Founder + CEOTravara
Michelle Martin is a strategic management and communications professional with over 20 years experience working in the climate, technology, travel, nonprofit and entertainment industries. Her unique blend of experience combines strategic communications with global development, with an emphasis on social responsibility and initiatives working on climate solutions, economic and social impact.
A versatile, bilingual Latina leader with extensive global experience, Michelle founded Travara, a media platform dedicated to regenerative and sustainable tourism that Fast Company named a World Changing Idea in 2020. Michelle also founded Karuna International, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing global awareness and global service learning among underserved youth and young adults.
Currently, Michelle is executive producing climate solutions focused content for Grounded, a philanthropic organization committed to identifying, advancing and scaling climate solutions that ensure a livable planet. While leading global communications and marketing for Qualcomm's social impact division, she executive produced the award-winning documentary, Power of 9, which chronicled the power of mobile technology to transform lives in Colombia, India and the Philippines.
Michelle has been a freelance journalist since 2009 and her work has been published in outlets such as Vogue, Entrepreneur and Newsweek. As a columnist for Forbes, Michelle has written over 50 articles covering the intersection of travel and social impact.
Before studying Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Stanford University, Michelle received a M.A. in Leadership & Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego and a B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara. She has been been to more than 60 countries and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Inc., Success and Mashable for her work in global development and sustainable tourism.