Hi, I'm Heather, owner of Catalyst Travel Design. I research, plan, and customize 4 and 5 star travel experiences. Most people know me from my former career as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. I spent 20 years in the science field and enjoyed many aspects of my job. But after substantial changes in the world, and after I returned from a transformative journey of living aboard a sailboat for 4 months, I knew it was time for the next chapter in my life. After thoughtfully considering what my ultimate calling was, I knew there was nothing more exciting and fitting than to become a travel advisor! By bringing my research skills, attention to detail, and love of learning, I am able to provide a valuable travel planning service based on my unique abilities. A trusted advisor is someone who values building relationships with clients so we know your likes and dislikes and can customize an ideal experience for you. With support from my well-respected host agency, Largay Travel, I'm excited to become your luxury travel advisor! 

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From the time I was a kid, I was fascinated by destinations and cultures far away from my small hometown in Florida. I planned to sign up for biochemistry the summer before my final year in college. However, as I was strolling through campus one day, I came across a booth with study abroad program brochures. I was intrigued. All programs were full, except for one. I had a life-changing choice to make that day. Biochemistry ... or Spain? I chose Spain! I spent that summer living in a dorm at the University of Madrid, studying Spanish art and history while traveling throughout the country. We would study artists such as Salvador Dali, Gaudi, and Picasso, then take day trips to the museums that displayed their original art. We studied Spanish history, then visited historic places such as the Alhambra, Santiago de Compostela, and Toledo.   

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Every experience during that study abroad stay drew me in, and I knew I had started down a path of lifetime travel. I went on to graduate with a B.S. in chemistry and spent the next several years in science. During those years, my love of travel deepened with a 3-month solo trip to Europe, a 3-month live-aboard sailing trip from Florida to the Bahamas, and countless domestic journeys. In 2019 I decided it was time to hang up my lab coat and leave the science world behind. By becoming a travel advisor, I was able to finally tap into my creative side and apply it to my love of the travel planning process.   

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The year 2020 was crazy for all of us. It was particularly crazy for me, considering I packed my belongings and moved aboard a sailboat full-time, spending almost 4 months at sea as a pandemic began to unfold. It was barely on the radar when my boyfriend and I set sail the first week of January. We knew it would be challenging, but boy, we had NO IDEA.  We made our way from Florida to the Bahamas, navigating through storms, mechanical breakdowns, and ultimately border closings.  We were able to check into customs just in time, but restrictions began mounting quickly and all boaters were forbidden to go ashore. We had three weeks of total isolation anchored offshore, until we respectfully conceded as the Bahamian Prime Minister requested all non-citizen cruisers to return to their home country.  

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Although this expedition was challenging, it certainly had its rewards. We were able to face these challenges head-on and work through them as a team. This transformative experience, in addition to my previous adventures, is what solidified the decision to change my life course and take on a new career. My mission is to inspire travel and design an experience that can also transform you. It may not be as extreme as my adventures, but I have certainly paved the way for you and earned my “street cred”. By providing a connection and experience for you, I am also able to feed my own craving for a global connection. I'm also able to help you avoid the pratfalls that can come with travel in an ever-changing world so you can enjoy the ride and leave the hard work to me. Everybody wins.