Meet the Hero Travel Fund Finalists!
Meet the 2025 Hero Travel Fund Finalists
We have been touched and humbled by the incredible response and quality of applicants to the first-ever Hero Travel Fund. It has been truly inspiring to connect with these real-life heroes to learn about the amazing work they are doing, the passion they have for changing lives, and the impact they are making in the world. We have been inspired to hear so many stories of transformation, hope, and unwavering dedication to making our world a better place. Every finalist was deserving of the HTF award, and picking a winner was so tough we decided to award 2 Hero Travel Funds this year! These two stood out above the crowd as exemplars of what it means to be heroes in their communities! Read more about them below.
Keishanna Rasin — 1st Place Winner!
Newark, NJ | Subrogation Specialist
Keishanna is a Brooklyn native who is on a mission to sprinkle kindness across the globe. She started her work career in New York City in programs such as Close2Home, foster care facilities, and transitional housing. Keishanna is currently working in the insurance industry while she plots her next move. Outside of work, she is an adventure-seeker and nature-lover who has a 100+ lbs furry child.
HTF Travel Experience: Shanna is working with the Explorer X Team to plan a Destination: Unknown adventure!
> Watch Shanna’s application vide0!
> Watch Shanna’s ‘reveal’ video as she finds out she is the HTF winner!
Katie Lotz — 2nd Place Winner!
New York City | English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher
Katie is a teacher at a public high school in the Lower East Side of New York City. She teaches English as a New Language (ENL) to students from around the world, many of whom have only recently arrived in the US. A longtime language learner, Katie studied Mandarin Chinese for many years and continues her studies of Spanish to this day. Outside of work, Katie enjoys yoga, hiking, and the beach. She also loves karaoke! Her go-to song is “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse.
HTF Travel Experience: Katie and her fiancé are working with the Explorer X Team on planning their honeymoon to Slovenia!
> Read Katie’s heartfelt application essay here!
> Watch Katie’s ‘reveal’ video here as she finds out she won 2nd Place in the HTF!
Michele Zachary – Finalist & Hero
Lakeside, MT | Registered Respiratory Therapist, NPS
Michele has worked in a healthcare field for the last 25 years, 23 as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. She primarily works in the neonatal and pediatric areas. She enjoys her job, even on the hard days. When she’s not at work at the hospital, she volunteers her time between two non-profits: She Jumps as an event coordinator and, secondly, her local alpine race team. She’s also married to a firefighter and is a mother to two active kids! When not at work, Michele enjoys skiing, gardening and being in the sunshine!
Dream Travel Experience: Italy & Southern France
Leslie Jirsa – Finalist & Hero
New York City | NYC Master Teacher
Leslie is one of 43 New York City Public School Master Teachers, spending part of her day as a teacher and also empowering the teachers she works with as an instructional coach. She left a career in print and documentary journalism after realizing the interviews, footage, and historical research she conducted made her want to work with human beings before the hardened layers of trauma had settled in — before they were forced to “build resilience.” She loves connecting with people, languages, and cultures.
Dream Travel Experience: Ecuador
The Hero Travel Fund will return in 2026!
This inaugural HTF award has been such an incredible and inspiring process for our team and the applicants, and we can’t wait to send one of these heroes out on their dream travel experience. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about or applying for future HTF awards, click the button below.