Founding Team
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Jaqui McCarthy, Cofounder and CEO
Jaqui had a lifelong curiosity of understanding human behavior and interactions. Her interest was sparked from her family’s human capital consulting firm where she learned how to optimize teams by utilizing each persons strengths. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in Business Development with a focus on Human Relations Jaqui was employed as a wireless sales professional which exposed her to technical user experience and interaction. After graduating, Jaqui furthered her passion for human behavior through graduate studies in Research Psychology, Organizational Development, and Industrial Psychology. Over a 10 year career in wireless telecommunications Jaqui was promoted to a Business Account Manager and then to a Program Manager which gave additional insight on the user experience, marketing, and management. Her combined experience within technology sales, psychology, and human capital management lead Jaqui to create behavioral based and travel style algorithms which help uncover the human factor behind travel and used to inform advanced recommendation systems on how to better connect WiGo Trips™ Members to each other, trips, and information. |
Throughout her professional career, Jaqui had also been an entrepreneur. She founded three peer to peer communities and four companies. Jaqui learned how to grow and monetize communities in a way that mutually benefits members and provides them with real time and authentic connections and experiences around the world. In running her own businesses, Jaqui taught herself design, event production, web development, team building, community engagement, and how to start companies from the ground up which gave her the tools and knowledge to lead the WiGo Trips™ vision, team, and drive the platform’s requirements.
WiGo Trips: Jaqui McCarthy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaquimccarthy
WiGo Trips: Jaqui McCarthy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jaquimccarthy
Adam Coulon, Cofounder and CTO
Adam graduated from Purdue University with a bachelors degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering and worked approximately eight years within academia. He focused on pursuing research opportunities at universities and research institutions around the world including the University of Stuttgart, Tohoku University, and the Korean Institute of Science and Technology. While sharing both language and culture, he enjoyed pushing the frontier of science alongside his colleagues.
While in Germany, Adam decided to begin shifting his career toward computer science, and pursued a masters degree at the Georgia Institute of Science and Technology. Two years later, Adam realized his passion for software development and decided to pursue the endeavor full-time as a freelancer. Devoting the majority of his time to the craft, he quickly become proficient and after a year he accepted a position in the first development team of startup called Towny, a cash back rewards and coupon company which benefited members who banked and shopped local. After Adam departed from Towny, he accepted a position at LegalZoom as the lead developer for their Innovation division and built a next generation platform connecting businesses to a dedicated team of specialists. A year ago, Adam connected with Jaqui on a platform used by travelers to connect with each other. Moved by the organizational work and product research Jaqui had done, and knew he could deliver the platform she envisioned, Adam joined WiGo Trips as cofounder and CTO.
WiGo Trips: Adam Coulon
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-coulon-a38963135
Adam graduated from Purdue University with a bachelors degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering and worked approximately eight years within academia. He focused on pursuing research opportunities at universities and research institutions around the world including the University of Stuttgart, Tohoku University, and the Korean Institute of Science and Technology. While sharing both language and culture, he enjoyed pushing the frontier of science alongside his colleagues.
While in Germany, Adam decided to begin shifting his career toward computer science, and pursued a masters degree at the Georgia Institute of Science and Technology. Two years later, Adam realized his passion for software development and decided to pursue the endeavor full-time as a freelancer. Devoting the majority of his time to the craft, he quickly become proficient and after a year he accepted a position in the first development team of startup called Towny, a cash back rewards and coupon company which benefited members who banked and shopped local. After Adam departed from Towny, he accepted a position at LegalZoom as the lead developer for their Innovation division and built a next generation platform connecting businesses to a dedicated team of specialists. A year ago, Adam connected with Jaqui on a platform used by travelers to connect with each other. Moved by the organizational work and product research Jaqui had done, and knew he could deliver the platform she envisioned, Adam joined WiGo Trips as cofounder and CTO.
