vision activator | global community builder | curious creator
Hi, I’m Elizabeth.
Welcome to My Curio.
I am Elizabeth Scutchfield—a catalyst for change, a trusted confidant, a bridge-builder, and a nature enthusiast.
Defined by a pursuit of curiosity, I seek out opportunities to connect with People, Places, and Projects that deepen my understanding, keep me inspired, and enable me to contribute meaningfully…which has organically developed into my “Curio.”
Now I want to invite you to join me in getting to know the People who inspire, the Places that expand, and the Projects that pioneer. Let’s discover together!
Spotlight
What am I most excited to share among my current discoveries of projects, people, or places…
YouTube Catalytic Conversations
In December 2024 I launched my YouTube Channel to feature and celebrate leaders dedicated to growth, connection, and contribution
Choice People
People who are inspiring me through their efforts to create the future we want for humans, organizations, and nature.
Organizational Well-Being Specialist
Organizational Effectiveness & Mindfulness Facilitator
Education Innovator & Non-Profit Leader
Captivating Places
Places offering opportunities for rich cultural exchange, expansion of global perspectives, and awe-inspiring natural beauty.
What brought me to New Zealand did not follow the sparks of inspiration that have in the past, led me to other destinations. It was not a curiosity about the country’s commitment to responsible travel. It was not to connect with a culture or community. And it was not to indulge my appetite for natural beauty and outdoor adventures. It was to accompany my Dad on what might be one of his last great escapades, a celebration of his 80th birthday.
I felt called to Peru for various reasons. In April 2023, I read the Celestine Prophecy - a spiritual classic - which left a significant impression on me. It's about a young man who's drawn to Peru, and has a series of synchronistic encounters with different individuals in his travels that each have a wisdom message to impart. A book about travel as a tool for spiritual development, SOLD!
We began to have momentum onboarding property partners based in Peru through Postcard Travel Club in the winter of 2024 who were committed to responsible travel. I took this as my green light that the timing was right to cruise on down to see what life lessons were waiting for me.
I arrived to South Africa in September 2023 fresh off the heels of a Business of Conservation Conference hosted by the Africa Leadership University in Rwanda. My days preparing to depart were filled with foreshadowing of what I would get to explore deeper during my visit.
With many representatives from various South African private reserves present at the conference, there appeared to be a bit of a friendly sense of competition that existed between Rwanda and South Africa. Jokes were made about how nice it must be for South Africans to have escaped the loadshedding headaches, which are regular rolling blackouts due to insufficient generation energy capacity, that has haunted South Africa since 2007.
Compelling Projects
Unique and impact-driven projects that have captured my attention and what am I learning through them.
In January 2024, Postcard Travel Club had confidence in the value it was creating for both the partner community, which had grown to 71 properties across 23 countries, as well as the community of +2,500 conscious travelers that we had built. The foundation had been established in terms of getting the “right people in the room” who were values-aligned, and now it was time to shift towards strengthening the organization’s ability to deliver on the next phase of the concept, which included continued growth of the community, enhanced user experience, increased engagement with the platform, all to build towards launching a number of revenue streams. Based upon this, I stepped in with my background in Organizational Development and working with other start-ups who were preparing to scale, to help activate the organizational capacity of the Postcard Travel Club team.
In January 2023, I initiated a pilot Mastermind Group Coaching Cohort as a complementary offering to the 1:1 coaching sessions I conducted throughout the fall of 2022. Recognizing a shift away from the traditional "guru model" of teaching, I observed a growing desire for more intimate and curated communities that fostered positive, reciprocal relationships. This led me to explore a structure that could resonate with a group of values-aligned individuals with whom I had previously engaged in coaching.
In Spring of 2023, I took a course with the Transformational Travel Council (TTC) focused on “Experience Design” as I started to imagine whether I would want to design my own retreats, sabbaticals, or immersive voluntourism experiences as part of my coaching offerings.
Through my involvement with the TTC and the course, I met a number of inspiring leaders who had visions to make travel a force for good. In listening to their challenges, I realized my passion was most alive around playing a role in raising consumer awareness about the offerings this community was creating, which facilitated positive impact for both the traveler and the destinations they visited.
Updates from the Road
Insights I am excited to share as a human who is committed to learning, evolving, and growing.
I don’t know about you, but the intensity of 2026 feels wild, and unpredictable, much like the unbridled horse image that I kept imagining would be the energy of the “year of the horse,” which began Feb 17th.
But in reality, it has had very different physical manifestations than I anticipated - not quite the elegant mane flowing in the breeze with a clear sense of direction, but more like a horse that has been spooked and is running for its life, unsure if it will encounter a bramble patch at breakneck speed.
Well, we made it. 2025 is coming to a close, and for many in my circles, this has been a confronting year. Health issues, relationship endings, career pathways closing. All inviting a new level of surrender to dissolution, without a lot of clarity on what might be on the other side. Do we double down on what we know, or is life steering us in an entirely new direction?
Waiting. Interesting as I write that word, I think of how it actually has the word “weight” in it. I imagine those x-ray jackets that they put on you at the dentist, that literally feel like they are holding you down. This past four months has had a lot of that energy, and as someone who likes to be on the move, it is not my favorite posture.
Designing a Life You Love with Elizabeth Scutchfield
Taking Inspired Action and Designing a Life of your Dreams
Leading when it's uncomfortable
Human-Centered Design Workshop and National Association for International Educators Conference Host
3 Truths that can get us past our Writing “Stage Fright”
Slow down to go fast: Bringing your values and strengths to Entrepreneurship
Healing from Inherited Trauma
Lessons my 18 year old self taught me at 40
Building and delivering programs that equip learners for the future world of work
Featured
Get to know me by reviewing some of my collaborations
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“Elizabeth has played a crucial role in brand activation, advancing the Postcard project with her positive energy, integrity, and open-minded approach to problem-solving.”
Amit Jaipuria
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"Elizabeth is an incredibly perceptive and empathetic and a great person to work with. She has been my trusted sounding board and a perpetual source of inspiration on my personal journey."
Jack Smith
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"Elizabeth brought unrelenting optimism, strong relationship skills, autonomy, awesome event production skills, speaker/presentation skills, fun, and enormous care for our students and graduates."
Jeff Malek
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"Elizabeth has impressed me as a collaborative leader who builds high-value relationships, and drives connection and shared value among ecosystem partners."
Demi Oluwasina
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"Elizabeth supported us at a time when we were trying to expand our reach and was a wonderful asset in activating our brand."
Sarah King
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"Elizabeth’s gentle and insightful guidance in one on one coaching sessions allowed me to draw out and trust my truest core values and consider my path in a new light."
Sasha Dimitrevic
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"Elizabeth combines big picture, strategic thinking with an ability to operationalize programming suggestions. She knows how to recognize and articulate people's needs."
Julie Pham
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"Elizabeth involved group members in co-creating sessions that provided a platform for experimentation and self-expression but also generated insight and inspiration for the members of the group."
Danielle Martin