Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick, Esqs.
Creators, Travel’n On Media Productions, LLC and World Footprints Network
As creators of the World Footprints Network and hosts of the award-winning World Footprints Radio Show (formerly Travel’n On Radio), Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick voice in travel media is very unique. Through their multi-media platforms the couple fosters global citizenship and better footprints by celebrating responsible travel, culture and heritage. The Fitzpatricks connect with their fans via radio, tv and multiple other media outlets and within their community of influence they promote socially conscious travel and the legacy of positive footprints by:
- Fostering cross-cultural understanding and friendships
- Promoting authentic and transformational travel experiences that respect cultural heritage and supports voluntourism and travel philanthropy.
- Encouraging positive impacts on local people, their environments and culture by promoting fair trade principles that support local merchants and improves local economies
- Promoting travel choices that minimize negative environmental impacts
- Educating and entertaining travelers by offering substantive travel-relevant dialogues wtih celebrities, newsmakers, industry experts and government oficials.
Both attorneys, Tonya and Ian left their law practices and political jobs behind when their mutual love of travel led them to create their unique global community through their travel radio show and ever-expanding multimedia platforms, which now includes Internet TV, the World Footprints blog, Twitter, Facebook and other social network platforms that allow them to stay connected to their loyal following of fellow travelers and global citizens.
Prominent personalities who have appeared on World Footprints Radio include: philanthropist David Rockefeller, Jr.; actress and wildlife advocate Stefanie Powers; Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler; NASCAR icon Kyle Petty; Rajmohan Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi); Travel Channel hosts Samantha Brown, Andrew Zimmern and Kirsten Gum; acclaimed photojournalist Paola Gianturco; music legend Charmaine Neville; Grammy-winner Irvin Mayfield; and many more authors, celebrities and newsmakers.
Influential commentators, journalists, and thought leaders in the travel space, Tonya and Ian have been heard or seen on NPR, MSNBC.com, CNN.com, Retirement Living TV, CBS and NBC (Washington, DC affiliate stations) and more. As members of the Society of American Travel Writers, the National Press Club, the North American Travel Journalists Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists, Tonya and Ian have credibility in influential travel circles.
ABOUT TONYA FITZPATRICK
Tonya is the executive producer and co-host of World Footprints Radio and chief executive officer of Travel’n On Media Productions, LLC. Her former legal career included an appointment as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, and she previously served under a federal defense contract as the Senior Legal Advisor for the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Today, she enjoys her role as a travel journalist and frequently covers the White House and Congress. In addition, Tonya covers the Washington tourism scene for Examiner.com and she is currently writing a chapter in a new book entitled Success Simplified with Stephen Covey.
Tonya’s life has consisted of many exciting travel experiences. She has lived, studied and worked abroad in England, China, Russia and Romania and her many travels have taken her through many regions of the world including a backpacking trip through several countries in Asia. As an avid scuba diver and ocean conservationist, she naturally gravitates to coastal areas. However, she loves the mountains and is an adventure traveler and is preparing to trek through Nepal and climb Kilimanjaro in the near future.
Tonya graduated from the London School of Economics, East China University of Law and Politics, and Wayne State University Law School. She also won a fellowship at Michigan State University in the Michigan Political Leadership Program. She is a student of the arts and previously worked at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and the Globe Theatre (under the late Sam Wannamaker) in London. Her greatest education, however, has come through traveling and meeting the beautiful citizens of our world.
ABOUT IAN FITZPATRICK
Ian serves as producer and co-host of World Footprints Radio and chief strategist for Travel’n On Media Productions, LLC. Ian has a long history of travel and travel industry experience, having previously served as a financial analyst in corporate planning and labor relations at Northwest Airlines. His decades of leisure and business travel have provided him with a wealth of travel knowledge. Ian also covers airlines and airports for the Washington edition of Examiner.com and he is collaborating with Tonya on the chapter in Stephen Covey’s book, Success Simplified.
As an architecture and urban planning enthusiast, Ian’s passion is visiting cities that have notable architecture, and immersing himself in heritage and cultural travel. He is also a sports travel enthusiast who frequently travels to see his favorite teams play and enjoys visiting stadiums and arenas all over the world.
Ian’s professional resume also includes an appointment as Assistant General Counsel at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. As an Assistant State’s Attorney and Special Assistant City Solicitor for Baltimore City, Ian was assigned to the Department of Housing and Community Development. Ian has worked in private practice as an antitrust, commercial litigation, and business lawyer for several Washington law firms, including Kirkland & Ellis, Kellogg Huber Hansen Todd Evans & Figel, and Covington & Burling.
Ian graduated from the University of Michigan, where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science and M.B.A. He received his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo where he was a member of the Buffalo Law Review. Ian holds membership in the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars.
Little known facts: Tonya and Ian’s life together has a strong travel theme. Tonya only agreed to meet Ian after she learned that Ian had a “used” passport (i.e., international stamps). Their first trip together was to the Dominic Republic. Ian proposed to Tonya in Toronto (that’s an amazing engagement story), they married in Bermuda (accompanied by dozens of family and friends) and they honeymooned in South Africa. That was just the beginning of their story….
The couple has not looked back and they continue to “travel with purpose.” They thank their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all of the blessings they’ve received and for all of the new travel experiences to come.