WiGo Trips: Adam Coulon
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-coulon-a38963135
WiGo Trips™ Advisors
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Hannah Taylor, Travel Industry Advisor
Hannah has an entrepreneur’s soul combined with a project mangers mentality is a powerful combination for any team. Hannah brings a host of startup experience having either worked for, or attempted to be poached by, the best accelerators in the country. Her master’s in Communications Thesis titled: “Rethinking Coopetition: Communication as an Alternative framework for Startup Accelerators” gave her the insight into the earliest stages of launching a company. Her past experience in working with multiple accelerator program alumni, including Travelport Labs, has given her critical and front-line understanding on the difficulties of launching, and actually creating, sustainable companies. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannahdrain |
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Jon Armitage, Marketing Advisor
Jon brings with him a growth and marketing background at some of the largest global digital companies and early stage disruptor businesses with executive roles at Google, Expedia, and Trunk Club. Jon also acts as a start up advisor and coach to various companies looking to transform the customer experience through technology. Jon is now part of an investment fund assessing opportunities across online consumer industries and brings a passion for the travel space and a keen eye and interest in being part of the next big story. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jon-armitage-27292318 |
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Reuben Levinsohn, Financial Advisor
Reuben is an entrepreneur, investor and startup coach with a passion for developing leaders who want to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful lasting change. Reuben has an innate ability in discovering the game changers and is experienced in developing them into the successful leaders of tomorrow. Assisting with financial and strategic planning and consulting on financial considerations, Reuben serves as a financial advisor for WiGo Trips and takes on the role of mentor to the CEO. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reuben-levinsohn-6546663 |
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Angel Morales, Founding Advisor
Angel is skilled in managing high level international relations, complex negotiations, and working with multi-million dollar budgets, Angel Morales serves as WiGo's Relations Advisor. An entrepreneur by nature, Angel has founded five companies and manages high level profile business contacts in 30+ countries. Among his extensive portfolio, Angel has partnered with Starwood Hotels, Atlantis Resorts, Air India and Marriott. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angel-morales-4b96472 |
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Brad Bickerton, Business Development Advisor
Brad is an experienced entrepreneur & executive with 15 years in founding, educating and transforming startup teams into companies. His custom toolbox of critical tips every entrepreneur needs to know enables him to “Sesame Street” advanced business, legal, financial, and operational concepts into the right knowledge at just the right time. Clients frequently tell him, “I wish I was recording this”, a testament to his ability to deliver audience-specific messages at their moments of greatest need. He cares about the success of companies, and his desire is to spread his deep entrepreneurial knowledge to continue making a difference in the growth and development of driven individuals and teams at every stage of their journey. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bradbickerton |
WiGo Trips™ Ambassadors
Meet the WiGo Trips™ brand Ambassadors who are creating and leading bucket list worthy adventures around the world. All of our Ambassadors are experienced travelers who have been selected for their unique take on the world and how they incorporate it into their travel, as well as their desire to share their experiences with shared interest and like-minded travelers like you. Each of our WiGo Trips™ Ambassadors have gone through an extensive interview process, have passed a background check, and are committed to creating a sense of belonging on each of their trips.
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Aiste Ridikaite, the Thrill Seeker
Kaltenbach, Austria Get your caps on, traveling with Aiste (pronounced Ice-Té) is an adventure of it's own! She's visited over 40 countries and lived on five continents. Her specialty is in creating extreme adrenaline experiences including kite boarding, windsurfing, skiing, longboarding, and boxing. On the not so extreme side, Aiste enjoys yoga, local food exploration, and sharing authentic experiences. WiGo Trips: Aiste Ridikaite IG: @aistephotography |
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Cameron Wyatt, Adventurist and Festi
