How it all began…

The journey of a thousand miles began with a single step - or in our case, a European backpacking trip in March 2004. While our founder, Jolie Emenike, explored Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland and England, she learned that close friends back home were making unwise choices that could have adverse effects on their future.

She was so moved by her experiences interacting with different cultures, languages and people that she could feel her inner worldview shift. She thought, “If my friends could be where I am, and see the world through my lens, they wouldn’t be making the decisions they’re making - they would think more broadly about their lives and what potential their future could hold.”

Ten years later, Jolie was married with a beautiful baby boy of her own, traveling to Italy for her sister's wedding with their closest friends and family. She was amazed watching her son - at the young age of three - soaking up the culture, the food, the language, and the experience. She was seeing firsthand the foundational effects travel has on children, as well as the deeper bonds made with travel companions. 

She thought, “If more families could experience this - being in a foreign land together, bonding, eating, and learning - their connections would be strengthened and relationships deepened.”

Jolie returned home with endless ideas for where she wanted to travel with her son, places to visit that aligned with his school studies. However, those dreams were put on hold when her marriage ended and life got in the way —rent, food, school fees — all took priority over travel. 

Her journey has helped her gained a deeper understanding of the barriers families face. She is determined to extend travel opportunities to children and families who may not have the means to do so on their own.

"By giving kids and families the chance to travel —together—, we can open up a whole new world of opportunities. Through the gift of travel, I believe that many of the challenges faced by kids today can be overcome, as they gain a wider worldview and a sense of purpose in their lives.”

- Jolie Emenike

Our Team

  • Jolie Emenike

    PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

    Jolie is an enthusiastic and collaborative leader with a track record of strong performance in high-volume, high-pressure environments both commercial and non-profit sectors. With a wide range of professional experiences before founding Connecting Flights, Jolie led the management of several specialty care practices for UCLA Health.

    Outside the office, Jolie enjoys spending quality time with her son and many outdoor activities such as camping, swimming, and hiking. In addition, she enjoys traveling and entertaining friends and family.

  • Cristin O'Leary Jones

    FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT

    Cristin is a nonprofit management and fundraising professional with a passion for serving organizations building future leaders. She has served as the Executive Director of Project Giving Kids, a national nonprofit connecting youth to meaningful volunteer service opportunities, as well as in the fundraising department at Kesem, a national nonprofit supporting children impacted by their parent’s cancer. Cristin earned her M.A. and B.S. in Political Science from Northeastern University in Boston and she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two kids.

  • Patrice Thomas

    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETING

    Patrice is an experienced tech marketing and partnerships leader with a reputation for executing innovative programs that address new business growth and awareness opportunities.

    Prior to joining Connecting Flights, Patrice has worn many hats in her career: marketer, events manager, video producer, website strategist, and creative director. She has organized two international conferences at the United Nations HQ, owned a professional golf team and even survived two whole weeks as a media buyer.

“I've been fortunate enough to travel to incredible places like Ireland and Egypt, and those experiences have played a massive role in shaping who I am today. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've had to learn and grow while exploring the world, and I'm thrilled to help others have similar experiences through Connecting Flights.”

- Cristin O’Leary Jones

“Having had the privilege to visit Europe before I entered Kindergarten, I believe that travel is an experience that everyone should be afforded. I can confidently say that being exposed to other cultures from a young age strengthened my intercultural awareness and shaped my worldview in favor of open-mindedness and acceptance.”

- Kendyl Thomas