About

Joelle Machia is a travel writer, content creator, and public speaker whose work focuses on cultural understanding, responsible tourism, and meaningful global connection. As co-founder/owner of Wanderers Compass, she helps guide the voice and vision of a storytelling platform dedicated to travel that is thoughtful, immersive, and respectful of local communities.

Joelle brings a unique interdisciplinary background to the travel space. She holds degrees in Nursing and Behavioral Sciences, an academic foundation that shapes her human-centered perspective and deep interest in how travel impacts well-being, communication, and cross-cultural understanding. Her professional experiences have strengthened her ability to approach storytelling with empathy, accuracy, and care, qualities that define her writing and speaking style.

In addition to her work in media, Joelle serves as a United Nations Representative with the United Nations ECOSOC, where she advocates for sustainable and ethical approaches to tourism and global engagement. Her voice extends beyond the page through podcasting and keynote speaking, where she encourages audiences to see travel as a bridge between cultures rather than simply a leisure activity.

Her contributions to the travel industry have earned international recognition, including two honors from the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards, celebrating her leadership in purposeful travel storytelling.

At the heart of Joelle’s work is a guiding belief: travel should deepen understanding, support communities, and leave both visitors and destinations better than before.