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I grew up with parents who believed deeply in the power of travel. They saw it as a way to learn, connect, and understand the world beyond your own experience. Those early trips didn’t just spark my love for exploration—they shaped how I see the world and laid the groundwork for what would eventually become my career. When we built the SmartFlyer brand, it was rooted in that same spirit of curiosity and resonance. I’ve always believed the most meaningful journeys begin when you put the traveler at the heart of it all.
As SmartFlyer has evolved, naturally, so has my role. Today, I lead the team that builds our community and shapes experiences through the lens of travel. Our story began with a gap in travel planning. We envisioned a travel brand for today, shaped by people who truly live to travel, created for clients who seek more—more substance, more style, and more soul—in every journey. What began as a small idea and guiding light has grown into a global network of 250 incredibly talented advisors. Together, we design thoughtful, one-of-a-kind itineraries for a breadth of discerning travelers, always with the goal of making each trip feel personal, inspired, and a little over-the-top in the best possible way.
New York always feels like the center of the universe—but especially in this industry. As a global gateway, it’s a place where people I’ve met from everywhere are constantly coming and going, making it uniquely connected to the rest of the world. That sense of movement and exchange creates a dynamic, ever-evolving energy within the local travel community.
But what truly sets it apart is the spirit of the people. For such a fast-paced city, the New York travel community is incredibly warm, generous, and collaborative. It’s a tight-knit group that thrives on sharing knowledge, celebrating each other’s wins, and showing up for one another. It doesn’t feel transactional; it feels personal. Some of my closest friendships have come from this world, which I think speaks to the kind of people who are drawn to travel: endlessly curious, relationship-driven, and united by a passion for connection—both with the world and with each other.
It always begins with the traveler. The best advisors are great listeners, not just to what’s being said, but to what’s perhaps between the lines. We take into account past journeys, current curiosities, and the quiet details that make someone feel truly seen and known. From there, it becomes a creative process of designing something that reflects who they are and how they want to feel. The destination is important, but the traveler is the inspiration—every great trip starts and ends with them at the center of it all.
Art has always been one of the most powerful storytellers, and in many ways, travel is about seeking out stories, whether they’re told through a landscape, a meal, or a museum wall. My involvement with Zeitz MOCAA began from that shared belief in the importance of perspective, context, and representation. It’s not just a museum; it’s a cultural touchstone for the continent and a space that champions contemporary African artists whose voices deserve a global stage. Supporting the institution through American Friends of Zeitz MOCAA is one way I stay connected to the creative energy coming out of Africa, a region that’s been personally and professionally meaningful to me. Art and travel both ask us to pause, to look closer, and to be changed by what we see. I can’t imagine one without the other.
@erinapindar
@smartflyer
www.smartflyer.com