From relaxing beach getaways to exploring new cities and spending time with family and friends, our team made the most of the summer months. With busy schedules and plenty of time spent in the office, summer is always a good reminder to step away, recharge and make some memories along the way.
This summer, our team traveled near and far – exploring new places, revisiting favorite destinations, and enjoying everything from long weekends to once-in-a-lifetime adventures. We asked our colleagues to share where they went, what they loved most, and the highlights they’ll be bringing back with them.
Megan Williams: Vietnam and Thailand
Megan traveled to Vietnam and Thailand with her MBA classmates and friends. In Ho Chi Minh City, she took part in an MBA course that included visits to businesses across a dozen industries to learn about the realities of doing business in an emerging market. She then traveled to Krabi and Bangkok, where she enjoyed island-hopping tours, a cooking class, an elephant sanctuary and visits to temples.
Teagan Gara: Lake Geneva, Nashville, Bone Lake and Champaign
Teagan made the most of her summer by traveling to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Nashville, Tennessee; Bone Lake, Wisconsin; and Champaign, Illinois, celebrating some pretty major milestones along the way. One of the biggest highlights was being in her best friend’s wedding – a friendship that dates all the way back to second grade! Teagan was even there when the couple first met in sixth grade, making it especially meaningful to celebrate their wedding surrounded by family and friends. She also reunited with her college friends for a long-awaited trip to Bone Lake, where the group was finally able to get everyone together again for the first time since 2023.
And, of course, the summer ended on a high note with her trip to Champaign to celebrate her triplet brother’s wedding. Between her brother’s wedding, her other brother’s best man speech and plenty of dancing, it was a summer filled with family, friends and unforgettable celebrations.
Laura Cantagallo: The Bahamas
Laura spent part of her summer soaking up the sun in Exuma, Bahamas, traveling with her roommate to explore the island’s beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. The trip was filled with plenty of adventure, including snorkeling, boating through the different cays and visiting the famous Exuma pigs. The biggest highlight, though, was swimming with the nurse sharks at Compass Cay. Despite being sharks, the nurse sharks were surprisingly friendly, making for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Caroline Chmelko: Jamaica
Caroline traveled to Jamaica with friends from college, where she got to swim in the bioluminescent waters of the Luminous Lagoon. Her favorite part of the trip was experiencing the magical glow of the water at night.
Clark Stuart: Scotland
Clark traveled to Scotland with his family this summer, road-tripping through the stunning Scottish Highlands and visiting places connected to his ancestors. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Loch Ness – although, unfortunately, there were no monster sightings!
Holly Kapsimalis: Greece and Germany
Holly spent the summer traveling with her family, visiting Greece and Germany. A highlight of the trip was visiting Greece for the first time, as well as conquering her fear of heights by climbing to the top of Freiburg Minster, a stunning Gothic cathedral in Freiburg, Germany, which stands 116 meters tall. Despite being extremely scared of heights, Holly made it all the way to the top!
Chris Cordova: Machu Picchu, Peru
Chris traveled to Peru with his wife, Nora, for a summer adventure filled with incredible sights and experiences. The highlight of the trip was getting to share one of the world’s most iconic destinations with her – visiting Machu Picchu together.
Kierlyn Seeley: Mexico City, Lake of the Ozarks, and Puerto Rico
Kierlyn traveled to Mexico City, Lake of the Ozarks and Puerto Rico with friends and family. Her favorite parts included exploring the incredible food scene in Mexico City and spending time on her friend’s boat at the Ozarks. With Puerto Rico just two days away, she’s already looking forward to soaking up the beaches and enjoying plenty of piña coladas!
Alyssa Gruneberg: Nashville, Tennessee and Florida
Alyssa started her summer with a trip to Nashville in May to celebrate her sister’s 21st birthday! Later, in July, she traveled with her parents to visit her sister in Florida, where they enjoyed beach days, food festivals and even got to pet a baby alligator. The highlight of the vacation was a day trip to Ginnie Springs, an outdoor park known for its crystal-clear, 72-degree turquoise water and extensive underwater cave systems.
Beth Cubriel: Southeast Conference Universities and Colleges
Beth and her family hit the road for a tour of the Southeast, combining college visits for her daughter with plenty of family fun along the way. The trip included a stop in Pinehurst for some golf, along with time spent exploring beaches, history and the many places that make the Southeast special. Having spent time in the region before, Beth and her husband especially enjoyed experiencing it all together for the first time through their daughters’ eyes – making for a memorable family adventure.