The Travel Tribe
It takes a village to raise a child and the same holds true for The Family Backpack website endeavor. The Family Backpack has met and worked with a tribe of writers, designers and marketers who are all incredible, well-traveled, brave moms & dads! Whether they’ve traveled across oceans, ponds, or puddles, The Family Backpack Tribe includes men & women who love exploring with their kids. A few of them have been instrumental in making The Family Backpack what it is today and they are here for the long, exciting journey ahead.
Andrea Khan
Chief Travel Officer and Founder
Andrea Khan is a mom to 3 kids 10 & under who has traveled to over 30 countries. Andrea has a background in consumer marketing and has worked for consumer brands such as DISH Network and Kohls. She is passionate about inspiring American families to travel more.
Sarah Wilson
Director of Travel Communications
Sarah Wilson, her husband, and their 3 girls have traveled extensively and have plans to do much more exploration with their little brood. Sarah has a background in writing, editing and public relations working with companies such as Yahoo!, Home & Garden Television and Nortel Networks. She writes about family travel at TheWanderingRumpus.com.
Andrea Zehnder
Creative Director
Andrea Zehnder has extensive digital agency experience as both a creative and as head of her own company working on major brands such as Philips Avent, Harley Davidson, and Mercury Marine. As a journalist, she authors Door County Mom— a website about a beautiful peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. Andrea is a mom to a world-traveling boy who’s adept at keeping track of where he’s been and where he’s going next.
The Family Backpack travel writers
Kristin George
Kristin George
Kristin George is a lifestyle + parenting writer and content creator living in Milwaukee, WI with her husband and three boys. In addition to her family and writing, she loves coffee, yoga, traveling, and making lists. You can connect with Kristin and read her blog over at dottedcomma.com.
Betty Strigen
Betty Strigens
As a child, Betty’s family took a lot of camping trips in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Study abroad in college fueled her travel bug on a global scale, and now, with a son living in Hawaii, she jets off whenever she can. Yet, it’s time spent back around the campfire – telling stories and singing songs – that continues to be the most meaningful to her. It’s travel “downtime” where she learns the most about people, her family and herself. Today she is a content strategist, copywriter, and songwriter living in Bay View, Wisconsin, with her husband and their two dogs, Waffles and Pablo.
Susan Finch
Susan Finch
Susan Finch is a travel writer and social media consultant who has been helping families find their “OMG why haven’t I ever come here before??” destinations for over 10 years. You can find her helping busy travel pros and bloggers crush the overwhelm of business building at LittleFinchCreative.com.
Molly Snyder
Molly Snyder
Molly Snyder is a senior writer at OnMilwaukee and the mother of two adventuresome teenaged sons. Molly’s top travel dream is to return to Guatemala with her sons, one of whom was born in Guatemala City.
Deb Andraca and her two daughters
Deb Andraca
When not planning travel or leveraging every last frequent flyer mile, Deb Andraca is an elementary school teacher in Milwaukee, WI. She and her family — husband, two teenage daughters, and their dog, spent two years living abroad in Singapore and exploring Southeast Asia. Her family’s trips include Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, China, New Zealand, Australia, Honduras, and Panama.
Kimberly Crawford
Kimberly Crawford is a travel writer and music journalist from Rochester, New York. She has always been an avid traveler and loves exploring new and off the beaten path destination with her husband and two children. When not traveling or attending a music event, she enjoys camping, kayaking, and hiking with her family. She spends a great deal of time finding fun and unique places to visit in New York to share with families on FamilyAdventuresInNewYorkState.com.
Ali Schiesl
Ali Schiesl has over 20 years working in brand management and product development in the fashion industry. Travel through work took her around the globe, fostered her love for other cultures and ignited her passion for more adventures. Ali is an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast. Her world changed with the addition of her son and every year she makes a point to take her family to a place they have never been.
Chez Chesak
Chez Chesak is a travel writer, tourism consultant and 15-year veteran of the travel industry. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally, and two daughters. An avid outdoors person and writer, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag.