Joelle Machia

Joelle Machia is an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Wanderers Compass. A lifelong traveler and first-generation American born to French parents, she has been traveling since childhood. Today, she and business partner Ryan Slough travel extensively, seeking authentic experiences, fascinating history, local food and wine, and places that are often missed along the way. She has visited more than 150 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and writes for Luxe Beat Magazine, Wander With Wonder, Food, Wine & Travel Magazine, Parks & Travel Magazine, Reviewed, Big Blend Media, and Forbes. Joelle is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, ITWA, and Forbes Business Council, a Global Advisory Member of Forttuna Business Council, and a United Nations Representative of the AWWG to ECOSOC. Her honors include the Forttuna Global Power 100, Class of 2025, and Forttuna Global Excellence Awards for Travel Content Creator of the Year and Travel Influencer of the Year. Her goal is simple: share what she learns along the way, be honest about the experience, and help others get out there and see more of the world.