Last updated on August 29th, 2025
The JourneyWoman Team
Meet Our Team
“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” – Unknown
Bio: A seasoned entrepreneur, Carolyn leads JourneyWoman’s editorial team, as well as its marketing communications and consulting services. Carolyn grew up in Florida surrounded by sea and surf and moved to Canada after a year overseas in 1987. She started her career in book publishing and held leadership positions in brand consulting and PR firms, most recently as the CEO of Interbrand Canada. In March 2023, she was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse. Carolyn travels full time after downsizing to her backpack in 2018. She’s a TTC Herald and a member of Women Travel Leaders.
Thing I love: My daughter Alyx, history, astronomy, anything literary/books, margaritas, beaches, latin music, empowering women, dancing!
Places I love: Spain, Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Key West, Morocco, New York, Mexico and Kenya and too many more to mention
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Bio: After graduating with a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Western University, Stephanie took a year abroad in Australia. It was there she decided she wanted to continue a life of working while travelling. She went back to school in Toronto to learn to code and build websites. Since then she has travelled the world while working remotely, from the beaches of Thailand and Bali to Italy and Spain and lots of places in between. She currently lives in Berlin, Germany, but still travels often and maintains websites along the way.
Things I love: Travelling, fantasy books, electronic music, festivals, my dog, Italian and Greek food, and warm weather
Places I love: Italy, Thailand, Australia, Ibiza, anywhere in the Med
Her path has evolved from student abroad to backpacker, expat, and nomad, while building a career in Business and Marketing across startups and Fortune 500 companies. Now an immigrant in Canada, you can find her curious spirit travelling, eating and dancing!
Things I love: Food, sport, speaking on podcast/events, theater, mentoring, writing, sunsets, the outdoors, brunch
Places I love: Italy, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, Mediterrenean and….cannot choose only a few (plus all the places on the bucket list!)
“Travel is life in miniature” – Jamie Kurtz
Bio: Claire’s path into the travel world began with adventure. After high school, she spent several years exploring Europe and Peru and living in Australia before returning to her hometown of Toronto to earn a diploma in Tourism and Travel Services Management. She later expanded her learning with less traditional training, becoming certified in travel coaching and transformational travel design.
She now works behind the scenes as an integrator and project specialist, supporting women-led organizations, vibrant travel communities, and innovative projects that are shaping the future of the industry. Her clients include influential women in travel, award-winning organizations, coaching networks, and ultra-high-net-worth trip planning companies. Based in the Toronto area, Claire is passionate about bringing ideas to life that connect women, community, and transformation through travel.
Things I love: Travelling, tending to my vegetable garden, my cat Mimi, eating delicious vegan food and spending quality time with family and friends.
Places I love: New Zealand, Peru, Italy, Morocco, Portugal
Christine Winebrenner Irick was recently named one of “2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel” by TravelPulse. She received a Bessie Award from Wanderful in 2022 for her work on Soul of Travel, being recognized as a brand that has gone above and beyond to support, empower, and represent women in the past year.
She has spoken with over 100 women in many countries who are working to create a positive impact around the world on the Soul of Travel Podcast, which was brought into the JourneyWoman family in June 2023. She is also the Founder of Lotus Sojourns, where she creates and guides transformational journeys for women that support gender equity.
Bio: Eblen was born and raised in Mexico and took an adventurous turn in 2007 when she moved to Toronto. This bold step ignited her passion for immersive and slow travelling, leading her to explore the daily lives and cultures of diverse countries around the world. With a background in graphic design and seven years of experience in client relations and account management, Eblen has honed her skills in understanding and connecting with people. But her role as a solo female travel advocate truly resonates with her heart. Eblen is dedicated to inspiring women everywhere to embark on their own solo adventures, encouraging them to embrace the beauty and richness of the world on their own terms.
Things I love: immersing myself in the wonders of nature, marvelling at new places and experiences, constantly seeking to surprise me with new things to do or learn, and inspiring others with my journey.
Places I love: India, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Portugal and home, Toronto.
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
Bio: Tom works with travel companies to help them build their brands and connect authentically with travellers. a B.A. from Brown University, has spent over 30 years in consulting, most recently as the President of Interbrand New York. He is a published author, keynote speaker and revered mentor to many a fertile mind, still finding time to travel to over 80 countries. Tom leads our Consulting Practice and works on projects related to sustainability, CEO coaching, strategic branding, mergers and acquisitions and industry research.
Things I love: hugs from my grandchildren, warmth of the sun, spicy food, museums, 7-minute planks!
Places I love: Maro, Agra, Horseshoe Bay, Bali, Manhattan, Patagonia
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost
Bio: Melissa has been with JourneyWoman for almost 12 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ryerson and works with our accommodation partners.
Things I love: My kids, fiber art, the kitchen, sharing stories, working with amazing teams
Places I love: Bermuda, Alberta, England, France