel industry with purpose and accountability. Through its Reset Tourism Fund, the UnTours Foundation is driving change, ensuring that the travel industry not only grows but does so in a way that benefits both local communities and global travelers alike. In a time when travel can easily exploit rather than empower, the UnTours Foundation is paving the way for a future where sustainability, inclusivity, and responsibility are at the heart of every journey.

About the Bessie Awards

Bessie Awards powered by Wanderful

The Bessie Awards celebrate the trailblazers, changemakers, and visionaries who are reshaping the travel industry for the better. Named in honor of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. These awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to empowering women and fostering inclusivity in travel.

About UnTours Foundation

The Untours Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reshaping the future of tourism by supporting changemaking entrepreneurs and initiatives that positively impact local communities. By leveraging the profits from its B Corp-certified travel company, UnTours, the foundation invests in businesses worldwide that innovate in sustainable, inclusive, and community-driven tourism. Their Reset Tourism Fund amplifies these efforts by providing capital to support organizations that are committed to making tourism a force for good, promoting regenerative solutions, and creating opportunities for diverse travelers and local stakeholders alike. With a focus on impact, accountability, and sustainability, the Untours Foundation is leading the charge toward a more ethical and inclusive tourism industry.

Tell us your story! How did you find your way into the travel industry? 

My background is in economic development and impact measurement, and it was only when I joined the UnTours Foundation that I became involved in the travel industry. After spending time in my early career working with nonprofits focused on social change and community development both in the United States and abroad, I went to get my MBA in Economic Development. The program I attended opened up the world of social entrepreneurship to me, and I got hooked on the idea of leveraging business as a force for good. Specifically, I became really interested in Certified B Corporations, which are companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact, accountability, and transparency.

I went on to spend five years working with businesses to measure and manage their impact, and helped over 20 companies along their journey to become B Corps. It was then that I got the opportunity to work for the UnTours Foundation, which happens to own the world’s very first B Corp (UnTours) and uses the profits of UnTours to invest in changemaking entrepreneurs all over the world positively impacting their local communities. It was like my whole career to that point had led to this fantastic culmination. Right as I joined the team, we launched the Reset Tourism Fund, and I very quickly dove straight into the travel industry! It’s been amazing to learn about all the ways tourism can positively impact the world and to connect with entrepreneurs building solutions to make the industry more sustainable, inclusive, and impactful. 

What motivates you to do your work today?

Our investees! The companies we support are all truly inspiring. They are doing incredible work, including opening up the world to more diverse sets of travelers, innovating to create regenerative solutions in destinations, developing communities by involving stakeholders across the tourism value chain, and more. They motivate me to keep working hard to deploy more flexible and affordable capital to businesses like our investees who are changing the industry and changing the world. Small businesses make up most of the tourism industry, and if we can reach more of these companies and bring along more partners, I truly believe we can shape the future of the industry to become all we believe it can be: more sustainable, more inclusive, and more community-driven. 

What does it mean to you to have the community nominate you for a Bessie award?

It means a great deal to see the support for what we’re building with the Reset Tourism Fund. It feels very validating to know that others are seeing what we’re building and believe in our vision. We know we can’t do this work alone and need a community of support, so I’m very thankful for the partnerships we’ve built and continue to build!  

What do you envision for the future of the travel industry?

I believe travel is one of the single most important industries in the world for its ability to inspire curiosity, create connection, and leave us not only in awe of the natural world but empowered to protect it. When I look around, I see so many incredible people and organizations across the globe showing us what the future of this industry can look like. I envision more people committed to mitigating the negative impacts of travel, proactively restoring spaces, involving local communities, paving the way for people who represent all kinds of diversity to experience the world, and inspiring travelers to connect more fully with themselves, with others, and with the planet.

As the travel industry faces growing calls to do better for the planet, communities, and future generations, the Untours Foundation steps up with vision and action. Their work reminds us that travel can be more than just movement; it can be a movement. From funding changemakers through the Reset Tourism Fund to championing regenerative, inclusive tourism, they’re building a roadmap for an industry rooted in justice and joy. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to truly use business as a force for good, look no further.