MARINEL M. DE JESUS, esq.
mountain nomad social entrepreneur
public speaker
In a time of destruction, create something.
- Maxine Hong Kingston
testimonials
“Very inspiring speech! Very powerful and authentic!”
“Your speech was captivating but touching too...enjoyed it very much!”
“Great personal story!”
speaking topicS
OUTDOOR & TRAVEL INDUSTRY TOPICS
JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY
DECOLONIZING THE TREKKING TOURISM INDUSTRY & THE NEED FOR WORKFORCE EQUITY
PORTERS AND THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS IN PERU, NEPAL, AND TANZANIA
community-led tourism: elevating indigenous voices
women porters: creating gender equity on the trails of Peru, Nepal & tanzania
TRAVEL STORYTELLING: HOW TO ELEVATE VOICES & CREATE EQUITY
PERSONAL JOURNEYS & SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LEVERAGE YOUR MARGINALIZED IDENTITIES TO ADVANCE AS A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
How to Overcome Fear of Change
What (Solo) Traveling Teaches You About Life
No Boundaries: How to be Fearless
How Hiking (the Outdoors) Makes You Successful In Life
WOMEN-FOCUSED Topics
How Outdoors Shape Women Leaders
Gaining Independence: Solo Traveling & Trekking
Wilderness Backpacking 101 for Women
The Art of Solo Travel as a Woman
WORKSHOPS
WILDERNESS BACKPACKING 101 SERIES
The Wilderness Backpacking 101 Series includes the following subtopics. Each subtopic can be a workshop on its own.
1. Intro to Backpacking
2. International Wilderness Backpacking
3. A Guide to Preparing for HIGH-ALTITUDE Trekking
THE ART OF SOLO TRAVEL
The Art of Solo Travel Workshop addresses the following:
1. The research and planning aspect of it.
2. Safety concerns: myths v. reality of solo traveling.
3. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - being culturally sensitive, mental approach to traveling solo, surviving language barriers, diet/nutrition, fitness, insurance, how to make friends, AND other scenarios you would need to prep for.
4. Must have gear & recommendations.
5. Travel resources and solo travel communities.
Both workshops can be facilitated for co-ed or WOMEN-ONLY AUDIENCES.
“We define the meaning of freedom in our lives. Nature does its wonders to get us there.”
prior events
Climb with a Conscience: Workforce Equity in the Trekking Industry, 57 Hours.
Let’s Talk Hiking in the MiddleEast, Travel Hero Podcast, ITB Berlin, June 2022.
Advancing Porter Rights on the Inca Trail, Tourism Alert & Action Forum & The Porter Voice Collective, September 2021.
Panel Speaker: Our Home: A New Vision for the Future of the Outdoors. Outdoor Retailer, January 2018 show.
Speaker: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Luncheon. Outdoor Retailer, July 2018 show.
Panel Speaker: What's Your Travel Niche? Innovative Business Models session of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Global Conference 2017 in San Diego, California, August 27-29.
Keynote Speaker: Northern Virginia Community College on "Beauty and Vulgarity: How Beauty is Perceived in the Outdoors" in Annandale, Virginia, November 6, 2017.
TESTIMONIALS
“Great class! I learned a lot!”
“Awesome, inspiring crash course! Can’t wait to see you all again and adventure together!”
“Thanks BGTrekker. Looking forward to our backpacking trip in West Virginia!”
“Very experienced backpacker, structured and interactive class. Full of tips and ideas!”
For more information about Brown Gal Trekker, check the About Me page.