Growing up in Illinois' Fox River Valley, about 40 miles west of Chicago, Sarah developed an interest in travel early in life. Family road trips introduced her to many of America's national parks, often packing multiple park visits into a single week. Those experiences fostered a lasting appreciation for nature, exploration and cultural discovery.

Sarah studied communications and biology at Northwestern University. After graduation, eager to experience life beyond the Midwest, she moved to Costa Rica. Living abroad deepened her interest in language and culture while opening the door to extensive international travel. Her journeys have taken her to remote communities in Ecuador, medical mission projects in Bolivia, destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, the Canadian Rockies and countries across Eastern and Western Europe.

In 2004, Sarah earned a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate and went on to teach English both in the United States and internationally. Her professional work has allowed her to combine education, cross-cultural communication and travel while building expertise in destinations around the world.

Over the years, Sarah has developed a particular interest in Africa's wildlife, landscapes and cultures. She continues to expand her knowledge of the continent through research and travel whenever possible.

Sarah enjoys practicing yoga, reading, cooking and planning future adventures with her husband and two children. She values opportunities to learn from different cultures and remains inspired by the connections between people, wildlife and place.