M.J. Kietzke, CTC

M.J. Kietzke’s love for travel first surfaced when she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer at the Ministry of Agriculture in Barbados (1972-1975). She founded The Travel Specialists in 1985, and joined The Travel Collaborative in 1986 as a senior partner.

For two decades, M.J. has been a leader and a driving force in the responsible travel and environmental tourism movements. As the current director of Co-op America Travel-Links, she works with concerned citizens across the nation who want to invest their travel dollars in ways that make a positive difference in the world — both culturally and environmentally. She also speaks at conferences and conducts interviews worldwide to educate herself, her clients, and others about responsible tourism. An avid scuba diver and adventure traveler, MJ counts Bonaire, Costa Rica, Peru, The Galapagos Islands, Tanzania, and Fiji among her favorite destinations.

M.J. is equally committed to improving the world at the local level. In 1990, she co-founded Eagle Eye Institute, a nonprofit environmental education organization that provides access to hands-on exploratory learning on environmental topics, inspires young people to join community service and stewardship programs, and helps build career bridges for underserved urban youth interested in working with natural resources.

• National Arbor Day Foundation Advertising and Public Relations Award for Eagle Eye Institute’s “Trees Are My Friends” national campaign (2002)
• Third Goal Service Award, Returned Peace Corps (2001)
• Environmental Achievement Award, American Society of Travel Agents (2000)
• CUP (Cut Unnecessary Plastic) Program founder (1997); CUP encourages travelers to carry their own drinking cup on board an airplane or use just one cup during the flight

Susan McGonagle, CTA 

You might find her snowshoeing in Vermont or deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic, or perhaps scuba diving, mountain biking, or hiking. Passionate and full of energy, Susan McGonagle (who also gardens and studies wine) brings enthusiasm to her travels — and to everything she does.

A travel agent since 1987, Susan joined The Travel Specialists in 1999 and now works with an extensive collection of loyal clients. Over the years, she has broadened her travel expertise through journeys to a wide range of countries and continents, including Africa, India, Hong Kong, and Iceland. “Life is too short to stay home,” says Susan, who has explored Italy, France, and other European nations, as well as Caribbean islands such as St. Lucia and Dominica. Recent forays into Central and South America have taken her to Bolivia, Belize, and Costa Rica.

“I love what I do,” she explains, “and I love providing a service that clients appreciate. My experience as an agent covers corporate travel as well as leisure travel, which lets me work with a mix of different people — and keeps every day interesting.”