OUR STORY

About Catalyst Curations

Designing experiences that reveal what's possible.

WHO WE ARE

Our Mission

"To design experiences that reveal what's possible."

We believe experiences have the power to change the trajectory of a life. Through discovery, exploration, and meaningful connection, we help people uncover new interests, broaden their perspective, and imagine new possibilities for themselves, their families, and their future.

Catalyst Curations designs conservation-centered travel and learning experiences that connect people with nature, science, and each other — in places and moments that matter.

A sea turtle swimming underwater against a blue background. 
OUR TAGLINE

Where Curiosity Becomes Possibility™

THE TEAM

Meet the People Behind the Experience

Smiling woman with long, wavy, light brown hair, wearing glasses, a white top, and gold jewelry, sitting in a car.

Jena Hernandez

M.Ed.

Jena is a workforce development strategist, travel advisor, and experiential curator who believes deeply in the power of real-world experiences to change the trajectory of a life. Through Catalyst Curations Powered by Fora Travel, she designs journeys that help participants explore new possibilities, build meaningful connections, and discover what comes next.

Focus: Experiential Travel • Workforce Development • Opportunity Pathways • Community Building

Two women on a boat smiling with sunglasses, water, mountains, and a clear blue sky in the background.
Close-up of a woman with light skin, blue eyes, and reddish-brown hair, sitting inside a vehicle.

Stephanie Scimeca

M.A. Biology · M.Ed.

Stephanie is a STEM educator whose passion for marine biology, experiential learning, and student development helps shape the educational framework behind Sea Turtle Summer™. With a Master's in Biology and a Master's in Education, she brings the rigor of a scientist and the heart of an educator to the learning experiences, conservation programming, and discovery tools that support participants throughout their journey.

Focus: Marine Biology • STEM Education • Conservation Learning • Experience Design

Where Curiosity Becomes Possibility™

Together, Stephanie and Jena bring more than 30 years of combined experience across education, science, workforce development, experiential learning, and travel.

Two women taking a selfie at a restaurant, smiling and enjoying themselves.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Why we build this way

Every design decision we make traces back to four core beliefs.

Curiosity becomes possibility

The best experiences don't just inspire — they open doors. We design every journey so participants leave knowing who to meet, what to study, where to volunteer, and what to do next.

Travel should mean something

We don't believe in travel for travel's sake. Every Catalyst Curations experience is designed to leave the ecosystem better than we found it — and the participant changed by it.

Conservation requires connection

People protect what they love. And love requires encounter. Our model puts families in direct, respectful contact with the species and ecosystems they'll spend the rest of their lives advocating for.

Future pathways start with experience

The 12-year-old who discovers marine biology. The teenager who finds their calling in conservation. We design for the moment curiosity becomes a direction — and a life.