I'm an award-winning editorial executive, content strategist and travel journalist, who serves travel clients via my consultancy, VS Content Strategies. I also serve as Executive Editor in Residence for Percepture Travel, a marketing communications agency.

Formerly, I served as Editor in Chief of the Travel Media Group at USA TODAY, where I set policy and oversaw a staff of reporters, editors and freelance columnists who produced travel content for the nation's largest newspaper and its travel website, reaching a combined daily audience of 6 million readers.

Previously I was the founding editor of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine, and have worked as a contract editor for the National Geographic Society, as travel editor of Americas magazine, as stringer for Time-Life News Service in West Africa. I was also a faculty member of the SATW Institute for Travel Writing & Photography for five years.

A travel junkie, I have visited 100 countries, reporting from many of them, and have also lived in Colombia and Niger. I believe travel can be a force for good in the world.

I frequently speak on travel trends, the travel industry, media and publishing for travel and publishing organizations, and have appeared as on-air expert on "Best Beaches of the World," a 12-part series that aired on the Travel Channel.