Our Team
Joanna
Joanna is the founder of The Adroit Adventurer (TAA) and a lifelong traveler with a passion for exploring new cultures, uncovering hidden gems, and helping others navigate the world with confidence.
Her travels have taken her all over the world where she's experienced everything from unforgettable adventures to the unexpected challenges that come with international travel. Those experiences shaped her belief that the best trips begin with practical knowledge, thoughtful planning, and advice from people who have been there.
Professionally, Joanna has spent more than 25 years working with academic, government, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations in international affairs, security, and cross-cultural engagement. Her career has given her a unique perspective on global travel, risk awareness, and navigating unfamiliar environments - insights she now brings to every destination guide and travel resource she creates.
Through TAA, Joanna shares honest recommendations, practical travel tips, and lessons learned from firsthand experience to help travelers make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and enjoy richer, more meaningful journeys.
Whether you are planning your first international trip or adding another country to your passport, Joanna's goal is simple: to help you travel smarter, safer, and with greater confidence.
Mariah
Originally from Los Angeles, Mariah has a lifelong love affair with California and an equally strong passion for seeing what lies beyond it. A well-traveled explorer, she brings curiosity, creativity, and a sharp eye for the details that can turn a good trip into a great one.
As Editor-in-Chief, Mariah helps shape our stories, guides, and recommendations, making sure they are engaging, useful, honest, and worth your time. She loves discovering the character of a place through its neighborhoods, local spots, hidden gems, festivals, and, of course, a really good bookstore!
With a background in security and risk management, Mariah understands the importance of being informed, prepared, and aware, particularly when traveling in unfamiliar environments. She brings that perspective to TAA’s travel content, helping ensure our recommendations are not only inspiring and practical, but grounded in real-world considerations.
Whether she's exploring a favorite California town, navigating a festival, or wandering the streets of somewhere entirely new, Mariah is always looking for the places, experiences, and stories that make a destination memorable.