Denver, CO USA Retuning from a year abroad living in a van (by choice), Cameron, founder of Dirt Bag Vans, is back in adventure mode. Cameron has traveled quite a bit in his life from family trips to Mexico, Habitat for Humanity missions in Hungary, Visiting friends in Thailand, creating documentaries in Japan, and of course the local weekend getaways all over the USA. Cameron offers WiGo Members a unique combination of personal insight mixed with independence and belonging. WiGo Trips: Cameron Wyatt IG: @camtheman88 |
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Christina Waterman, Hippie and Adventurist
New York, NY USA Christina's two biggest passion in life are adventure and cuisine. She takes a "half planned" approach to her trip planning. At the base level of each of her trips you can expect to find both of those things mixed in with other fun and interesting activities thrown into the mix. Christina is big on understanding people, culture, and how to foster human connection. IG: @christina_waterman |
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Connor Coats, Adventurist and Voluntourist
Baton Rouge, LA USA Connor has been traveling for a while now, having been to Mexico, Belize, Spain, France, and soon to the Alps and Portugal. He travels to Disney every other month as well. His passion is for helping children, especially those in developing worlds, and organizes group trips where others can join along and serve. Connor loves seeing new places and tends to add some kind of "thrill" and new experience into each one of his trips. WiGo Trips: Connor Coats IG: @travel_flex_repeat |
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Dominic Harris, The Loner and The Thrill Seeker
Los Angeles, CA USA A psychedelic artist who found a new appreciation for life, Dominic has been traveling abroad for ten years now and has learned so much on his travels. He has previously lived in Seoul, Korea as an English teacher which was the pivotal moment that sparked his curiosity for travel. Whether adventuring via a train, lounging on a beach, or diving into the unknown Dominic is looking forward to creating and sharing moments with other WiGo Members. WiGo Trips: Dominic Harris IG: @thouartloveinc |
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Jaden Allen, Adventurist and Voluntourist
Seattle, WA USA Originally from New York City and previously living in Springdale Utah, Jaden has an adventurous spirit. She is passionate about culture, people, and travel. Always evolving, she is often found exploring and learning new things. She's a firm believe that travel opens our worldview and makes people better global citizens. WiGo Trips: Jaden Allen IG: @jadenallen |
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Lou Gasco, Foodie and Culture Seeker
New York, NY USA Lou loves GREAT food, GREAT wine, and GREAT company and travels to find it! He enjoys exploring new sites, people, tastes, music, customs, languages, etc... He offers some of the best insight on New York City travel, camping in New York state, and traveling to Italy and Argentina. "Let's live life my friends!" - Lou WiGo Trips: Lou Gasco IG: @lougasco |
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Maddie Quinn, Culture Seeker
Denver, CO USA Maddie loves learning about history and culture of the places she visits. The desire to travel was imparted on her at a young age from her dad who grew up in Japan and her mother who spent a few years living in Guam. They always encouraged Maddie to take travel opportunities when they presented themselves. Maddie has traveled to Mexico, Nicaragua, the Bahamas, England, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Italy, and Ireland, and has studied abroad in Spain for an entire semester. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge on her bucket list worthy trips. WiGo Trips: Maddie Quinn IG: @quinnymads |
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Natasha Pearl Hansen, Socialite and City Slicker
Los Angeles, CA USA Natasha is an international touring standup comedian, actress and comedy writer with a love of not knowing where the night will take her and meeting interesting people around the world. She loves connecting and laughing with people everywhere while enjoying a beer and exchanging stories. She's a huge fan of exotic foods, unconventional fun, raw adventure, basking under the sun, and storytelling. Her go to trips include staying active during the day then hitting the town in the evening. WiGo Trips: Natasha Pearl Hansen IG: @NPHcomedy |
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Natela Manuntseva, Adventurist
Denver, CO USA An avid traveler with an adventure bug that is always in search of new journeys. From rustic to glamor, depending on the country and the mood she makes sure to take away the most out of each trip. WiGo Trips: Natela Manuntseva IG: @nat3la |
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Natalie Bright, Corporate Bohemian, Festi
San Diego, CA USA Natalie Bright is a TV host, producer and singer/songwriter who has attended over 40+ Music Festivals and the list keeps climbing. Natalie is continuously searching for small local businesses to support, new breweries to try, a street fair to attend, or a new stage to conquer. She is dedicated to bringing people together within the music industry and craves to creatively inspire those around her. Being a musician herself, Natalie has nurtured unique relationships in the music community, and it is her passion to share these intimate and special musical memories with other like-minded adventure seekers! WiGo Trips: Natalie Bright IG: @Nattybee37 |
