World Footprints:  The Story

Our Mission

ian and tonya

World Footprints:  The Story

“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” 

-- Chief Seattle

 

World Footprints is a heart-centered social impact travel media company that serves as a trusted resource for travelers who seek meaningful connections and deeper understanding through their journeys. Since its founding in 2007, World Footprints has been dedicated to uncovering untold stories and exploring destinations that challenge comfort zones. Through powerful written, audio and video storytelling, we open windows to the world, helping travelers overcome fears and misconceptions, inspiring them to engage with the world more consciously.

Founded by media-savvy lawyers Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick, World Footprints merges a passion for purposeful travel with a commitment to social justice. Our multi-award-winning podcast lies at the heart of our mission, offering socially conscious narratives that resonate with people of conscience. As we continue to evolve, World Footprints remains unique in its unwavering focus on illuminating our shared humanity. This core belief is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—a Zulu word meaning "I am because we are"—and the Hindu phrase Tat tvam asi, or "I see the other in myself and myself in others." These guiding principles of unity shape the impactful stories shared across our multimedia platform, including our website, podcast, and YouTube channel.

Transforming Travel Through Storytelling: Exploring Culture, History, and Social Impact

At World Footprints, our mission is to create a platform where all voices are heard and where honest, sometimes uncomfortable, stories are shared to foster growth and cross-cultural understanding. Central to our work are two powerful messages—the importance of “ground-truthing,” or seeking personal truths about people and places to challenge stereotypes, and the transformative power of travel to change perspectives and lives.

Since 2007, we’ve partnered with nonprofits and advocacy organizations, including the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, and hosted world figures, thought leaders, and cultural icons like Maya Angelou, Ken Burns, Jack Hanna, and Chef Cat Cora. Through their insights and our content, we highlight the deep connections between travel, culture, and social impact.

Travel, culture, history, and social impact shape everything we do at World Footprints, and we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across our platform, ensuring that every story we tell reflects the richness of our shared humanity.

Championing Inclusive Travel for All: Embracing Every Community, Ability, and Identity

At World Footprints, we are dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in travel, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to explore the world without limitations. Our commitment goes beyond race, gender, and ethnicity—we recognize the hidden challenges many travelers face, from physical disabilities and neurodiversity to body sensitivities, age, and other often-overlooked barriers.

We believe travel should be accessible to all, and our platform shines a spotlight on underrepresented communities and their unique journeys. By sharing stories of marginalized voices and advocating for accessible travel, we aim to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusion. We highlight the experiences of plus-size, senior, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent travelers, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.

As a 100% Black-owned, female-led company, we proudly challenge industry norms and use our influence to drive positive change. Our leadership in DEI initiatives, including our involvement in travel journalism associations and our diverse content curation, reflects our deep commitment to reshaping the travel industry. At World Footprints, we’re not just telling diverse stories—we’re creating a travel landscape where everyone, including those with hidden challenges, has the freedom to embark on their own adventure.

Meet Tonya and Ian

Our Mission - Travel journalists Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick

The Founders of World Footprints and Hosts of the multi award-winning World Footprints podcast are not typical travel journalists.

Travel has always been central to their lives. Read more

Founders

Tonya Fitzpatrick

Tonya Fitzpatrick

Co-founder

Ian NSA 001

Ian Fitzpatrick

Co-founder

Team

  • Terri Marshal head shot e1586704581773

    Terri Marshall

    Featured Writer, Managing Editor

    Based in New York City, Terri Marshall is an award-winning writer covering cultural travel, multi-generational travel, food, drink, road trips, cars and characters. From hanging out with penguins in Antarctica to fishing for piranhas in Peru, Terri’s always up for an adventure. Publication credits include AARP, SheBuysTravel, Girl Camper, Island Soul, Chilled, A Girls Guide to Cars, Alaska Business Magazine, North Hills Monthly, Around Wellington and more. Connect with Terri and see more of her work and radio appearances at www.trippingwithterri.com.
  • Ed Cole

