I was born in 1941 in war-torn Britain, into a large family surrounded by nine aunts and uncles. My grandmother, who shaped much of my early life, remained a guiding influence even after I moved abroad.

I began my career in banking at the Bank of London and South America before emigrating to Canada in 1963 to work at the Bank of Montreal in Toronto. A year later, I settled in Phoenix, Arizona, where I worked at the First National Bank and built a career in computer programming, auditing, and eventually as Vice President of the Credit Card Department at Continental Bank. There, I helped launch one of the first debit card programs in the United States.

After Continental was acquired, I pivoted careers and discovered a new passion: travel. Partnering with Ford’s Travel in Arizona, I began escorting senior groups on cruises and land tours, a role I enjoyed for over a decade. Later, I continued my travel career with Pisa Brothers Travel in New York City until my retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, I call Arizona home once again, where I continue to share my love for exploration by teaching travel classes and writing about the adventures that shaped my life — including in my book, Where Have I Been All My Life.