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Todd Smidt, Explorer
Kansas City, MO Originally from Nebraska, Todd has lived on cruise ships sailing around the South Pacific, taught English in the Czech Republic, backpacked through Europe, and lived in Melbourne, Australia. Last year Todd went to Russia for the World Cup, Burning Man, Greece, and Portugal. He's a man of simple taste for travel, whiskey, words, and dad jokes. WiGo Trips: Todd Smidt IG: @todds_tales |
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Tom Knight, Culture Seeker, Digital Nomad, and Festi
Galloway, NJ USA Tom is a Creative Content Developer based in New York, who has a love for travel, meeting people from around the world, and capturing the moments most overlooked. Throughout his career, Tom has worked with some of the most incredible personalities in the world and educated himself in traditional cultures and creating lifelong networks of friends. He strives to be inclusive by offering what he most can: authentic and genuine intimate connection. Tom believes that these moments in one's life should push for change that create incredible memories. WiGo Trips: Tom Knight IG: @culturalvisionary |
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Yazmean Donaldson, Culture Seeker, Loner, and Adventurist
Chicago, IL USA A small town girl who is currently navigating a new big city, Yazmean is leveraging her passion for travel as a new way to explore culture and hear stories from others. She is looking forward to building new relationship with new friends she's never met before. WiGo Trips: Yazmean Donaldson IG: @y_donaldson_ |
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Zaric Eisenberg, Corporate Bohemian, Socialite, and Festi
Los Angeles, CA USA Zaric is a Latin dancer and instructor, whiskey connoisseur, and dog dad with Polish, Russian, South African, and Indian decent. Zaric spent over four years as a professional Latin dancer, performing at TedX and So You Think You Can Dance "Latin Edition". Zaric's trip incorporate cultural exploration food, music, and people. WiGo Trips: Zaric Eisenberg IG: @theeisenberger |
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Tristan Davis, Jetsetter
New York, NY USA Tristan is New York University student, backpacker, and world traveler. When traveling to new places he likes to focus on the urban and rural culture, art, ancient history, and street food. His favorite place so far is India. WiGo Trips: Tristan Davis IG: @tristans_expeditions |
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Victoria Nguyen, Adventurist and Entertainer
Los Angeles, NY USA Victoria is a Vietnamese and French model born in Germany who was raised in Poland. She has traveled all of her life and is "in love with places she's never been to". She's a free spirit who is in constant pursuit of new adventures. Her mission is to share her love of travel by creating shared moments with her guest. Victoria's ideal trips consist of days packed with epic adventures that are focused on crossing off the bucket list. She loves good times, spontaneous energy, unique foods, and most importantly great company! WiGo Trips: Victoria Nguyen IG: @hellovee93 |
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Payton Kirkpatrick, Recreationalist
Basking Ridge, NJ USA From a young age, Payton had a passion for stories. Stories told in creative and experiential ways and traveling is his opportunity to be immersed in real authentic stories of humanity. Payton believes that through sharing experiences and engaging with different cultures we begin to know ourselves and tap a whole new way of being. WiGo Trips: Payton Kirkpatrick IG: @kirkkid1015 |
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Kristin Marie Walstrom, Culture Seeker and Vacationer
Originally raised in a small town in Minnesota, Kristin Marie found her love of travel after joining the Navy where she toured the world. She wanted to soak up as much cultural experience as she could. Kristin Marie is a calendar person and likes creating a detailed schedule with lots of activities. WiGo Trips: Kristin Marie Walstrom IG: @poppin785 |
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Daniella Pascale, Culture Seeker and Adventurist
Lynbrook, NY USA Daniella loves to explore the history and culture of a place, especially places that she has a connection to, such as her heritage. She's a self proclaimed history nerd and loves to sightsee and learn about history where ever she finds herself. She loves to travel with her friends and meet new people from all over the world. Her dream trip is to one day visit Italy and collect postcards from each of the 50 states in the US. WiGo Trips: Daniella Pascale IG: @daniellapersonal |
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Ciceley Jackson, Jetsetter, Vacationer, Corporate Bohemian, and City Slicker
Moreno Valley, CA USA A true Cali girl, Ciceley has lived there her whole life, but every now and again finds herself escaping and traveling and diving into new foods and experiences. She's a woman who stays trending and is always open to a little adventure. WiGo Trips: Ciceley Jackson IG: @mzchoclate_c |