    Edward Cole

    Producer

    Edward Cole is a professional photographer, videographer, editor, and on-air personality, with over 20 years of broadcasting and production experience. Currently, Edward is wearing many hats, as he’s a photographer/videographer for the Arizona Cardinals, Instant Replay Lead for the Arizona Coyotes, and Lead Photographer/Videographer for the Experience Tanner Ministry Team at Historic Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Edward’s very passionate about taking photos, and videos, and editing them in a way which draws the viewers in and tells them a very unique story with each piece of content. When Edward’s not busy in front of his laptop, he enjoys playing video games, and tending to his six chickens: Lucy, Polo, Smoothie, Gina, Pinky and Bombshell. Follow and contact Edward on Instagram and on Twitter.

Advisors

  • ElizaHeadshot 1

    Eliza Amon

    Advisor

    Eliza Amon is a seasoned journalist and editor with a deep passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail. As the former editor of World Footprints, Eliza was instrumental in guiding the magazine’s editorial direction, curating impactful stories that resonated with a global audience. Her leadership helped World Footprints become a beacon for insightful, culturally rich travel journalism, celebrating diversity and the power of travel to connect and transform us. Eliza has published in The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine and Bloomberg News among others.  She currently lives in Seattle where she is thrilled to have the opportunity to discover new adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Kerwin McKenzie head shot

    Kerwin McKenzie

    Advisor

    Kerwin McKenzie is a seasoned travel expert, content creator, author, and speaker with a unique background in the airline industry. Having spent 14.5 years working for four U.S.-based airlines, Kerwin has transformed his insider knowledge into a platform that inspires others to explore the world. To date, he’s flown on 181 airlines and traveled to 137 countries and territories (including 105 recognized by the UN). Originally hailing from Jamaica, his first international trip took him to Martinique, sparking a lifelong passion for travel. Through his various platforms, Kerwin delivers up-to-date guides on airports, destinations, and ground transportation, along with comprehensive airline and hotel reviews. His main site, Passrider.com, is specifically tailored to airline employees, motivating them to make the most of their travel benefits. Kerwin also caters to a broader audience with Cruisinaltitude.com, which offers detailed information about airline travel, and Unfamiliardestinations.com, where he highlights 365 lesser-known destinations. For those looking for local tips, his site DiscoveringHouston.net provides travel insights on Houston, Texas. And for food lovers, Kerwin shares his culinary skills, especially his passion for Jamaican cuisine, at CookingWithKerwin.com. A true aviation enthusiast, Kerwin flies as often as possible, sometimes just for the sheer joy of being in the air and around the world of airports and airplanes.
  • Michele Bisceglie 2014 Headshot crop

    Michele Bisceglie

    Advisor

    Michele Bisceglie is Director, Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for SCG Legal, a worldwide network of 120+ independent law firms dynamically connected across 60+ countries, as well as Principal/Founder of Butterfly Communications, a boutique consultancy that devises and implements targeted acquisition, retention, and expansion strategies for nonprofit and for-profit organizations with local to global impact. She has three decades of experience executing multifaceted business development, marketing, communications, sales, and/or fundraising initiatives for entities such as Legal Sales & Service Organization, LawVision, CEO Connection, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (now Dentons), Nixon Peabody LLP, Wiley LLP, Historic Charleston Foundation, Jekyll Island Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, ClubCorp (now Invited), Leadership Louisville Center, and SchenkelShultz Architecture. This exposure to a wide variety of business situations has nurtured Michele’s ability to adapt quickly to diverse environments, establish trust with stakeholders from grassroots to board level, and creatively unite people toward advantageous outcomes. She is a graduate of The Wharton School’s Business Acumen for Executives Certificate Program and Georgetown University’s Executive Nonprofit Management Certificate Program; has earned a Master Coach designation through Legal Sales & Service Organization’s Coaching Advantage© Certification Program and a Yellow Belt certification in Legal Lean Sigma® & Project Management through Legal Lean Sigma Institute; is a member of the Editorial Board for Legal Sales & Service Organization, an alumna (Class of XXVI) of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series® through Leadership Indianapolis, and a lifetime Auxiliary Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3137. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication (Journalism) from Purdue University.